Big Drum Dancing
The following information was taken from Dwight Logan's book 'The Socio - Cultural History of Petite Martinique A fishing island Community'.
Also known as the African Nation Dance, the Big Drum Dance originated from africa. It is a significant feature of the Petite Martinique fork Culture. This drumming and dancing are held on such occasions as the launching of a vessel, during a wedding day, at a Maroon festival, at a Tombstone Feast, the yearly anniversary of the death of an individual, and if a dream reveals that an individual should have such and activity in his/her yard.
The instruments used are two drums and a shac-shac. The tupes of drums used are the bula drum and the cutter drum. These drums are made from a small wooden rumbarrel. One end of the barrel is open and the other is covered with goatskin. the bula is covered with the ram's skin and the cut or cutter with the female goat's skin
The songs used dduring the dance reflect stories, 'Commesse' (gossip), and repatriation to Africa. They also speak of Petite Martiniquan's everydayness; their bravery and spirit, frustration and worries,, bad luck and grieveness. The songs are sung in creole English (broken English) and patois (French Creole) with ethnic african phrases included. They are usually sung in a statement and answer pattern.
The dance begins by welcoming the dead or ancestors into the ring where the dancing will take place. The ring is a human circle that is form around the drum leaving a vacant space in the center for dancing. A pathway leading to the dancing area is also left vacant; this is done so that the spirit of the dead will move freely into the ring. Dancers must not start dancing until three songs welcoming the dead into the ring are sung.
When the third wecoming song begins members of the family hosting the dance form a line and go around the ring pouring rum and water on the ground. It is called 'wetting the ring'. In the process, they would call on their ancestors to accept the sacrifice. During all this, there is much foot and waist movements. A variety of dances comprise a big drum dance namely: Bongo, Kalingda, cheer-up, and Hallechurcde. Each dance has it's own set of songs and drum beat. For example, the song 'Bongo a, bongo sumalay, bongo three times a day, bongo sumaly,' is a song for the bongo dance (The dance to this song has a sexual connotation). The song 'Woman woman, you son in the jail already take a towel and band you belly' is a song for the Kalinda dance. This song is suggesting that if something has already occured we must accept it. The Kalinda is a dance which makes the dancer appear intoxicated. The dancer usually falls to the ground as if the spirit of the ancestors have over-powered him/her.