‘African’ drumming and the Caribbean

20110807artsonsundayParticularly in the Caribbean the subject of drumming becomes very pertinent whenever African culture or the Month of Black History is celebrated.  This association of drumming with African or Black culture arises from both a recognition of its relevance and a continuing misconception.  This discussion of drumming tries to address both.

It is true that drumming is very important in African culture and plays a number of vital roles therein.  But perhaps that fact might have contributed to a misunderstanding of drumming, and this is noted particularly in the Caribbean.  This misconception has three parts.  First there is a very