Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. -
Pan Trinbago has taken note of the
renewed call by some in our society
for another National Musical
Instrument. We have seen the various
opinions expressed and as the
Governing Body for STEELPAN, we here
state our position on the matter.
In order for an instrument to be
considered to be a National Musical
Instrument, it should be (a)
indigenous to the country and (b)
musical i.e. able to play the songs
of the country.
We know of no other musical
instrument in Trinidad and Tobago
that satisfies these two (2)
criteria other than THE STEELPAN.
We, therefore, state categorically
that THE STEELPAN is the ONLY
NATIONAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.
That persons should consider and
present another instrument to be
accepted as a national musical
instrument, even as it does not
satisfy the criteria betrays a
non-acceptance of THE STEELPAN. That
the instrument(s) being presented is
of
perceived and questionable Indian
origin, betrays a belief that
STEELPAN is African. It also betrays
a notion of affirmative action,
meaning that if STEELPAN is African,
then there must be something Indian.
The puerility of this idea does not
deserve even our censure.
STEELPAN is the musical instrument
that was inspired, born, bred,
developed, refined and matured in
this country and propagated
throughout the world in over fifty
(50) countries. It has given
Trinidad and Tobago an identity that
no other
country can claim, as evidenced by
the distinctive STEELPAN Logo on the
emblems of our National
Organizations and World Events
hosted by us. It was proclaimed the
NATIONAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENT OF
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO on 30th
August, 1992.
We believe that it is not enough to
simply proclaim THE STEELPAN as the
NATIONAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENT, but
also a protocol and a policy must
stand beside that proclamation, and
we have invited the Minister of the
Arts and Multiculturalism to work
with us to develop these tenets.
This statement must not be construed
as a defence of THE STEELPAN as we
do not consider the calls (for
another National Musical Instrument)
to be an attack.
Rather, it is a statement of
education and affirmation as we
consider the calls to be mis-informed,
un-informed and anti-national. How
could a Trinidadian and/or
Tobagonian consider and present
instrument(s) of Middle Eastern
origins to be a NATIONAL INSTRUMENT
of this country? In the fiftieth (50th)
year of Independence we at Pan
Trinbago as representative of ALL
PAN PEOPLE, pledge our organization
and all that we do to the glory of
our nation, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO.
From: Pan Trinbago