THE STORY OF BIG DRUM

Video Courtesy of Urban Sound Station

The Big Drum dance was orginated in Africa and was brought to the caribbean as part of our culture.

Here in Union the Big Drum dance is performed during celebrations, like a wedding, a feast or a family reunion.  It is also used for bringing the rain at the beginning of the planting season; this Festiveal is called the Maroon.

The Maroon starts at early morning with prayer service, continues during the day with cooking of various foods to be shared freely with everyone, then on to the Maroon Dance at the Juntion by night.  The various dances are Nation Damce, Callenda, Bongay and Cheerup.  These dances are done within a circle which must be blessed with water, rum, and rice in rememberance of our ancestors.  Dances are done by women weating long wide skirts and men dancing with a towel or colorful fabric.

BIG DRUM UNION ISLAND

Video Courtesy of Urban Sound Station