Excuse me, did you say a land *ship*?
Creative endeavors usually fall into three categories: (i) something you have to do (i.e. job), (ii) something you want to do (i.e. hobby, or job), or (iii) shit that just presents itself to you as you navigate the usual obstacles in everyday life (i.e. state of mind). People used to (i) or (ii) are more receptive to (iii), but those used to (iii) usually can't remember the last time they weren't high, or where they put the damn cookie dough. I usually straddle between these two extremes, as C is never tired of saying "Does it hurt to sometimes be you?" whenever my brain decides to go all lucid on my ass. So it was with great pleasure that I stumbled on the "Barbados Landship", a funny little dance performed by Bajans dressed up as British naval officers:
What struck me at first wasn't its silliness, however, it was the music led by what is known in these parts as a "Tuk Band" -- a troupe with a flute (or sax), snare and bass drums, and a triangle. It was infectious - a bit military but also fast and rhythmic. The rest of the Caribbean thinks this "traditional" Bajan dance extremely entertaining, entertaining only because the dancers and organization take themselves a little too seriously for a dance that is essentially a satire of all things British and military. But good satire usually takes itself seriously, and I can't help but wonder about the creative insight the founder had about this "Landship" -- most certainly a (iii).
Now, the official story behind the Landship is that it was created by a former officer of the British Navy, a Bajan no-less, who wanted to recreate (usually read "mimic") the comraderie of military life. Most scholars are skeptical about this, arguing that it was a 'creolization' - a mixture of two very different cultures to create something novel. The problem with this politicized reading is that it takes all the fun out of the spectacle.
And tonight, the Barbados Museum will honour the Landship with the launching of a heritage project: a book on the melodies of the penny whistle, a video documentary (available on Google Video), and a website (designed by yours truly).
I'll post more pictures of the event by the end of the week.
