The Guadeloupean boula is a hand drum, similar to the tambou bèlè, and is used in gwo ka and special occasions likes wakes, wrestling matches and Carnival celebrations.
[2][3] The boula of Trinidad and Tobago accompanies the stick-fighting dance called kalenda, and is a double-headed barrel drum, played open-handed.
[4] The inhabitants of Carriacou perform the "Big Drum", "Gwa Tambu", or "Nation" dance to celebrate their West African ancestors that were brought to the island during slavery.
These Big Drum dances are usually performed at "Maroons", also known as village festivals held in spring to call for rain, and fetes, where food and drink are prepared.
They can also be danced at wakes and tombstone feasts in honor of dead relatives to lay them to rest, marriage ceremonies, fishing boat launchings, and in the case of ill-health or ill-fortune.
While food is prepared during the day in large pots over fire, the actual Big Drum Dance ceremony starts at night.
This song praises the famed Akan deity, Anansi, and asks for the sins of the community to be forgiven, simultaneously venerating the Cromanti ancestors.
Other nation songs follow, honoring the Temne, Hausa, Igbo, Arada, Quail Bay (Bakongo), Moko, Chamba, and Mandinka nations/ancestors.
The Big Drum Dance is concluded with two songs, "In My Own Native Land/Mon Konn Kongo Kon Mwen Vle" and "Bring the Powder".
After losing a battle with the British, Kromanti Cudjoe and his friend, Fedon, fled to Carriacou and helped start the Big Drum Dance evolve.
The Guadeloupean boula is a hand drum, similar to the tambou bèlè, and is used in gwo ka and special occasions likes wakes, wrestling matches and Carnival celebrations.
The socially aware or satirical lyrics are usually performed by a female singer called a chantwell, and is accompanied by dancers in colorful skirts and headresses.