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ICH DOMAIN (2) PERFORMING ARTS
2.1 Performing of Folk/ Traditional Songs
Surviving
Singing songs originating among the people of a country or area, passed by oral tradition from one singer or generation to the next.
2.1.1 Mr. Jambole
Surviving
A work song that was used to accompany the arrowroot tradition in Colombier in the North. The song itself is about a man from Colombier who owed someone a dollar bill and explains how Mr. Jambole got on his donkey. It is a song that is performed during cultural events and performances, in choirs and during activities at schools and on the southern side of the island of St. Maarten.
2.1.2 Mama Make Yo’ Johnny Cakes Christmas Comin’
Surviving
A festive tune with a calypso rhythm played during the Christmas season throughout the island and other parts of the Caribbean.
2.1.3 Good Mornin’, Good Mornin’, I Come Fo’ Meh Guavaberry
Surviving
A song sung during the Christmas season. In the olden days, serenaders would sing the song as they went from house to house. In return, the residents of the home would offer the serenaders a glass of Guavaberry.
2.2 Performing of Traditional Dance
Surviving
Performing of a folk dance of the common people of a country or region.
2.2.1 Ponum Dance
Surviving
A dance of emancipation or freedom created when Slavery was abolished on the island. The accompanying song was reportedly sung by the recently emancipated, who had known about the impending abolition, though the slave master tried to hide the information from them. So when the slave master made the official announcement, the joke was “pon ’um” (on him).
2.2.2 May Pole Dance
Declining
It is a dance of European origin that involves persons plaiting ribbons while moving around a pole.
2.2.3 Moko Jumbie (stilt dancers/walkers)
Surviving
A form of festive stilt walking and dancing, said to be West African in origin. In the olden days, the Moko Jumbie, a larger-than-life character, instilled fear and obedience in children.
2.2.4 3-Step Polka
Declining
A form of creolized polka that consists of step and swing movements and was usually danced to string-band music, performed by popular local bands such as Tanny and the Boys.
2.2.6 Waltz (Dance)
Declining
A dance of European origin that includes two persons holding each other, turning across the floor in movements of 3 steps (in triple time).
2.2.7 Quadrille (Kwadrill)
Declining
A dance of European origin but creolized by African retentions and consist typically of four couples forming a square.
2.3 Performing of Traditional Music (Genre)
Surviving
Performing of folk music during festivities and social events
2.3.1 String Band Music
Declining
Folkloric music consisting of mainly string and some wind and percussion instruments
2.3.2 Calypso Music
Surviving
A style of Caribbean folk music which draws upon African rhythmic influences and usually performed during the annual Carnival season. Calypso songs are essentially based on local political and social issues.
2.3.3 Drum Band Music
Thriving
Music made by a band consisting of hand-drums and other percussion and wind instruments. Drum band music originated in Africa.
2.3.4 Bottleneck Music
Surviving
Music is made by blowing into a broken off bottleneck. Bottleneck music is played during the Christmas season for serenading purposes and during cultural and other festive events.
2.3.5 Steel Pan Music
Thriving
Music made from the steel pan, usually performed during ceremonies, festivals, and other organized events. Steel pan lessons are a part of the music curriculum in some schools and in private programs.
2.4 Playing of traditional musical instruments
Surviving
Folk musical instruments used when performing traditional music, but not limited to, string bands, drum bands, and Calypso performances.
2.4.1 Cowbell
Declining
A bell like a cowbell used as a hand percussion instrument in various styles of music on the island, including Calypso, drum band, and string band.
2.4.2 Marimba
Declining
A bass instrument made from wood with steel springs placed around the front to give different tones. The musician sits on top of the marimba to play it.
2.4.3 Guiro
Declining
A percussion instrument consisting of an open-ended hallow gourd, with parallel notches cut on one side. It is played by rubbing a stick or an afro pick to produce a ratchet sound.
2.4.4 Tambora
Declining
A two-headed drum played in string band music.
2.4.5 Palitos/Clavis
Declining
A pair of sticks that are banged together to provide percussion rhythm.
2.4.6 Tambourine
Surviving
A shallow percussion instrument with metallic rings that jingle. It is most often used during church services and cultural performances and taught in music classes in schools.
2.4.8 Banjo
Declining
A string instrument, with a long neck and circular body, played by strumming, plucking, or picking the strings. It is used in the string band.
2.4.9 Conch Shell
Declining
Also known as a seashell horn, it makes a variety of sounds depending on the specific techniques used by the musician. It is usually blown during rituals and ceremonies.
2.4.10 Drum
Thriving
A barrel-shaped percussion instrument, sounded by beating with hands or sticks. Used in just about all local bands.
2.4.11 Tire Rim
Declining
An instrument made of a tire rim. The rim is struck by a metal rod at different angles to produce various sounds. It is used in string bands.
2.4.12 Bath Pan Bass
Declining
An instrument created from a metal bathtub with a string attached to the bottom center of the tub and to a stick, which the musician plucks on to make music.
2.4.13 Hoe
Declining
An instrument created using a hoe and a metal rod. The hoe is struck by the metal rod at different angles to produce various sounds. It is used in string bands.
2.4.14 Harmonica/Mouth Organ
Declining
A small wind instrument held against the lips and moved from side to side to produce different notes when blown into. It is used in string bands.
2.4.15 Accordion
Declining
A box-shaped wind instrument consisting of a folded central part and a keyboard. It is played by pushing the two ends toward each other and using keys and buttons to make the notes. It is used in string bands.
2.4.16 Marcas
Surviving
A percussion instrument in the form of a hallow gourd or gourd-shaped container filled with dry beans or pebbles and usually played, in pairs, by being shaken. It is used in string bands and during church services.
2.4.17 Steelpan
Thriving
A percussion instrument made of an oil drum and originating in Trinidad. The steelpan is beaten and tuned to produce different sounds. It is used during cultural performances.