BARBADOS: MUSIC AND DANCE

The music of Barbados is similar to that of other islands in the Caribbean. A lot of its music is mainly influenced by Trinidad and Tobago (like calypso) but also Jamaica, ultimately stemming from various African styles. Like Antigua and Barbuda, British music also has its influences in its music and dance.

Tuk bands consist of double-headed bass drum, flute, triangle, and a snare drum, and sometimes a pennywhistle or fiddle. Tuk bands have their basis in the colonial British military bands. However, the musicians borrow from African traditions and perform dressed in costumes based on different characters.

Spouge (also spelled as spooge) is a type of music that is like a cross between ska (one of my absolute favorite genres of music!) and calypso. Dalton Bishop (performing as Jackie Opel) created the genre in the 1960s. It got really popular really quickly, and has been thought of as Barbados' version of Jamaican ska. However, Bishop died at the age of 32.

Folk music, heavily influenced by both traditional British music as well as African music, is also the music of many folk dances as well. Latin, jazz, and East Indian rhythms and influences also can be heard in various folk songs.

Dancing has been a part of Barbadian culture since the beginning. Many of these dances are performed at festivals which include Crop Over or at Landship (more of an informal performance organization, specializing in cultural arts). The Jean and Johnnie dance, an important dance in Barbados' history, was actually a fertility dance, where men and women could show off to each other. However, it was banned in the 19th century for what the British associated with "non-Christian African traditions."

Most Barbadian music is centered around percussion. It's like the center piece on the table. And at the head and foot of the table are string instruments and wind instrument. Many of these instruments are made from natural materials, like shells, wood, etc.

If there is one popular singer whose name keeps coming up over and over and over again when I did practically every search about Barbados, it would be international superstar Rihanna. Now while I wouldn't say I'm a HUGE fan of hers, I do like a lot of her songs (like the song "Disturbia." For some reason, I'm just not tired of that song. Yet.). I do admire her many hairstyles, many of which I could never get away with. She made huge headlines a few years ago, not for her many awards, but for her tumultuous relationship with Chris Brown, for which she was also recently criticized for her still-palpitating feelings for Brown. However, she's so popular in her native Barbados that a few years ago, they gave her her own day (which fell on her birthday.)

Another musician with ties to Barbados is Grandmaster Funk, who was born in in Bridgetown but grew up in the South Bronx in New York. He's been credited with the invention of the crossfade, basically a switch from one turntable to another. My husband, my local expert on all things hip/hop and house music, doubts that, but thinks maybe he was just one of the ones who exclusively used it first. He was, however, inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007 as the first hip-hop/rap artist.

Up next: the food!

BARBADOS: THE LAND AND THE PEOPLE

Located in the southern part of the Caribbean, the island nation of Barbados lies north of Trinidad and Tobago and east of the islands of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The name itself is somewhat vague as to its origin: some attribute it to the Spanish word meaning "bearded," possibly in reference to low-hanging trees. Its reference is also related to the name of the island of Barbuda (as in Antigua and Barbuda).

While the Portuguese and the Spanish had actually visited the island originally, by the time the British arrived, it was unoccupied. Some historians think the Spanish may have taken what Indian tribes were there as slaves to another island. The British set up the capital as Bridgetown, and the island was used as a stop in the slave trade, mostly for cultivating tobacco, ginger, indigo, ginger, and sugar cane. During the 1830s, the British emancipated slavery, and many stayed. However, during the mid-1900s, many Afro-Barbadians left for Britain.

Because it was claimed as a British territory, English is the official language. Although, Bajan is used amongst the locals in casual situations. Bajan (rhymes with "cajun") is a local dialect that consists of various parts of English syntax and words mixed with some African words and used as a term to indicate not only the native dialect but also for anything Barbadian.

The vast majority of the people are of African origin, but there are small numbers of whites, East Indians and other East Asians. Christianity (of various denominations) is the dominant religion of Barbados as well, with of course a small smattering of Rastafarians, Hindus, and other religions.

Barbados is doing some really good things. First off, they enjoy national health care. Second of all, 100% of urban and rural areas have access to clean water and sanitation. Thirdly, they have some of the highest literacy rates: about 99.7%!

One thing I read was that it's illegal in Barbados for civilians to wear camouflage; only military personnel are allowed and authorized to do so. So, sorry Destiny's Child "Survivor" video. Not gonna cut it.

Speaking of, one of Barbados' most famous residents is the internationally renowned singer Rihanna. In fact, a few years ago, the prime minister declared a Rihanna Day on her birthday, but it was just a one time affair. That's nothing: I get that treatment every year. (At least in my head anyhow.)

I'm looking forward to delving into Barbados this week. Ok, really, it's just that I've already got my recipes together, and I'm hungry. The spices, the fruits, it all looks good to me. It's this mix of British and Caribbean that makes Barbadian food and culture what it is. It always amazes me that a country that I had little fore-knowledge about always intrigues me to learn more. And Barbados is no exception.