Caribbean Politics and Music

1. Caribbean Politics and Music

2. Jamaica: Colonial History and Slavery • Christopher Columbus home • Became one of the largest sugar producer • British conquest: 1655 • Jamaica history is central to British abolition of slavery • Slaves outnumber whites 20/1 • Rebellions: more than on all other British colonies put together: • Coromantees • Maroons: independent runaway slave communities • Made possible by size, low density and topography of Jamaica • Helped capture runaway slaves

3. Jamaica leads end of slavery • Antislavery crusade in Great Britain • Shift in moral values influenced by Methodist and Anglican churches • Abolition of slave trade gathers force starting in 1797 • Enacted in 1806 • Rebellions on islands complement GB movement • Grew after 1815 • Slaves no longer informed on each other • Jamaica slave rebellion of 1831: 60,000 slaves took part, 200 sugar estates burned • Slavery abolished in 1833: Emancipation Act of 1834

4. Post Slavery Jamaica • Difficult to maintain profitable sugar production • Economic decline • Racial relationships deteriorate • Few new immigrants • “Crown colony” system of government • By 1850’s, 1/3 of legislators are black • 1866:the Morant Bay uprising reverses progress in representative government • Return of direct rule from England (except in Barbados and the Bahamas)

5. Modern Jamaica • Within the context of Direct Rule • Emergence of associations and labor unions • Orchestrate gradual transition to independent government • Universal adult suffrage • Members of assembly can make laws • Leader of largest party takes over for governor • Leading critics of direct rule were colored professionals, who later became the first leaders towards independence • Two leaders in Jamaica: Bustamente and Manley alternate power until 1962. • 1958: West Indies Federation • Defeated by unwillingness of Jamaica and Trinidad/Tobago

6. Modern Jamaica • Norman Manley and Bustamente retire • Michael Manley and Popular Culture • Rises to party leadership in 1969 • Looked white, but “brown” heritage • Educated and elite; son of former president • Late 1960’s: emergence of civil rights movement in US/Black Power • Racial struggles emerge in Jamaica • Manley is elected in direct response to civil rights movement • Democratic Socialism • Attracted to Cuba, friends with Castro and other African non-aligned countries • Partial socialism

7. Jamaican music • Ska and rock steady • Ska is fusion of Jamaican mento and US rock and roll (first international ska hit: “my boy lollipop”) • Origins of reggae--?? • 1968: “Do the Raygay”: Toots and the Maytalls: • Jimmy Cliff, Bob Marley, Desmond Dekker and the Israelites • “Roots Reggae” political, associated with Rastafarianism • Reggae legends • Bob Marley • “The Harder They Come”

8. Rastafarianism • Originated in 1930s from Jamaican black political activism, • Inspired by Marcus Garvey’s “Back to Africa” movement • Transnational Rastafari • 1 million world wide: US, Brazil, Europe, Japan, NZ, Cuba • 60% of Jamaicans • Jah • Ras Tafari = Haile Selassie, former emperor of Ethiopia is the messiah • “Rastas” • Babylon and Zion • Ganja, Dreadlocks, Reggae

9. Jamaica in the 1980’s/1990’s • Electoral politics, Rasta and reggae intertwined • Manley uses the symbols and music to sustain his power and in turn these groups grow and reap some benefits during his administration • Opponents (Seaga also vie for (esp. Marley’s) endorsements • Manley leads until 1980 • Defeated by economic crisis (and the CIA?) • Reagan intervenes with the Caribbean Basin Initiative • Returns again in 1986, • Much more moderate this time around • Works with IMF, privatization, multilateralism • Retires due to health in 1992 • 1990’s: Jamaica suffers from drug trafficking and violence that threaten its tourist industry.

10. Trinidad and Tobago Oil = Prosperity

11. T and T Exceptionalism • History diverges from other Caribbean islands  only one with OIL • Subsidizes the economy extensively • Ethnic diversity • East Indian, Syrian, other Islamic groups, Chinese • British control: Colony of Trinidad and Tobago 1889 • Indentured Asian immigrants help tide over during post slavery era • Post WWII: US military bases • Transition to independence • 1958: West Indies Federation • 1962: Independence

12. Modern T and T • Led by Eric Williams • Attracted foreign investors • 1971: Black power revolt: riots and arson • 1973 Arab oil embargo wealth for T and T • Williams responds to people’s demands: • Nationalized much of the oil industry • Spent lavishly on • Education • Public works • Welfare • Housing • Economic development • Gov employs 2/3 of workers

13. Modern T and T • By 1980: more control over gov than anywhere except Cuba • Economic depression • Unemployment • Rising foreign debt IMF, SAPs, austerity • 1990: Abu Bakr Coup (Black Muslims supported by Quadaffi) • mid 1990’s: Coalition of Black and Indian politicians • New oil and gas reserves discovered: • Port Liasas industrial park: petrochemical industries

14. Calypso • Slave music • with African origins (Kaiso) • Songs used to communicate because they were forbidden to talk with one another • Multi ethnic influences: • African, Spanish, French, East Indian • Became linked with Carnival (French influence) • Song leader: Griot, Chantuelle, Calypsonian • Social commentary, laced with humor and also risqué

15. Calypso • Famous Calypsonians: Attila the Hun, Lord Invader, Roaring Lion, Lord Kitchener • Mighty Sparrow: • music facilitated the removal of US from Trinidad and independence • CARICOM awarded him the “Order of the Caribbean” for his contribution to development • Recent fusions: • Soca: up tempo, more “party music” less socially conscious • Rapso—fusion with rap

16. Jamaica Steel Drum Music • Early origins: • No musical instruments • Innovation with what was available