Florida State University Libraries Electronic Theses, Treatises and Dissertations The Graduate School 2006 Finding an "Equal" Place: How the Designation of the Steelpan as the National Instrument Heightened Identity Relations in Trinidad and Tobago Daina Nathaniel Follow this and additional works at the FSU Digital Library. For more information, please contact [email protected] THE FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATION FINDING AN “EQUAL” PLACE: HOW THE DESIGNATION OF THE STEELPAN AS THE NATIONAL INSTRUMENT HEIGHTENED IDENTITY RELATIONS IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO By DAINA NATHANIEL A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Communication in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Degree Awarded: Fall Semester, 2006 Copyright © 2006 Daina Nathaniel All Rights Reserved The members of the Committee approve the dissertation of Daina Nathaniel defended on July 20th, 2006. _____________________________ Steve McDowell Professor Directing Dissertation _____________________________ Phil Steinberg Outside Committee Member _____________________________ John Mayo Committee Member _____________________________ Danielle Wiese Committee Member Approved: _____________________________________ Steve McDowell, Chair, Department of Communication _____________________________________ John Mayo, Dean, College of Communication The Office of Graduate Studies has verified and approved the above named committee members. ii This project is dedicated to the memory of my late father, Danrod Nathaniel, without whose wisdom, love and support in my formative years, this level of achievement would not have been possible. I know that where you are now you can still rejoice in my accomplishments. R.I.P. 01/11/04 iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS “Stand in the space that God has created for you …” It is said that if you do not stand for something, you will fall for anything. It is therefore appropriate for me to stand by my faith and thank God, His holy angels and saints with whose help, guidance, protection and strength, this work would not be possible. Often people ask me how I managed to complete this work in a matter of nine months from comprehensive exams to dissertation defense. I have shied away from telling them that I prayed, although that is exactly what I did. But my prayers were not alone but instead were joined with those of my mother, sister, extended family and many friends. I thank them. I thank God. “I wouldn’t take nothing from my journey …” This path to acquiring the PhD was wrought with hard times and challenges that should have stopped me along the way. From the death of my father and other family members, broken bones and other illness, scarce finances and friends, amidst a cloud of doubt regarding my ability to finish, I marshaled through every hurdle, knowing that this day would come. As a wise priest once said, there is no growth without suffering. “Grant us peace in our day …” Peace does not only come in the form of that inner sense of stability but from the knowing that you have a space in the lives of others who care about you regardless of time, distance and circumstance. I want to say sincere thanks to my mother, because in this life of limited words, it is all I have to let you know how much I appreciate your time, prayers, and other undying forms of support that you never hesitated to extend my way. This thanks is not just for this time but for all time. You have shown me what true faith and grace under fire is all about. To my sister Karene, my ceaseless cheerleader, your wisdom and selflessness stands as an example of what it truly means to extend oneself to another. Thank you for your love and your belief in my worth as a human being. To my other family members, I appreciate your quiet support and long-standing prayers that kept me moving forward when I was prone to give up. To my friends iv especially Natasha, Anthea, Brian and Audrey who remind me all the time what genuine friendship is all about. Your love and support have blurred the lines between friendship and family. To my adviser, Dr. Steve McDowell, I was blessed to have worked with you because I was always assured of your guidance coupled with your quiet belief that I could stick to the timetable I had set for myself. A true teacher knows how to correct and encourage at the same time and after every meeting with you, I believed that I could continue moving toward completion. To the other members of my committee, Dr. John Mayo, Dr. Danielle Wiese and Dr. Phil Steinberg, thank you for always challenging me to do more, to dig deeper and to push forward. Your interest in my work was always encouraging. Finally, a special thank you to Ollie and Shelby. In your own way, you kept me going everyday, steadfast in your support and tireless in your love. You have taught me a level of unmatched loyalty. “And when the night has been too lonely and road has been too long, and you think that love is only for the lucky and the strong, just remember in the winter, far beneath the bitter snow lies the seed that with the sun’s love in the Spring becomes the rose.” v TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT vi CHAPTER I. THE PROBLEM Introduction 1 History of the Steelband 3 Purpose of the Study and Research Questions 7 Significance of the Study 8 Structure of the Dissertation 11 II. REVIEW OF LITERATURE Introduction 15 Toward a National Identity in a Multicultural Nation The Concept of Nation 16 Defining National Identity 20 The Broad Impact of National Identity 22 Cultural Identity as Part of National Identity 25 Postcolonialism: Establishing a National Identity After Colonialism 26 Nation and Cultural Policy 29 A Cultural Studies Approach to the Study of Nation and Cultural Policy 32 Summary of Literature Review 34 Research Questions 35 III. METHODOLOGY Introduction 37 Overview of Research Design 37 Document Research 39 Personal Interviews 41 Population and Sample Documents 43 People 45 Participant Observation 46 Access and Entry 50 Reliability and Validity 50 Documents 51 People 52 Data Collection 54 Document Review 54 vi Interviewing 56 Data Analysis 58 Analysis of Interview Material 58 Document Analysis 59 Cultural Studies Analysis 60 IV. FINDING A VOICE: THE HISTORY OF THE STEELPAN IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO THROUGH INDEPENDENCE Introduction 63 A Brief History of Trinidad and Tobago 65 Steelpan Before World War II: From African Drum to Biscuit Tin 68 The Emergence of the Steelpan in the aftermath of World War II 71 The Impact of Colonialism 77 The Indians and the Africans 78 The Steelpan Through Independence 82 Conclusion Summary 88 Analysis 89 V. FINDING THE “INDIGENOUS”: THE DECLARATION OF THE STEELPAN AS THE NATIONAL INSTRUMENT Introduction 92 State of the Nation in 1992 94 Thirtieth Independence Anniversary 94 The Aftermath of Carifesta V 99 Trinidad Under Siege – The 1990 Attempted Coup 102 Threats From Foreign Interests 104 Citizens React to the Declaration 104 Time for the Panman 105 Toward a Trinbagonian Identity 106 Representation of the Nation 108 The Politics of Culture 109 A Call for Action 110 No I in Steelpan 112 View From the Other Side 114 Conclusion Summary 116 Analysis 117 VI. FINDING THE “NATIONAL”: PAN AND THE NATION IN THE 21ST CENTURY Introduction 121 vii The Steelpan Movement Since 1992 122 Standardization and Patenting of the Steelpan 125 Government Involvement in Culture 128 Finding an Equal Place 130 Perspectives on the Notion of ‘National’ 135 Conclusion Summary 136 Analysis 138 VII. FINDING THE EXPERIENCE: PAN IN LIVE PERFORMANCE Introduction 141 Character of the Steelpan in the New Millennium From Panyard to Panyard 143 Farewell to the Savannah 145 Celebrations on Coffee Street 149 Defining the Trinidadian 151 Conclusion Summary 152 Analysis 153 VIII. CREATING AN “EQUAL” PLACE: CONCLUSIONS FROM THE STUDY Introduction 157 Trinidad and Tobago’s Multicultural National Identity 159 The Steelpan as a Valuable Part of the National Fabric of Trinidad and Tobago 160 Government as the Facilitator Culture 163 Fostering a National Identity 166 Revisiting Key Theoretical Concepts 168 Multicultural Nations and National Identity Satisfying Divergent Ethnic Communities 168 Creating a Global Identity 171 Levels of National Identity 171 Cultural Policy in Multicultural Nations Balancing Politics and Culture Through Policy 172 Defining Cultural Representation 174 Postcolonialism and National Identity 176 A National Instrument in a Multicultural Nation 178 Limitations of the Study and Suggestions for Future Research Limitations of the Study 180 Suggestions for Future Research 184 viii APPENDICES A: List of interview questions 187 B: List of newspaper articles 189 C: List of interviewees 193 D. Human Subjects Approval Letter 194 E: Informed Consent Form 195 BIBLIOGRAPHY 197 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH 205 ix ABSTRACT The purpose of this study is to examine the nature of national identity in a postcolonial, multicultural nation. Trinidad and Tobago became independent from Britain in 1962 and given its multicultural population, ethnic, political and cultural harmony continue to be point of contention. In 1992, the steelpan was declared the national instrument of this West Indian nation, which won the approval of many but unearthed the dissatisfaction of others. Thus, using the case study of the steelpan in Trinidad and Tobago, this study focuses on the debate surrounding the appropriateness of the steelpan as the national instrument, in an attempt to examine the concerns of ethnic communities in a multicultural nation as they try to find a sense of identity on the national level. Through the examination of newspaper archives, government documents, personal interviews and participant observation, the findings indicate that national identity should be understood beyond the indigenous nature of a cultural practice, and the ethnic community with which it is associated, and instead, should focus on the cross-cultural appeal of the cultural practice as the primary indicator of whether it should be accorded “national” status.