Glissant "published in 1981 two books which, although primarily concerned with the crisis identity and productivity that prevails in the French West Indies, must command the attention of any reader interested in the future development of the Caribbean region. The first is a socio-political study entitled Le Discours antillais; its companion piece is a work of fiction, La Case du commandeur. Their importance...for the rest of the region lie in their author's unique of sense of the historical and cultural ties by which Martinique and Guadeloupe are inherently attached to the surrounding islands. This attachment, however-- for which he has coined the term antillanite --he considers to be imperilled by France's intention to 'assimilate' her Overseas Departments not only politically, but culturally and economically." (author)
The article discusses the importance of percussionists and drummers in Jamaican popular music, especially reggae, arguing that their contributions have often been under-estimated. It emphasizes the traditional African roots of characteristic Jamaican drumming styles. An overview of the history of Jamaican percussion and drumming is provided. Musicians discussed include Babu Bryan, known for his Kumina drumming, Watta King, a drummer in the Buru tradition, and Oswald "Count Ossie" Williams, who developed the Nyabinghi style of Rastafarian drumming.
