Caribbean Music History

Though the most early forms of Puerto Rican music is seldom found in record, several genres of it can be traced back to African Origins. First arriving as slaves to be traded off to work in harvesting sugar. Along with them they brought several different percussion instruments including a subidor. Danza By the late 19th century, a

Africans cultivated their traditions and dances in several coastal towns and municipalities that are currently Loiza, Guayama, Ponce, Cataño. The current African music has been preserved in the instruments that are still heard in the characteristic method of executing them, and in some songs, rhythms and dances that have been preserved by oral tradition. Around the eighteenth century, one of the factors that caused considerable impact on the formation of the Island Music, was the arrival of a group of musicians with a Spanish military regiment in 1765. The activity of these bands, which included public concerts and the music of nature based, religious and social activities, along with traditional festivals at the center of town squares, prosecutes a favorable environment for musical development.

Eric William in chapters seven and nine of his book, “From Columbus to Castro”, provides his readers with an in-depth knowledge about the political and economic history of the Caribbean. Eric William gives his readers the story of how Europeans “discovered” the Caribbean and how they governed it. Thus the various events that took place right from the time of Christopher Columbus, focusing on the colonial sweepstakes pursued by France, England, the Netherlands, Spain, and Denmark. The main idea of chapter seven is how the Caribbean came to be the cock pit of European rivalry and wars in the latter parts of the fifteenth century up to the eighteenth century, an interesting tale of adventure, greed and cruelty. What William offers

In the present age of globalization, it is often forgotten that these world-encompassing processes were initiated with European expansion into the Caribbean beginning more than five hundred years ago. We now see the proliferation of overseas factories enabling owners, producers, and consumers of products to be in widely distant locales. It seems to us that in the search for profits, commercial activity has recently spread to every corner of the earth. We observe that the continual movement of humans across borders results in new forms of hybrid and creolized cultures. And, we feel that the world around us is moving faster and faster: the rapid circulation of

The music of Jamaica includes Jamaican folk music and many popular genres, such as mento, ska, rocksteady, reggae, dub music, dancehall, ska jazz, reggae fusion and related styles. Jamaica's music culture is a fusion of elements from neighboring Caribbean islands such as Trinidad and Tobago (calypso and soca).

Music in Cuba is comprised of a large number of facets that extends beyond just that of musical styles and sounds, including unique instruments, performance and styles of dance. Cuban music culture is regarded as incredibly rich and influential and can be argued to be the most significant music culture in Latin America. The root of Cuban music traditions can be stemmed back to a strong influence by West African and European cultures and music, with African rhythm being fused with Spanish and European music brought by the settlers. It was this combination of African and European immigrants that fused the sound of Cuban music, with the African slaves introducing the sounds of percussion and rhythm that was known to them from home. This saw many different types of drums be introduced to Cuba, primarily the bongos, congas and bata drums.

The African tribal religion that Europeans named Voodoo is known for its mystical secrets. Voodoo existed a long time before organized religions like Christianity and Hinduism. The way of life for the indigenous people of Africa was to keep a constant contact with the spirits in nature. This religion originates from Africa and eventually moved into the Caribbean by traveling slaves. Eventually, this powerful, culture spread to Europe, and the Americas. Many practice this sacred religion every day to protect their families, financially support their families, and for guidance. Voodoo devotees acknowledge their deceased ancestors and spirits who have protected the individuals throughout their lives. Practitioners engage in rituals to say thank you, to celebrate victory, and to ask for prosperity. Often animal sacrifice has negative outlook, although it should not because the meat is shared with family

As the island’s regional populations transformed due to these migrations, older forms of music declined, and new variations of music were created with new content and context. Other U.S. influenced factors contributing to this situation were trade routes, and advances in transportation and roadbuilding. These new variations of Puerto Rican music became part of Puerto Rican culture. Yet, had it not been for United States interference in the lives of Puerto Ricans, these particular musical forms never would have developed.

As was related by the Spanish, the first account of Indigenous Caribbean music was a religious ceremony called areito. In this ceremony, around 1,000 people danced in circles around the musicians located in the center. Using the “call-and-response” style of music that is common among the indigenous peoples, the musicians would chant and play music using an array of idiophones and slit wood drums. Although this civilization was brought to near extinction save the few who reside in few sparse villages. Following this, black slaves were brought in as laborers and their influence along with the European influence and the Amerindians created a mixture of the cultures. Although the Indian culture is not seen except for some language or vocabulary,

The instruments used in the rumba each play a key part and are essential in constructing the unique sound of the rumba. The claves, a pair of wooden sticks struck against one another, begin the rumba. They help keep the rhythm and often accelerate the pulse and vary the patterns of the rumba. They also set the tempo and the mood of the rumba. The Conga drums, also essential, are barrel shaped and have varying pitches. The most important conga is the quinto, or lead drum. Its’ function is to improvise. The Cata is a bamboo or wooden tube played with sticks. It gets its name from the sound that it makes. The Madruga is an iron shaker that helps keep a steady basic pulse. The Cajones are wooden packing cases that are beat on like drums. They originated from when laws were passed banning the use of real drums due to the colonists’ fear of slave insurrections.

Assignment #1 The influence of Africans in Dominican Republic music Dominican Republic is mainly known for Merengue and Bachata music, but there are other music forms that were played on the island of Hispaniola long before the music that most relate to that country. The slaves brought that music that is heard on the entire island and it was transmitted for over 500 years. However, most Dominicans do not recognize this music as their own because they consider it as more Haitian because of its African origins. Many have tried to disassociate themselves from their African-Slave background. Nowadays, it seems that more Dominicans are starting to pay attention to these forms of music.

The Caribbean is a vastly diverse area representing the effects of colonialism, slavery, and the combination of many cultures.

The Evolution of Reggae Music Reggae has sustained the test of time and remains one of the world's last genuine folk music. The evolution of Reggae music can be traced back to the early 1900's with 'Mento', which is a simple music art form of Jamaican folk music with strong African roots. Reggae music is protest songs against racism, corruption and injustice. It has close links with a religion based around the Bible that is re-interpreted from a black's perspective, 'Rastafarianism'.

The evolution of Caribbean Literature started centuries before the Europeans graced these shores and continues to develop today. Quite noticeably, it developed in a manner which transcended all language barriers and cultures. Today the languages of the Caribbean are rooted in that of the colonial powers - France, Britain, Spain and Holland - whose historical encounters are quite evident throughout the region. The cosmopolitan nature of the region's language and cultural diversity develop from the mixture of European languages with Native American languages (mainly the Caribs and Arawaks) in the formation of creoles and local patois (hybrid languages) and those of Africans brought to the Caribbean as