This research reviews previous research on male-female conflict in the traditional folk music of Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies, including some which predicted a decline in the level of antagonism directed toward women. It provides empirical evidence for the period 1969–1979 through an analysis of the lyrics of 311 calypso songs. There is no downward trend; about one-fourth of all the calypsoes examined deal centrally with women, and nearly all of these do so in a way judged to be negative to women. Major themes on women in calypsoes are discussed, and some sample lyrics are included.
Financial support for this research was provided by the Rhode Island College Faculty Research Committee, the office of the Dean of Arts and Sciences, and the Department of Sociology. Grateful acknowledgement is expressed to F. Gordon Rohlehr, Bridget Brereton, Peter Fraser, and Farley Brathwaite, all faculty members at the University of the West Indies (UWI), St. Augustine, Trinidad; Pat Bishop, of Key Caribbean Publications; Gabriel Francis and Rocky McCollin, of Radio Trinidad; Calypsonian Roaring Lion (Rafael de Leon); the National Cultural Council of Trinidad and Tobago; librarians of the West Indian Section of the Trinidad and Tobago Central Library and at the West Indiana Collection of the UWI, St. Augustine, library, Barbara Commissiong of the latter library; Kay Camperell, Ph.D., of the Rhode Island College Adult Reading Academy; and Trinidadian Everald Phillip.