From Brown History on Instagram:
“Did you know that in 1884, the British colonial government in Trinidad & Tobago banned "the beating of any drum, the blowing of any horn, or the use of any other noisy instrument"?
Drumming is an integral part of celebrations for many communities on the island. However, this did not deter the people; instead, it strengthened their resolve to preserve their traditions and religious customs.
Afro-Trinidadians discovered bamboo drums, known as "tamboo bamboo," as a popular new way to sustain the rhythms essential to their culture (see video). By the late 1930s, tamboo bamboo players began turning to metal objects like kitchen utensils, pots, pans, and buckets to create music.
The discovery of oil near the island's shores, coupled with WW II, brought hundreds of thousands of American 55-gallon oil drums to Trinidad. These discarded drums eventually paved the way for steelpans, now recognized as the national instrument of Trinidad & Tobago.
The drumming ban also affected East Indians. The "tassa" drum was central to their religious practices, particularly in Muslim observances. In 1884, more regulations banned the Hosay processions, which honors the martyrdom of Hussain, the grandson of the Prophet.
In an act of civil disobedience, a group of Indian laborers defied the suppression by continuing the Muharram procession as usual, beating tassa drums and carrying tajahs. They believed the law was unjust. However, as the procession passed, police opened fire on the crowd of men, women, and children. Between 18 and 20 people were killed, and hundreds were injured. This tragedy came to be known as "The Hosay Massacre of 1884." The British, however, referred to it as "The Hosay Riots."
Despite historical tensions, the drumming traditions of East Indians and Africans became a shared cultural bond. Over time, these traditions influenced each other, with Afro-Trinidadians playing tassa drums and Indo-Trinidadians performing in steelbands. Hosay has since evolved to include the wider community, becoming a shared event.
Source: Steel Drums and Steelbands by Angela Smith”
