UN Declares August 11th World Steel Pan Day
The United Nations has officially declared August eleventh as World Steel Pan Day in celebration of the century-old instrument which was first developed in Trinidad and Tobago. Doctor Lennox Pike and Sir Colville Young are accredited as the first to introduce the instrument to Belize. It has since become an integral part of celebratory events in the country, particularly during the national celebrations in September. In 1965, Doctors Pike and Young returned to Belize from studies at UWI Mona Campus in Jamaica to form the All Star Steel Band, the country’s first steel band. The formation of the All Star Steel Band laid the foundation for all other steel bands in Belize. News Five’s Paul Lopez takes a look a look at the growing popularity of this cultural instrument in Belize in tonight’s installment of Kolcha Tuesday.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
Julietta Burrowes has been the director of Panerrifix Steel Band since its inception in 2005. In 1997, prior to her role as director, Burrowes became a member of the Pantempters Steel Orchestra. The Pantempters Steel Orchestra began in 1992, as a university steel band at the University College of Belize where former Governor General, Sir Colville Young was once the president.
Julietta Burrowes
Julietta Burrowes, Director, Panerrifix Steel Band
“This band started eighteen years ago after a donation from the former Governor General of Belize, Sir Colville Young and it took off immediately. We made our debut only a couple months after first getting the instruments and rehearsing at a children’s rally here in Belmopan. After that it just off.”
The Panerrifix Steel Band has played numerous local and international gigs over its almost two decades of existence. The band has since grown to form several groups, namely the Panerrifix Juniors, High Schoolers, Seniors and the Miss and Ketch Band. In 2017, they organized the first Pan Yaad Belmopan Edition.
Julietta Burrowes
“The steel pan is a very versatile instrument. It has the entire scale that you would need to play any type of music and genre of music. It is easy adaptable to all styles of music. So, whether you are a soca fan or a reggae fanatic or even a classical musician like me initially, in can be adapted to all styles of music. So, it appeals to just about everybody.”
The thirty-year-old Pantempters Steel Orchestra also played a role in shaping Alexander Evan’s musical career. Evans is a steel pan soloist and the founding director of both the Pandemonium and UB Steel Bands.
Alexander Evans
Alexander Evans, Pan Soloist
“I always tell people that the steel pan is the ultimate symbol of afro Caribbean ingenuity and resilience because the invention of the instrument came about as a result of defying limitations that were put on our people, our brothers and sisters in Trinidad and Tobago because they are just like in a lot of places, use of drums and drums and drums were banned were outlawed. As an alternative they started beating on drums and realized that if they make indentations in the drum and hit that spot it makes a pitch sound and it just kind of grew from there and they got really inventive in how they can do it using the oil drums that were already there.”
So, from Sir Colville Young in the sixties to Burrowes in the late nineties and Alexander Evans in 2017, the steel pan has been a part of Belize’s cultural identity for more than six decades. Upon her return, Samantha Mahung, a senior band member of Panerrifix Steel Band, was appointed the drill mistress of her band. She recently returned to Belize from her studies in Jamaica and she is intent on carrying on the instrument’s legacy.
Samantha Mahung
Samantha Mahung, Senior Member, Panerrifix Steel Band
“I will always remember the year I wanted to try out I couldn’t try out because I was too short. So, I had to wait another year until I grew a little bit more ever since then it was history. I still love it. It was the only instrument I really gravitated towards and stayed with over the years. I would like to think like any other instrument it takes a lot of putting yourself into a situation where you are just giving a large percentage of yourself to make sure that you grow in that skill. So getting that discipline is definitely something that has been transferred into other aspects of my life. I would like to say that playing an instrument like the steel pan you are able to grow on your own and in a band you are able to grow with other people around you. It works on your social skills. I like to think it helps with math because you read music a lot and it’s a lot of math in your head.”
The Steel Pan is a staple of Belize’s national celebrations events. In September, the instrument is a prominent feature in the carnival road march and various official events. But nowhere else is steel pan more highlighted in Belize than during the annual Pan Yaad Steel Band Concert. After nearly a century since the instrument emerged, the United Nations has officially declared August eleventh as World Steel Pan Day.
Julietta Burrowes
“We piggy back on the accomplishments of great steel pan players and others across the world, primarily Trinidad and Tobago. There are those who are as old as my grandparents. They have been around since the 1940’s, 30’s like the Hell Gate Orchestra in Antigua and Barbuda, the All Star Steel Band in Trinidad and Tobago. It is encouraging to know that now it is recognized by the United Nations and given a whole day to celebrate it as an instrument.”
Alexander Evans, Pan Soloist
“I believe that a huge fight that has been ongoing when it comes to the steel pan has been legitimizing it as an instrument. Because it is part of our afro-Caribbean identity a lot of people didn’t put it on the same status as like the piano or the violin or classical instrument. So I think the UN declaring this World Steel Pan Day is a huge step towards people thinking of the steel pan as a legitimate musical instrument that has the potential to do anything that any of these classical instruments can do.”
Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.
