Carnival, Canboulay and Calypso
Traditions in the Making

This book traces the evolution of Carnival in Trinidad and beyond, using fascinating documentary evidence.

John Cowley (Author)

9780521653893, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 4 February 1999

312 pages, 21 b/w illus. 2 maps
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.8 cm, 0.47 kg

' … a meticulously researched and immensely rich piece of cultural history. Cowley has produced the definite study of Trinidad's Carnival in all its many aspects for the period up to 1920.' Slavery and Abolition

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 the links that existed with other territories and beyond. Calypso emerged as the pre-eminent Carnival song from the end of the nineteenth century and its association with the festival is investigated, as are the first commercial recordings by Trinidad performers. These featured stringband instrumentals, 'calipsos' and stickfighting 'kalendas' (a carnival style popular from the last quarter of the nineteenth century). The emphasis of the book is on history, and great 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 mangé': music, carnival and events 1783–1869
3. 'Not a cent to buy rice': poverty, revelry and riots, 1870–1896
4. 'Iron Duke in the land': banners, bands and music 1897–1920
5. Creole musical traditions: Africa, the Caribbean and beyond
Notes
Bibliography
Discography
Index.

Subject Areas: Music: styles & genres [AVG]