Carnival, Canboulay and Calypso Traditions in the Making [Paperback]

This book traces the evolution of Carnival in Trinidad and beyond, using fascinating documentary evidence.Starting from the days of slavery and following through to the first decades of the twentieth century, this book traces the evolution of Carnival and secular black music in Trinidad and beyond. Calypso emerged as the pre-eminent Carnival song from the end of the nineteenth century and the early commercial recordings are discussed. Considerable use is made of contemporary newspaper reports. colonial documents, travelogues, oral history and folklore, providing an authoritative treatment of a fascinating story in popular cultural history.Starting from the days of slavery and following through to the first decades of the twentieth century, this book traces the evolution of Carnival and secular black music in Trinidad and beyond. Calypso emerged as the pre-eminent Carnival song from the end of the nineteenth century and the early commercial recordings are discussed. Considerable use is made of contemporary newspaper reports. colonial documents, travelogues, oral history and folklore, providing an authoritative treatment of a fascinating story in popular cultural history.Starting from the days of slavery and following through to the first decades of the twentieth century, this book traces the evolution of Carnival and secular black music in Trinidad and beyond. Calypso emerged as the preeminent Carnival song form at the end of the nineteenth century and its association with the festival is investigated, as are the first commercial recordings by Trinidad performers. Considerable use is made of contemporary newspaper reports, colonial documents, travelogues, oral history and folklore, providing an authoritative treatment of a fascinating story in popular cultural history.1. Background to West Indian music; 2. 'Pain nous ka mang?': music, carnival and events 17831869; 3. 'Not a cent to buy rice': poverty, revelry and riots, 18701896; 4. 'Iron Duke in the land': bannerslӔ