Folk Fiesta
The Folk Fiesta is one of the few competitive elements contained within the Tobago Heritage Festival. The event is designed to show case the artistry of the various performers in the areas of Folk Music, Dance (Traditional and Interpretive Folk) and Drums.
Traditional speech-band characters are a favorite among the many patrons. The Folk Fiesta is a family event with activities and excitement that commence in the mid-afternoon at the Signal Hill Senior Comprehensive School. Categories include: Drumology, Speech-band, Tambrin Music, Folk Singing, Religious Singing, Traditional Tobago Dance, African Dance, Pan Solo, Folk Story Telling or Poetry.
Tonight’s competitors were drawn from Mason Hall, Roxborough, Mt. Cullane Folk Group, Pembroke and Les Coteaux among others. If one were to answer the question "what impressions will you leave here with", one may be tempted to answer "the music of the voices that I heard". The answer is a bit enigmatic since the word ‘voice’ can be either literal or figurative. Whichever way you take it the performers ensured that you ‘heard’ them.
The Drumology reminds one of the myth that surrounds the African drums. The drum in African lore is reputedly a channel to invoke the spirits of the various loa. The performers know how to make the drums speak, for indeed there are several voices that can be heard, distinctly just like an orchestra. Added to which there is the individual styles of the various groups, the expressions used and even the variances in instruments used that blend to give each group a unique sound. A unique voice.
Among other colourful voices heard were the renditions of the various Folk Songs by Pembroke, Rising Stars Cultural Theatre and Tourism Adventures among the groups performing tonight. These songs - renditions of Negro Spirituals and Folk songs indigenous to Tobago, seemed to give one glimpses into the heart of the community.
Vibrant Dance lit up the final portion of the competitions and the spotlight was on the Congo Bele. The dance resembles a flower in motion, combining the grace and pageantry of the Bele with the vibrance of the Congo. Five groups will compete tonight to see who wins the mastery of this motion.