Big drum: Grenada musical instrument

The big drum is a genre and a musical instrument from the Windward Islands. The big drum is also a type of Caribbean music, linked mostly closely with the music of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Carriacou in Grenada and in the music of Saint Kitts and Nevis.

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The people of Carriacou perform the Big Drum dance that celebrates their west African ancestors that were brought to the island during the slavery era. These big drum dances are often performed at the Maroons village festivals of fretes, where food and drink are arranged.

They can also be danced at wakes and tombstone feast in honor of dead relatibves or marriage occasions, tomb stone raisings, fishing boat launchings and in the case of ill-health or fortune. In each of the occasion, the primary focus is twofold; remembering lineage and respecting the ancestors. The music is made up of singing and chanting typically joined by three drums shakers and the maracas.

Vincentian big drums are traditionally produced from tree trunks, but are more often manufacture from the rum kegs in the modern day. The socially aware or satirical lyrics are often played by a female singer that is known as chantwell, and is accompanied by dancers in colorful skirts and headdresses. Big drum is generally played at wedding and other celebrations, specifically the launching of boats.