West India Regiment
| CALYPSO: A WORLD MUSIC |
| West India Regiment |
Africa |
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During the mid-twentieth century, calypso became popular in British colonies in West Africa, including Sierra Leone, Ghana (Gold Coast) and Nigeria. Caribbean sailors visited West African ports and Caribbean professionals settled in the region. People from the Caribbean and Africa also interacted with each other in England. Gradually, calypso records reached West Africa. The recordings of England-based calypsonian Lord Kitchener were particularly popular. Kitchener was also featured on the BBC's African radio service. |
 Sierra Leone Music |
During the early twentieth century, "palm-wine" music gained
popularity in port cities of West Africa. A blend of Atlantic sea shanties
and African musical traditions, this music featured the guitar as a lead
instrument. Sailors from Liberia, in particular, helped to spread the
new music across West Africa. By the 1940s, calypso had a substantial
influence on palm wine music, particularly the "maringa" style
of Ebenezer Calender, the son of a Barbadian soldier who had come to Sierra
Leone with the West India Regiment. Maringa was popular in Sierra Leone
during the 1950s and 1960s; both Decca and local companies issued numerous
recordings. Like calypsos, maringas commented on political events and
everyday life. |
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In the 1940s and 1950s, calypso also influenced the local dance band "highlife" music of Ghana. During World War II, small highlife combos increasingly experimented with jazz styles, due in part to the influence of American and British troops stationed in the country. Following the war, the Tempos, led by trumpeter/saxophonist E. T. Mensah, became the dominant highlife band. The Tempos' drummer, Guy Warren, introduced calypso to the band, after encountering the music in England. During the 1950s, E. T. Mensah and the Tempos toured throughout West Africa and recorded with Decca. Highlife songs offered commentary on a variety of topics, ranging from the political independence of African colonies to relationships between the sexes.
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