Creolization in the Caribbean Music-Dutch

 Dutch speaking regions of the Caribbean

Tambu is a music style that is common to the Dutch Leeward islands. While commonly found on Aruba, Gangelhoff and Legrand (2016) posit that the word is taken to mean a dance and music that accompanies the dance -as well as the drum used to play the music. The tambu drum is an example of membranophone made from sheep-skin and characterizes and call-and-response singing where some participants contribute through clapping of hands and thumping of feet. Couples playing the tambu dance often refrain from physical touching making it different from other couple dances that invest of physical contact. Jong (2010) adds that Tambu emerged from slavery in the ABC islands; specifically Curacao and is connected to ethnic groups which used the music and dance to establish “varying senses of  individual and collective belonging. The tambu (drum) is a crucial instrument that is used to play tabu music and is generally a sheep-skin drum made out of “a hollowed-out log or rum barrel.” (Gangelhoff & LeGrand, 2016). I chose tambu music because it resembles bele which is also a dance and music style at the same time.


Image demonstrating the Tambu drum.

Source: https://149363308.v2.pressablecdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/graphic-tambu.jpg




This video link shows how a tambu drum is played and also how tambu music is played in general. It also shows the importance of tambu dance and music. The reason I chose this video is because it’s part of a documentary series on tambu music.

Part 1 of 6 - Introduction

http://youtu.be/T-rmVnpc7u4

 

Part 2 of 6 - Role of the Church

http://youtu.be/BjcttXP2uZk

 

Part 3 of 6 - Dance

http://youtu.be/7kjoqD87Ses

 

Part 4 of 6 - Music

http://youtu.be/ckhXenuhbi8

 

Part 5 of 6 - More Tambu!

http://youtu.be/HAodrcIcM7M

 

Part 6 of 6 -- More Info and Credits (and info in credits!)

http://youtu.be/k11cn2OkhvA



This video link is for a performance for tambu by Muziektheatercollectief Het Volksoperahuis and Teatro Luna Blou; an example of tambu music. The song features a story about two brothers. 

Tambutronic is another example of creolization in music in the Dutch speaking regions of the Caribbean. Having being invented by an infamous percussionist Roel Calister. Calister fuses tambu rhythms with electronic music giving tambutronic a popular appeal. Tambutronic employs the application of traditional music elements. Calister’s band, Kuenta I Tambu has a video presentation of tambutronic below;


I chose this video because it demonstrates the fusion of the traditional beats with the electric feeling in popular music. The video also brings this fusion to life through showcasing the traditional instruments while maintaining a modern look appeal. The song is even sang in Papiamentu,- a creole language in the ABC islands. Kuenta I tambu means stories and drums in Papiamentu and the band is among the leading artists in this genre. Tambu drums are used as a crucial music instrument in addition to other electronic instruments like the keyboard are used in creating tambutronic music.

 



Image for keyboard piano.

Source: https://www.winstonmusic.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/ctx800f_website.png


Aruban Tutu is a cuisine in Aruba and comprises of  “fried cornmeal mush, or funchi, that has been enriched with beans, bacon and brown sugar,”Laura, 2015). I chose this cuisine because the idea of bacon and beans is intoxicating. It mus be sweet. Below is an image of the food.


Source: https://www.thespicedlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Arubian-Tutu-1-1-of-1.jpg






Recipe on how to make Aruban Tutu.




References

 

De Jong, N. (2010). The Tambú of Curaçao: Historical projections and the ritual map of experience. Black Music Research Journal, 30(2), 197-214.

Gangelhoff C. and LeGrand C. (2019) Tour de force: A musical jouney of the Carribean

Laura, S. (2015). Aruban tut. Retrirved from : https://www.thespicedlife.com/aruban-tutu/

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