The Lost Art of Traditional Pan-Around-the-Neck-Bands
Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - The entire 2010 Panorama season was kicked off in the south on Coffee Street in San Fernando on January 15th with a preliminary competition for single pan bands. Only one band, Jah Roots, walked onto the judging venue with their traditional pans around their necks. It was refreshing to see that the art of carrying one’s pan is not completely lost, and that the crowd appreciated their efforts to preserve the tradition. There is something to be said about carrying the weight of the pan, moving, and playing at the same time. Although they played in a stationary position, Jah Roots was a pleasant reminder of the tradition of pan on the move. Jah Roots is a band that strives to participate in every traditional pan competition and they have vowed not to change their performance practices, regardless of how everyone is changing around them.
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