Music and the Story of Haiti: From Vodou to Compas to Racine to Rara and Beyond

About this episode

The episode explores the relationship between music and the political history of Haiti, highlighting various musical styles and their cultural significance.

Haiti became the first black-ruled republic in the Americas in 1804, and music has mirrored, and at times shaped, the twists and turns of Haiti's politics and culture ever since. A primary source of Haitian culture is Dahomey, the birthplace of vodou--the most commonly held world view among Haitian people today. We explore how each of Haiti's rulers has championed his own preferred music. The Duvalier dictators favored compas dance music, and suppressed the most African-identified cultural expressions. When Baby Doc was run out of the country in 1986, African-derived racine, or roots, music exploded. Elizabeth McAlister, professor of religion at Wesleyan University, and Holly Nicolas--interweave music and history to tell a dynamic, and at times heart-breaking story. Included in the mix we'll hear the sweet sound of troubadour balladeers, as well as the exuberant tones of rara bands, the call and response of a capela kombit songs of work parties, impassioned choral music of evangelical churches, and the sophisticated, improvisational rhythms used in vodou rituals. Produced by Sean Barlow APWW #540

People in this episode

Guests: Elizabeth McAlister, Holly Nicolas

Topics covered

• Haitian music
• vodou
• politics and culture
• compas
• racine
• rara
• Haitian history

Keywords

• Haiti
• music
• vodou
• compas
• racine
• rara
• cultural history
• politics
• Elizabeth McAlister
• Holly Nicolas

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Wesleyan University

Books & works: vodou, compas, racine, rara

Places: Haiti, Dahomey

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