Trinidad and Tobago Culture - Music

Music

Main article: Music of Trinidad and Tobago

Calypso music developed together with Carnival. The chantuelle, who spoke for the band, evolved into the calypsonian (and other characters, such as the Midnight Robber). The music, which drew upon African and French influences, became the voice of the people. It allowed the masses to challenge the doings of the unelected Governor and Legislative Council, and the elected town councils of Port of Spain and San Fernando. As English replaced patois (Creole French) as the dominant language, calypso migrated into English, and in so doing it attracted more attention from the government. Calypso continued to play an important role in political expression, and also served to document the history of Trinidad and Tobago.

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Famous quotes containing the word music:

    How little it takes to make us happy! The sound of a bagpipe.—Without music life would be a mistake. The German even imagines God as singing songs.
    Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900)

    Morning work! By the blushes of Aurora and the music of Memnon, what should be man’s morning work in this world?
    Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)

    Noble and wise men once believed in the music of the spheres: noble and wise men still continue to believe in the “moral significance of existence.” But one day even this sphere-music will no longer be audible to them! They will wake up and take note that their ears were dreaming.
    Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900)