Creolization of English Speaking Caribbean islands

 May 26, 2022

Chapter 1 Creolization of English Speaking Caribbean islands

1. The musical genre Rake and Scrape is predominately heard in the Bahamas. The Rake and Scrape style is similar to Turks and Caicos Ripsaw music style. (Gangelhoff & LeGrand, pg. 42). A defining characteristic of this music style is the sound of the metal scraping rhythmically across the teeth of a handsaw (Gangelhoff & LeGrand, pg. 42). 

Another source describes rake and scrape as played on a two button accordion, a hand saw and goatskin drum. ( Rommen, 2011).

Here is an image depicting a rake and scrape band

Photo extracted from: http://www.kariculture.net/en/rake-n-scrape-the-saw-as-main-musical-instrument/

Below is a video of Ancient Man's song "Call the Fire Engine". This video contains some samples of rake and scrape along with some authentic Bahamian story telling. I chose this song because this is one of my favorite songs by him and he is actually my cousin's step father. The song "Call the fire engine" features instruments such as a hand saw, bass guitar and an accordion. The music style combines African music elements with European music elements. The music style Calypso which traditionally came from Turks and Caicos is now fused into Bahamian culture in the form rake and scrape.

2.  The musical genre Quelbe is a prominent folk music tradition in the US Virgin Islands. Quelbe bands were often called "scratch bands"  (Gangelhoff & LeGrand, pg. 89). It is the local version of the quadrille music style. Another description of quelbe music can be found on ("The Jamesie Project", 2012). The article describes how scratch bands where formed and what instruments were used. It also talked about how scratch originated and how the African slaves made their music.

Here is a picture of a local scratch band

Photo extracted from: https://www.jamesieproject.com/history.html

Below is a video of a group of individuals doing a quadrille dance. The video shows the creolization of African dances mixed with European elements. Quadrille was primarily played in a ballroom setting . The video displays instruments such as a banjo, saxophone, hand saw and drums in the background. Early scratch bands typically created their instruments with available material. I selected this this video because I found the dance pretty interesting. It reminded me of learning the dicey doe in elementary school.