I beat my first steelpan at the age of 52 years old! Although I grew up in Laventille, Trinidad, the Mecca of steelpan. My secondary school even had its own band but I never learnt. How did this all come about?! Well 11th August was World Steelpan Day. My friend Thalia Mae of TM Boutique told me the Trinidad & Tobago High Commission, London, was hosting an event to celebrate it. So, Thalia Mae and my other friend Debbie, DNA Designs put on our gladdy rags and off we went. We intended to sit in on a lecture about steelpan, but there was more to experience. It’s been over a decade since I attended an event at the commission. As a student in London, I looked forward to their Christmas Parties. Now, 25 years after moving to England, I celebrated World Steelpan Day there, and it was lit.
A Brief History of the Steel Pan
The steelpan is among the notable 20th-century musical instruments https://www.un.org/ungifts/steel-pans . In 1930s, discarded metal objects, including biscuit tins, oil drums and other containers were used as percussion instruments. It was discovered that by hammering different areas of a metal surface, different musical notes can be created. However, the breakthrough came with the development of the tuned steelpan, made from the bottom of a discarded 55-gallon oil drum.In the 1940 the sound of steelpan rang out in Carnival for the first time! Between the period of 1940’s-1950’s more innovation and growth took place Among the trailblazing innovators were Trinidadians Tobias “Toby” Philmore, Ellie Mannette and Winston “Spree” Simon.
World began to notice steelpan in 1951. The Trinidad All Steel Percussion Orchestra (TAPSO) travelled to the festival of Britain n London. Their tour introuduced steelpan to international audiences. It as in 1963 that the now well known element of carnival the Panorama begun. Today, the steelpan is widely regarded as Trinidad & Tobago’s national instrument.
Fun Fact: The story of the pan is closely connected to Trinidad’s African and Indian heritage, Carnival culture and the creativity of its working-class communities.
When you hear a steelpan orchestra jamming, there is no sound like it and you will never forget what you heard. The instrument has the capability to showcase any genre of music. So, I was thrilled to learn that it now has it’s own day!
About World Steelpan Day
The United Nations General Assembly officially proclaimed World Steelpan Day to be on 11th August in 2023. They acknowledged that ‘the steelpan promotes inclusive societies, sustainable communities and the creative economy and can have a positive impact on mental health and well-being, gender equality and youth empowerment … . Honouring the steelpan comes under UNESCO’s 17-point plan for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Under point 4, Quality Education, section 4.7 “By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development”
Also, under 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities, in section 11.4 it states ‘Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage’
World Steel Pan Day at the Trinidad & Tobago High Commission
Trinidad & Tobago held two days of free celebrations to mark World Steelpan Day. I attended day two, which comprised of a Steelpan Exhibition and a lecture by Professor Haroun Shah entitled ‘A History of Steelpan: a diasporic perspective’, followed by a Learn to Play Pan Workshop. The workshop introduced us to the different notes of the steelpan and taught us how to play a simple melody and song.
When the workshop ended, we were able to demonstrate what we had learnt. No Trinbago celebration is complete without refreshements. The Comission invited attendees to join in dining on dalpuri roti, doules and cold drinks. It was also an opportunity to move around, chat and for those who had not yet seen the steelpan exhibtion, to take a look.
Celebrations drew to a close with a live steelpan performance, but I left before it began. It was a privilege to share the moment with my friends and create new memories in the Trinidad and Tobago High Comission London.
If you would like to discover more about steelpan visit National Archives of Trinidad and Tobago , The Perscussive Arts Society and When Steel Talk.
Get Social
Are you a Trinbagonian national living in the UK. Have you ever attended events at the High Commission in London? Tell me in the comments below.
Remember to follow Trinidad & Tobago High Commission on Instagram and if you have not done so in the past, be sure to register yourself on their database. Have you ever heard steelpan music? Where did you hear it. How did it make you feel? Tell me in the commnets below.
If you want more of a flavour of Trinidad and Tobago, read my interview with Shenelle Hills-Fife, Trini business owner and founder of De Jeunesse.
Finally, CLICK HERE for more in expat life and remember you can find me on Instagram @MsXpat
