Haitian Oil-Drum Metal Cut-Out Art

Flatten a steel drum, trace a design (birds, trees, dancers, fish), then chisel and hammer the outline and add texture lines before the piece is finished and hung.

Heritage note

Part of the living heritage of Haiti. Some forms of this practice carry deep meaning for the communities who keep it; here we describe the play and the craft only, with respect for its roots. Animals are partners in this tradition; good care and local rules always come first.

Origins

A living tradition passed from person to person; it is not tied to a single dated origin. It belongs to the cultural world of The Americas: Caribbean.