Meredith, Sharon (2002) Tuk in Barbados : the history, development and recontextualisation of a musical genre. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.

Preview

PDF WRAP_Theses_Meredith_2016.pdf - Submitted Version - Requires a PDF viewer. Download (33Mb) | Preview

Request Changes to record.

Abstract

This thesis is the first major investigation of tuk and documents an important part of Barbados' heritage. It also opens up opportunities for further research to be undertaken in Barbadian music and in related fields elsewhere in the Caribbean region.

This thesis explores the history, development and recontextualisation of Barbadian tuk music. The history of Barbados is examined before considering Barbadian culture and how a Barbadian national identity was increasingly sought during the twentieth century, particularly after Independence. Music during the period of slavery, African music and British military music, the major influences on tuk, are explored before a study of the instruments, rhythms and repertoire of tuk. Types of tuk, and tuk-type musics elsewhere are examined and tuk is compared with other musics. Modern tuk musicians, their treatment of tuk, and how tuk has been, and continues to be, recontextualised is explored.

The history, organisation and roles of the Barbados Landship, an organisation modelled on the British Royal Navy, but which never goes to sea, are considered together with the Landship's relationship with the tuk band. Finally, an overview of music and festivals in Barbados today places tuk in the country's musical scene.

This thesis argues that tuk is predominantly a music that originated from imitating European military fife and drum bands, and that the African elements of it are to be found in rhythmic improvisation and some African retentions that have direct parallels with military fife and drum bands. It also argues that tuk exhibits characteristics similar to musics found elsewhere that can be attributed to the effects of the slave trade, colonialism and migration. In addition, the thesis argues that the Landship's relationship with the tuk band is a continuation of a naval tradition.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Subjects:	M Music and Books on Music > M Music
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Tuk (Music) -- History and criticism, Blacks -- Barbados -- Music -- History and criticism, Blacks -- Barbados -- Social life and customs, Music -- Social aspects -- Barbados
Official Date:	November 2002
Dates:	Date Event November 2002 Submitted
Institution:	University of Warwick
Theses Department:	Centre for Caribbean Studies
Thesis Type:	PhD
Publication Status:	Unpublished
Supervisor(s)/Advisor:	Gilmore, John, 1956-
Format of File:	pdf
Extent:	xiv, 337 leaves : illustrations
Language:	eng

Request changes or add full text files to a record

Repository staff actions (login required)

View Item

Downloads