Bottom in de Road: Gender and Sexuality in Calypso

Abstract

The woman’s “bottom”[1] matters a lot in calypso, and in real life in Trinidad. This essay focuses on movement, and the bottom is central to that discussion. It is subject, object, and instrument. One has only to recall songs like Lord Kitchener’s “Sugar Bum Bum” (1977):

Audrey, where you get that sugar?
Darling there is nothing sweeter
Audrey, every time you wiggle
Darling, you put me in trouble
You torture me the way you wine
I love to see your fat behind…
Gi’ way your land, gi’ way your car
But let no man touch my sugar…
Gimme the bum bum Audrey…