Afro-Caribbean music is a broad term for music styles originating in the Caribbean from the African diaspora. These distinctive musical art forms came about from the cultural mingling of African, Indigenous, and European inhabitants. Characteristically, Afro-Caribbean music incorporates components, instruments and influences from a variety of African cultures, as well as Indigenous and European cultures.
Afro-Caribbean music has been influenced by historical and stylistic influences. Historically, Afro-Caribbean music was influenced by the transatlantic slave trade and later, by the resistance and emancipation of slaves. Afro-Caribbean music dates back as far as the 15th century, when the slave trade began. Although afro-Caribbean music existed for centuries, local recording and distribution officially began in the 1920s. Some of the earlier afro-Caribbean sub-genres to emerge included calypso, merengue, son, reggae and salsa. Many of these sub-genres have been validated in recent years due to a newfound appreciation of afro-Caribbean culture and tradition. The collaboration of African states with European slave traders stimulated the slave trade, eliminating the need for kidnapping or effort by the European slavers. This effectively saw Haiti as the first nation in the world to abolish slavery. Following the Haitian revolution, Britain concluded the importation of slaves in 1807 and began the process of abolition in 1823. Although the slave trade was abolished in Britain in the early 19th century, the slave trade continued via the Iberian Peninsula until as late as 1873. Dominant African influences include those from the Bantu, Kongo, Fon and Yoruba peoples. This is largely reflective of the fact that many slaves were from Western or Central Africa due to their proximity to the Atlantic seaboard. The lyrics of afro-Caribbean music are most commonly in European languages such as Spanish, English or French. Over time, African elements, such as percussion and call-and-response invocations, were combined with traditional European elements. These rhythms are often created using drums such as the batá. This technique was brought to the Caribbean by slaves that came from Western and Central Africa. Call-and-response invocations are used throughout the afro-Caribbean music genre, and particularly in the music derived from Cuba. Drums are used in many Rituals and ceremonies such as the Haitian vodun ceremony. The influence of the drums in afro-Caribbean music is mixed with many popular drum varieties originating in Latin America, Europe and Africa. Traditionally, a batá drum would consist of a wooden base with drumheads made of skin, pulled taut, at each end.
Bombo
Main article: bombo drum
The bombo drum (also known as the bombo criollo) is another drum commonly seen in afro-Caribbean music. This drum is of South American origin and is commonly used in indigenous music of the region. Bongos are similar to congas in shape, however, they are smaller and commonly played in pairs. There are two variations of bongo drums that produce different pitches.
Maracas
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Main article: Maracas
Maracas (also called boîte à de clous, caraxa, mussamba) are handheld rattles consisting of a hollow vessel (such as a Gourds or Turtle shells), filled with small items (such as Seeds, nuts or shells), attached to a handle. The Maraca is shaken to produce a rattle sound which is used to maintain tempo and rhythm. The balls are then struck by hand to produce a rattling sound. The bells consist of a hollow, conical shaped item that jingles when shaken or struck. These regional varieties of guitars are based on classic European guitars such as the Spanish vihuela. Son Cubano incorporates European and African instruments and musical components. African influence is seen in the use of percussive instruments such as bongos, congas and claves. This sub-genre is a modernised version of another afro-Cuban music genre, Son cubano. In addition to Son Cubano, salsa is influenced by the danzón, rumba, guaracha, cha-cha-cha, mambo and a variety of other afro-Caribbean genres. Calypso music is played in time and utilises syncopated rhythms. Soca was influenced by other afro-Caribbean music styles such as reggae, calypso and salsa.) is a type of afro-Caribbean folk music that originated in Jamaica. This genre was a precursor of other afro-Caribbean sub-genres such as ska and reggae. Mento incorporates African rhythmic elements, such as the drums, with European elements, such as the guitar and the use of melodies. This means that emphasis is placed on the second and fourth beats of the time signature. The lyrics in reggae music are closely aligned with the Rastafarian religion and focus on themes of politics and spirituality. Through these lyrics, reggae has made public the issues of the poverty and inequality present in Jamaica. Key Rastafarian philosophies contribute to the African influence of reggae music. These philosophies include African nationalism and a desire to live separate from European culture. Merengue incorporates many African elements such as the use of call and response invocations, drums and guiros. European elements that are included in merengue include use of the cuatro guitar, harmonic melodies and the accordion.