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Teachers learning traditional Haitian percussion
Most Americans know little about the Caribbean nation of Haiti,
this despite the repeated occupation of Haiti by the US military during the 20th century. Haiti is a poor nation with a proud and tragic history. Haitian culture is heavily influenced by its roots in West Africa, which have developed into 'vodun', known as voodoo or hoodoo in the USA.
Afro-Haitian Styles
We teach rhythms, songs, and dances from the Afro-Haitian vodun tradition, both rada and petro styles. Rada styles, which are older, more African, more spiritual and cooler, include yanvalou, mahi, djuba, paragol, zepaules, dahomey, fla vodou, and nago. Petro styles, which are newer, associated with the violent Haitian revolution, more intense and hotter, include ibo, petro, congo, abitan, kita, macandal, and banda. The songs are sung in a call-and-response style in Haitian creole, a language with roots in French and several African languages, including Fon, Yoruba, and Kongo. The dances include choreography for groups and individuals, for parades and the rituals of vodun, a neo-African religion.
Afro-Haitian rhythms are traditionally played on African style drums, carved from tree trunks, with cowhide or goatskin heads attached by wooden pegs or rope lashing. Today conga drums are often substituted. Other instruments include a small high-pitched drum played with thin sticks (bula), a low-pitched hoop drum (basse), the blade of a hoe (ogan), and a maraca-like shaker (cha-cha).
There are a lot of misconceptions about the Afro-Haitian religion known as voodoo, vodou, or vodun. Here is a great video introduction that will help you gain a better understanding and appreciation for Afro-Haitian culture and belief:
RhythmJoy
Geoff Johns & Carol Lutra-Johns
10354 SW Mukai Circle, Vashon Island, WA, 98070
Tel - 206.567.5822
Designed and programmed by
TerraRhythm
Engineering Global Media for Vibrant Change
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Many Haitian compositions are lead by a drummer playing with a stick in one hand
Afro-Haitian music and dance
Afro-Haitian music and dance come from this neo-African vodun tradition, which embraces and celebrates its multi-ethnic African heritage, bringing together a federation of African 'nations', each with its own rhythms, songs, and dances