Folklore Melodies

Virgin Islander cariso is a women’s folk-song tradition from the Virgin Islands, performed to the beat of one or two drums. Songs are led by a soloist and answered by a chorus, creating a vibrant call-and-response texture. Historically topical and communal, cariso pieces commemorate local events, celebrate community life, and sometimes satirize social issues. The music’s African diasporic roots are evident in its polyrhythms, antiphonal form, and reliance on percussion rather than harmonic instruments. Performances often occur at community gatherings, festivals, and heritage events, where the songs function as living oral history.