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The Plummeting Value of Caribbean Traditions; Trinidad and Tobago Calypso Music

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The Plummeting Value of Caribbean Traditions; Trinidad and Tobago Calypso Music

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The Caribbean has been a powerful exporter of culture in a variety fields, regardless of its small size.  One of the popular export is probably music and this can be related to the similarities in the cultural production across the Caribbean. The music of the Caribbean people can be traced back to the days of slavery as African and European elements came together to produce new forms of music.  “Caribbean music, while diverse, has its roots in the neo-Indian culture and later in the interactions between enslaved African and Europeans.”  (Foun1101, Unit 7)

Out of the cultural music customs of the people on the Caribbean island of Trinidad and Tobago developed the tradition of carnival which became the basis for calypso music. “By the 1920’s regular calypso performances were held in special ‘tents’ ahead of carnival.  Calypsonians commented on political events, often attacking local politicians but they also sang about relations between the sexes.” (Heuman, 2014). The belief that calypso music is losing its value and depth is stated in an article titled, “Carnival Then and Now”, published by the Trinidad and Tobago Guardian Newspaper on Monday, February 6, 2012.
http://www.guardian.co.tt/gie/2012-02-04/carnivalthen-and-now
The writer spoke of the current issues affecting the popular carnival celebrations such as, the intense preparation and high cost of gaining a masqueraders costume, attending expensive all-inclusive popular parties and the change in traditional calypso music. “It would be a shame for our children to grow up in Trinidad and never get to hear a good calypso…let us not forget where it started”, stated the writer.

Critically analyzing the current events after the publication of this article, it is evident that the traditional culture of Trinidad carnival and calypso music is losing its value.  There is limited media available to the public about the history and significance of calypso music.  The calypsonians are currently aged and retired from the music industry and there also a decrease in national platforms available to showcase calypso music. These issues can be improved by keeping the history and traditional practices that surround the use of calypso music involved in the educational curriculum of all schools in Trinidad and Tobago.  The continuation of National Events that showcases new and upcoming calypsonians and the continued support of veteran calypsonians, through tribunal events and documentaries.

Calypso Rose is on such veteran calypsonian artist that originated from Trinidad and Tobago. “Calypso is for dancing, but also for storytelling,” she says. “You should dance but also listen”.

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Jamaica’s Social Environment; Reaction to Dancehall Music

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Jamaica’s Social Environment; Reaction to Dancehall Music

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A genre of music known as dancehall, emerged in Jamaica in the late 1970’s, partly as a derivative of reggae but with a different focus. Dancehall was dominated by the lyrics which was highly controversial. In the 21st century, dancehall music is dominated by male performers who emphasizes lyrics that promote the glorification of violence towards women and sexual immoralities.  One example of this comes from the lyrics of a popular dancehall artist Adidja Azim Palmer better known as Vybz Kartel, song titled ‘It Bend like Banana’:

Whine up yu body cah mi waah yu
Tight pussy gal cocky call yu
Baby, dis a weh mi wahh yu do
Come wine up yu tight pussy pon da cocky yah

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKY6CPnnH3w

When this song or dancehall music with similar instructional derogative dancehall music is played at events and parties, women of various ages can be seen moving in actions that mimic the instructions stated in the lyrics. In the social environment of the Caribbean, men generally hold the view that women are subject to their every desire.

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Has the historical gender role of the creole society influence affected the perceptual views of women today?
Why do women accept what is seen as a discriminating role in society?

Gender roles of the creole society of the Caribbean have been influenced by various contributing factors more than 200 years ago.  The Neo-Indian lifestyle supported the bias towards women.  Women were considered as commodities, used for sexual pleasure and were subjected to the demands of their masculine partners.  The incursion of European slave masters used women for entertainment and sexual gains.  Women were raped and sodomized and used only for sexual intercourse.  This continued into the era of slavery, some women were not placed into the fields of hard labor but instead used for sex and consider as mediocre by the slave masters.  Even after slavery men saw women with similar attitudes of the Europeans, Spanish, French and Dutch slave owners.  Considering the body of women as a tool for entertainment remained in the customs of Caribbean men and surprisingly of some women.

Female dancehall artists also support and follow the demands of men to be revealing and derogative in society.  Throughout history, women have been dominated by the males of society.  There was a minimal choice for women to step up and not be subjected to the demands of the dominating male society.  The role of being suppressed and inferior to men is easily accepted by some women today.   Grace Latoya Hamilton, known professionally as Spice, is a Jamaican dancehall recording artist, singer, and songwriter whose lyrics always supports, condones and instruct women to be sexually entertaining and physically exposed for the pleasures of men.

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The Negative Effect of Dancehall Music on Youths of the Caribbean

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The Negative Effect of Dancehall Music on Youths of the Caribbean

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Throughout the Caribbean, music, in general, is known to play an important part in the behaviors of young people.  Recently in the Jamaican society, dancehall music is becoming more popular than ever, particularly among teenagers. This has brought about concern as there is a general perception that there is a direct correlation between dancehall music and the misbehavior of young people. Dancehall music as an art form has great influences on the youths.

According to an article, published by the Jamaica Observer on Saturday, April 23, 2016, titled, ‘Police want study on effects of dancehall music on crime’, shows evidence that the lyrics of the dancehall music has become influential on the young people of the Jamaican society. Commissioner of Police Dr. Carl Williams addressed journalist at a meeting in order to emphasize the importance and willingness to support a detailed study of the link between violent dancehall lyrics and crime because the police are convinced that the two are not unrelated.  The commissioner stated, “If you speak about violence, sing about violence, and you are violent, then there must be some correlation there.”
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Police-want-study-on-effects-of-dancehall-music-on-crime_58703

Studies have shown that young people have become victim to peer pressure and easily influenced by the society. Teenagers idolize many of the dancehall artists and mimic the lyrics in order to become members of informal groups or gain the acceptance of their peers.   An example of this influence relates to popular dancehall artist Vybz Kartel.  In 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2013, the artist released songs promoting the social acceptance of skin bleaching. Skin bleaching also is known as skin lightening or skin whitening is the practice of using various chemicals (usually dermatological topical products such as Maxi White and Neoprosone, pills such as Glutathione and even sometimes over the counter products such as toothpaste) with the intent to lighten skin tone, reducing melanin concentration.  Teenagers immediately accepted and began to adapt the practice of skin bleaching.

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Dancehall music has become a symbol of explicit sexual imagery and violence. Despite the positive effects dancehall music might have on young people, it has become more a pathway for moral degradation with young people of the Caribbean.

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Self-evaluation of the Caribbean Civilization Course 

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Self-evaluation of the Caribbean Civilization Course 

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A reflective summary giving my feelings and opinions about the learning I acquired in the Caribbean Civilization Course, Semester 3-2016/2017, at University of the West Indies, Trinidad and Tobago.

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Foundation 1101, Caribbean Civilization Course, (Units 1-8). 2016/2017.The University of the West Indies, St Augustine. Trinidad and Tobago

Heuman, G. (2014). The Caribbean; A brief history (2nd ed.). New York: Bloomsbury.

Troeder, W. (2004). Reggae: from mento to dancehall. Kingston, Jamaica: LHM Publishing Limited