Mélange Travel & Lifestyle Magazine January 2020 | Page 40

Traditional Music of The Bahamas
Rake
& Scrape
MUSIC
Rake n’ Scrape music dates back to the days of slavery when African slaves made music with
everyday tools they had on hand which included goat skins placed over empty barrels skillfully
crafted into drums. Today, the drum beating continues, along with the playing of a harmonica and
the scraping of a hand saw with a metal object. Due to the uniqueness of this type of music,
it is difficult to authentically replicate. Its uncommon nature has attracted the attention of many
around the world, including the Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C., and it is often featured
in Bahamian tourist publications. Rake n’ Scrape is very popular on Cat Island.
Bahamian cultural events such as Regattas and Fish Fry events usually consist of performances
by local Rake n’ Scrape bands entertaining listeners with this genre of music that is native to the
Bahamas.
Click here to enjoy some Rake n’ Scrape music.
A popular Rake n’ Scrape band in the Bahamas is “Lassie Doe and the Boys”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmJjpbQDEcI
On the 1st Friday of June each year on the
Bahamas Labour Day, an annual musical festival
begins on Cat Island. That weekend showcases
the traditional Rake and Scrape music, performed
by local and national artists, traditional quadrille
dancing, fishermen and farmers' market,
delicious local dishes, arts and craft .
Held close to Arthur's Town Airport, part of the
event’s proceeds goes towards a high school
graduate scholarship fund.
This is a perfect opportunity to experience
traditional culture.