In the twin islands of Trinidad and Tobago, the steelpan is a staple in culture and music, although its popularity has now spread to other places.

The history of the steelpan is closely tied to the history of carnival in Trinidad and Tobago. In the early 1900s, the British colonial government banned the playing of drums during carnival, as they were seen as a nuisance. This led to the development of improvised percussion instruments.

First fully utilised in the 1930s, the steelpan was born from repurposing oil drums and hammering dents into them that could then produce distinct musical tones when struck. The first steelpans were crudely made, but they quickly evolved into more sophisticated instruments. By the 1940s, steelpan bands were a regular feature of carnival.

The steelpan quickly gained popularity outside of Trinidad and Tobago. In 1951, a group of steelpan players from Trinidad performed at the Festival of Britain in London. This performance helped to introduce the steelpan to a wider audience.

Today, the steelpan is a popular instrument all over the world. It is used in a variety of genres, including jazz, classical music, and pop music. The steelpan is also a symbol of Trinidad and Tobago’s rich culture and heritage.