Written piece
Steel in We Mas
Cherry-Ann Keller-Cathlin
Trinidad and Tobago
About this piece
Trinbago Carnival and the Steelpan was born out of resistance to colonial authority by enslaved Africans and indentured laborers. From Canboulay to Carnival, Skin Drums to Steelpan, we pay homage to the creativity and ancestral traditions our forefathers fought to preserve.
Chantwell called, Kalinda clashed
Limbo bent low and danced
Cane Fields burnt, under whips we rose
Canboulay rioting to show our stance
Midnight Robber bragging loud
Moko Jumbie guarding the street
Dame Lorraine mocking elegance
Jab Molassie chained, yet free
The beat of the Skin Drum silenced
Tamboo Bamboo answered the call
Oil drums pounding, Steelpan rising
The greatest show was born
Masquerading from Port of Spain streets
To Brooklyn West Indian Day Parade
Toronto, Miami to Notting Hill
Carnival history was made
Out of chains came steel and mas
Freedom through blood was won
Threads of our past, stretches into our future
Connecting and carrying on