During carnival musicians often pay homage to the female anatomy

Every year, one of the favourite topics for calypsonians is the female bottom, or bumper, or bamsi, and its many other names.

BBC Caribbean's Raymond Edwards has been sampling the music and analysing the musical fascination with the bottom...with the help of a few guests.

Listen to Raymond Edwards' discussion

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

• Is too much attention being paid to the bottom or should musicians continue to sing its praises?
• Why do you think calypsonians are fascinated with the "bamsi"?
• Are women calypsonians now claiming back what is theirs?

In the Caribbean if a woman cannot "wine" and shake their "bamsi", it means that they can't dance. Almost all Caribbean women of African ancestry can do this with little or no effort. The tourists just love to see the jiggling of the "bamsi".
Ralph Saywack
Brompton, Canada

There is nothing more pleasing to the eye than a nice round bombalum. Ahh the Bam Bam.
Winston Cosbert
Georgetown, Guyana

Each style of music does indeed have its focal point. It is through ours that most Caribbean men regard women as mere machines, sex machines I must add. I see degradation in youth influenced by this and pity greatly the minds that entertain it and sink deeper by it. The bottom line is that it is a poison to society. A necessary one? You tell me.
Lyndon Baptiste
Piarco, Trinidad

I first went to the Caribbean and fell in love with "the backside" of my sisters.
Kenyetta
Devonshire, Bermuda

Music has always been a form of expression pertaining to sexuality for a very long time now. Even ballet was formed to please Louis because of the feminine body if I'm not mistaken.
If sexuality has been a common concept of music throughout the history of the world, then why should focus on the female body be a problem here?
Rohan Lewis
Atlanta USA

It is true that there are other parts of the female body, but the bottom is the only part you could talk about without getting into trouble.
JOBO
Brooklyn, USA

I find this very funny but true indeed. The bum is one of the main attractions for plenty (if not all) Carribbean men. It's no surprise that it's always been the topic for songs. Carnival is all about shaking it down so it therefore has to be called out. There's something about the West Indian bum though, particularly the small island bums. When we walk, we walk and wine. Bum swag! lol. Hence, the fascination. I honestly, don't see the praises stopping. I think it's worth the talking and the majority of women aren't complaining. Now that's the bottom line.
M Harry
Toronto Canada/St Lucia

I think that there isn't too much attention paid because that is normal for musicians esp. male musicians, I guess you understand that if a female has no curves then she has got male characteristics which are just not feminine. So keep singing and I praise all women with curves(but to be honest flat bottoms are more than boring. If I go for a lady without curves I feel like I went for a BOY cause there is nothing to touch, hold... you get the point for sure).
If you are Caribbean and you don't like "BAMSIE" then I guess you need a psychologist because women are more than happy to have males who love their bamsie.
Rajabu Mgweno
Tanzania

Women showing off their "Bamsi" and other parts of their body in suggestive ways at carnival and soca parties is only one example of the many ways people have lost connection with reality. This mentality has spread into many parts of society; from TV, movies, the streets, and even the workplace. In this dark time we live in today, some modesty would be welcomed so more attention can be given to the pressing issues we face today. In other words, ladies, put on some clothes, stop teasing men, and help to make this world a better place to live in for all.
A
Houston, USA

I remember my brother who had spent some time in the UK at graduate school commenting that he once ran behind a woman to tell her thanks for the 'aesthetic pleasure'. He had apparently grown tired of the 'flat backs'. I've seen grown men walk into obstacles distracted as they were by a particularly fine female form -- and she'd already passed him by. It's a Caribbean thing ... don't fight it, just love it ... sorry them!
Glenn,
Basseterre, St Kitts

I have long been a huge fan of huge bamsis... as an average Caribbean man I often dedicate long parts of my day to admiring and studying the bumper diaspora... I strongly believe that the glorious Caribbean backside should forever be praised in song.
Prakash
Mahaika, Guyana

It's as simple as of all the other parts of the body. The bottom is the boss therefore attention must be paid to the bottom at all times. End of story.
Brian Paul,
New York

I love to admire the handiwork of the Master when I look at our black women. Our music encourages us to move our waist and our women do so expertly. I like to describe the bumper as "the black man's kryptonite".
Ronald,
London, United Kingdom

What is the requisite amount of attention that should be paid to the 'bamsi' and how do we determine that we have exceeded it?
I'm not into Carnival much and only like soca/calypso to a limited extent. Sexuality is an integral part of Carnival and it won't leave - gyrating is part and parcel and the 'bamsi' is integral to gyrating. It just seems to be human nature.
Craig Young,
UK

We can't help it, its in we DNA!
I have no objections whatsoever with Calypsonians singing about it. Lets worship the derriere - those worthy of worship of course - for all eternity.
SING SING SING!
Saadiss,
DC, USA

Sing on.. for years females have been aware that men are fascinated by their curves. Male clothing designers have emphasised, exposed and elevated the curves on a woman's body. We have been flattered and are still flattered by the attention that our curves receive by our male counterpart. The male calypsonians are, let's face it, men, and they are in awe of the female body, the most that they can do is admire and drool from afar. The fact that female performers are now playing up to their male audience by doing what we have always done, accentuating our best points, is not a surprise. Today, more women are owning their bodies and their right to self expression. Remember, tasteful is in, vulgar is out.
Rozabella Connor,
Cloudersport, USA

Enough attention is being paid to the female African body.
For many years, we were made to feel that if you were not pencil thin, you were not attractive, or beautiful. Regional calypsonians have proven this theory wrong, and revealed the truth that men are fascinated with the bottom. Once they don't become offensive in their songs it's fine to sing about the bumper. In recent times we have been seeing female calypsonians singing about the pride they have in the female form...let's face it men, all men, love curves, especially the curves on a woman's body, so if you have it sister flaunt it, own it, love it, be proud of it...
Desi,
Diego Martin, Trinidad&Tobago

It's full time that man grow up and see females as just females and not just as sex thank you.
Ashanti,
Tottenham, London

Calypsonians are fascinated about the "bamsi" because we are!!!
It is as simple as it is said. One must be honest and state the fact that "wining" of the bottom is a fundamental part of dancing to soca/calyso music. It is also an erotic display and thus is a driving force in making a song popular.
Sing about a lady's long hair while your friend sings about her rotating bottom and it is anyone's guess who will win Road March.
"We like it so...it sweet!!!"
Wayne Murray,
Kingstown, St Vincent& the Grenadines

I get the impression that the modern-day songs about the posterior are simply due to a lack of imagination on the part of composers. Indeed back in the day the calypsonians sang about the same subject, the very same body part but it was far more witty and nuanced. Today it's literally "bottom in de road"... nothing is left to the imagination. Perhaps this is in itself a reflection of the way some females dress, putting their assets on display. I'm a woman who believes that my treasures should be appreciated in private. In the same way, I think performers could make an extra effort to be more imaginative. This year's "Heavy T bumber" by Faye-Ann Lyons is a delightful departure from the asinine. She uses the imagery of a vehicle classification very cleverly and leaves some room for the imagination to do its job!
Alicia,
Port of Spain, Trinidad

Now it all makes sense
Excellent job!!!
Andrew Manswell,
San Juan, Trinidad&Tobago

It is not only in calypso that people are fascinated by the "bottom" but also in reggae and reggaeton. I think that it's a Caribbean fascination. Musicians should not only appreciate the woman's bottom, but also show that women are beautiful in every other way. Less emphasis should be shown about the woman's bottom and more in other ways. Women are starting to realise this and are singing for a change in mentality. The "bumper" should be appreciated but also the rest of the female anatomy should also.
Mark DS,
St Lucia

Your choice of topic is an affront. A more intelligent debate can be obtained if an attempt is made to explore apparent discrimination in the air passenger taxes being levied by the UK Gov't on Caribbean/African travellers. By 2010 we will be paying an increase of £218 in taxes. Similar taxes have not been levied on travellers to other parts of the world. Given the impact of the credit crunch on our tourism,the UK gov't is actually turning the dagger in the bellows of the Caribbean tourism.
Ja,
Mayaro, Trinidad&Tobago

Though there may be a fascination with the "bumper" in local culture, I believe that it only represents the amount of admiration for the fine female anatomy that we CAN talk about especially in song. There is no reason to show our appreciation. I think there should only be a careful consideration about the content on some songs, as long as it isn't lewd. Keep the bumper appreciation coming. Not chauvinist. Just loving it.
Brent, Trinidad