You may not know this, but the United Kingdom has a thriving British Caribbean community. Thousands of people migrate from the Caribbean to the UK every year, in fact, and they bring a vibrant culture with them. This diverse community is honoured every year via Caribbean carnivals. From introducing attendees to historic cuisine to showcasing artwork from Caribbean artists, these carnivals offer visitors a unique opportunity to experience a warm and colourful group of people revelling in their origins. Among the many elements of these events, music is potentially the most important.
Why is music an integral part of Caribbean carnivals in the UK?
Caribbean music is more than just a collection of songs with a similar style. It is the result of hundreds of years of history and represents the community’s journey from enslaved to distinct and celebrated. Think of Caribbean music as a form of spoken history highlighted by traditional instruments and ‘flavour’. It offers a unique insight into a history that is sometimes overlooked and under-discussed — one where written accounts are relatively rare.
The music at Caribbean carnivals invites visitors to acknowledge and appreciate the rich culture of a unique and incredibly strong community. It is an integral part of the carnivals because it is an irreplaceable element of the Caribbean experience.
What kind of music is common at Caribbean carnivals in the UK?
If you ever find your way to a Caribbean carnival in the United Kingdom, you’ll experience a variety of traditional subgenres that are deeply rooted in Caribbean culture. The most well-known of them include:
- J’Ouvert
- Steelpan
- Soca
- Sound systems
Each of the above is distinct from one another in sound, but they have one thing in common: their importance to the community. All of them were born of the indomitable strength of the community’s people, showcasing a commitment to preserve and share a history fraught with oppression transformed into one of the most notable communities in the world.
Let’s take a closer look at each of the styles listed above.
J’Ouvert
J’Ouvert is rooted in the Caribbean people’s fight for freedom, not just in the United Kingdom, but around the world. The music is played at dawn at the very start of the carnival and features participants covered in powder, oil, and paint. It is a callback to burning sugar fields, a practice employed by enslaved Africans to defy their oppressors. Over time, J’ouvert became a veritable ritual that survived despite colonial attempts to suppress it.
Steelpan
Because music has always been such an important part of Caribbean culture, it’s no surprise that colonialists attempted to ban its production. In the mid-20th century, this effort took the form of drum bans. The idea was that restricting African drumming would make controlling the community easier. Rather than be silenced, however, the Caribbean people instead turned abandoned oil drums into makeshift instruments. Today this is known as ‘steelpan’ — this style of music demonstrates the innovation and resilience of Caribbean culture.
Soca
The history of soca music is a bit more recent than J’ouvert and steelpan, but no less influential. The genre hails from Trinidad in the 1970s and combines Indian music and Afro-Caribbean beats and rhythms. Soca songs are faster than some of the other styles we’ve discussed and are designed to inspire people to dance. As Soca spread from Trinidad to around the world, it quickly became a core symbol of the community’s rich heritage. It also celebrates the relatively newfound freedom of the group, encouraging listeners to lose themselves in the moment and enjoy wherever the beat takes them.
Sound systems
Sound systems are typically comprised of performers, big screens displaying them, and speakers needed to amplify the music as far as possible. They were formed during the 1940s in the United Kingdom and allowed Caribbean communities to appreciate their music while living in a country where it wasn’t represented on radio stations. Sound systems serve as ‘musical hubs’ and tend to play different types of music ranging from ska to dancehall and everything in between. You might have even heard some of them in your favourite game! Caribbean music has been a staple of game soundtracks for years.
What do you think about the different kinds of music showcased in Caribbean carnivals in the United Kingdom? They all tell a story of a people deeply committed to preserving history and celebrating hard-won freedom.
