About
The Start of Something Wonderful
The idea of having a steelband in Aotearoa was developed in 2005 by a small group of Caribbean Islanders living in Auckland – Thomas Samuel, Rose Thomas, Malaika Theobald, Joan Prentice, Nancy de Freitras, Gail Bailey and Camille Nakhid.
The group organized a couple of fetes with Caribbean music and food in order to raise funds for the steelband. The group approached a number of companies for sponsorship but was turned down because the companies felt that the music was virtually unknown and had little history in the South Pacific.
A successful application for a grant was made to the Pacific Sports and Community Trust which awarded the group $11,000. Through the group’s contact in Trinidad, Benedict Chatoor, the group was able to purchase a set of steelpans from Lincoln Enterprises in Trinidad and Tobago. Under the initial tutelage of Thomas Samuel, the Caribbeanz Southern Stars Steelband has developed into Aotearoa / New Zealand’s first and only steelband.
Origins
Trinidad and Tobago is the birthplace of the steelpan, the only musical instrument to be invented in the twentieth century.The steelpan or steeldrum has its origins in the drumming tradition of the African groups that now reside in these islands.
Both the indigenous Caribs that first inhabited these islands and the East Indians that came as indentured labourers also had their own traditional type of drumming.
History
Banned!
The beating of drums was a significant aspect of the Africans’ Shango religion. In 1797, after Spain surrendered the islands of Trinidad and Tobago to the British, the drums were banned for fear that the drumming would be used to send messages that would inspire rebellion.
This ban prompted the Africans to use bamboo, cut at different lengths, to produce different sounds. They formed bands called ‘tamboo bamboo’ bands. Unfortunately, as rival bands would clash during celebrations and use the bamboo as weapons, the police also banned the bamboo instruments.
Steelpan is born
Still, in the hills of Laventille, in central Port of Spain on the island of Trinidad, the drums continued to beat in secret as the islanders sought to maintain the practice of the Shango religion. The biscuit tin replaced the bamboo drums when it was discovered that the tin covers could be made to produce some musical notes. It was then found that by indenting the surfaces of the fifty- five gallon drums used by the Americans during World War II, a range of musical tones could be made. The length to which the drums were cut permitted complete scales from the bass to the soprano.
The early pioneers of the steelbands were from the poor, low income areas and consequently the steelpan was marginalized and shunned by the middle and upper classes. The steelbands were readily accepted by youth from other low income communities and soon music from the steelpans surrounded and filled these neighbourhoods. The social stigma remained with this musical instrument and is reflected in the names taken by the steelbands – Desperadoes, Invaders, Renegades.
Many people are credited with the development of the steelpan. Andrew Beddoe, an accomplished drummer whose skills shifted from the traditional African drums to the biscuit; Winston ‘Spree’ Simon, who made the transition from the biscuit tin to the steelpan; Ellie Mannette, Tony Williams; Bertie Marshall and Rudolph Charles.
Present
Following their independence from Britain in 1962, the government set about changing the image of the steelbands. The steelpan became the national instrument of the Caribbean islands and the pan players were its musical ambassadors. The steelband is now accepted by music lovers all over the world and tribute is paid to its original inventors.
Steelbands can range from 4 players to orchestras with over 300 steelpans. All types of music can be played on the pans, from calypso to jazz to classical. There are more than 190 steelbands in Trinidad and Tobago and more than 800 steelbands in countries around the world including 300 in the United Kingdom, 240 in the United States, 130 in Switzerland, and one in Aotearoa/ New Zealand.
References: Williams, Eric (1942) History of the people of Trinidad and Tobago. New York: A & B Publishers Group.
www.trinbagopan.com
www.steelisland.com
www.wikipedia.org
New Zealand