TASSA MUSIC

Where did Tassa Music come from?

When you are wining up to that sweet tassa music in a fete, have you ever wondered about its origin?

Tassa music was develop by the Indo-Trinidadian culture and is an important part of life for the Indo-Caribbean. Trinidad & Tobago's Indian descendents makes up nearly half of the country's population. Trinidadian tassa music is an offshoot of the North Indian dhol-tasha drumming tradition.

So How Did Tassa Music Come to the Caribbean?

When British colonies abolished slavery in the 1830s, plantation owners had to figure out another scam to trick people into do their hard labor. The plantation owners devised a new system of indentured (or contracted) labor that would bring thousands of people from various parts of the British Empire to the Pacific islands, and the Caribbean. The wages of these indentured workers were extremely low, so much so that some historians have characterized indentureship as just a different form of slavery. (FYI - This is how the term "Coolie" was derived. The word "Coolie" originated from the hindi word for baggage carrier and means a worker who can be hired cheaply. Today, referring to an Indo-Caribbean as a "coolie" is derogatory!)

Tassa music flowing from the tassa drum design

The Tassa Drum is a bowl-shaped drum that is hung from the neck and played with two thin and very flexible sticks. In Trinidad, tassa is always accompanied by the dhol (a double-headed bass drum played with one stick and one open hand) and jhal (a pair of thick brass hand cymbals). It takes at least four players to play all the parts of the ensemble. The "cutter," or lead tassa player, directs the ensemble through a series of standardized taals, or rhythmic calls. Additionally, the cutter adds flair to the music through improvisation, often using rapid-fire rolls and ear-splitting "shots."

The foule is the accompanying tassa part that consists of standardized ostinato patterns. The bass, jhal, and foule provide a rhythmic base upon which the cutter improvises. Tassa rhythms are called "hands" and vary greatly, ranging from processional hands played at a moderate walking tempo to very fast, up-beat hands meant for dancing.

Where Do You Hear Tassa Music?

The drums are not necessarily sacred, but are important for Caribbean Hindu weddings and for the Shi'a Muslim Hosay observance (the local name for Muharram). Tassa bands are essential for:

- the annual Hosay observance

- portions of the three-day set of Hindu wedding rituals

And for all manner of cultural and national celebrations, such as Carnival celebrations, parties, and other cultural events of all kinds.

To get back to main page - CLICK HERE