The Tuk Band

A tuk band is four or five people: a kettle or snare drum, a bass drum, a penny whistle carrying the melody and often a triangle, and the instruments came directly from British regimental bands. What was done with them did not: the rhythm underneath is African, the tempo builds through a performance from slow to frenetic, and the whole thing was played at plantation gatherings when drumming itself was restricted. It accompanies the Landship and the masquerade characters that come with it, including the Mother Sally, the Donkey Man and the Shaggy Bear. It is the oldest surviving Barbadian music.

What you actually see

• The four instruments - snare, bass drum, penny whistle and triangle.
• The tempo build - slow to frenetic across a single performance.
• Mother Sally and the masquerade - the characters that dance with it.
• The Landship - performed to tuk at ceremonial occasions.

When to go

Crop Over from June to August is when tuk bands are most active, particularly around Kadooment. National holidays and community events bring them out at other times. There is no venue or schedule.

Honest expectations

There is no fixed place to hear it; it appears at events. The number of active bands is small and the tradition depends on a handful of families. Hotel versions are short and simplified. It is loud at close range in a small space.

Nearby

Crop Over events across the island; Bridgetown for the main parades.