Haitian Folk Dance

 

In Haiti, folk dance is a set of rhythms which have been transmitted within the population from one generation to another. Our folklore is an old Haitian dancing art that combines voodoo and rara rhythms. Folklore requires you to be barefoot.  The dances are usually upbeat and cheerful since they were dances of celebration during the time of slavery.

 

Men and women from Africa, who were transported to America in the 18th century to serve the colonists as slaves, brought with them a whole range of stories, beliefs, rituals, skills, songs, music, and dances. Dumped on the land of Haiti, which was then the Spanish colony Hispaniola, they saved deep in their souls their African essence and also drew from some Native Americans and European folk philosophies and traditions. The masters who owned the plantations used slave musicians to motivate other slaves to work or simply to make their condition appear less nightmarish, allowing them to vent out their frustrations and express their cultural heritage once a week during bamboulas (popular feasts).

 

Influenced by all these music and dances, Haitian folklore gained its own beautiful identity to become what it is today. With various rhythms accompanied by drums and other specific instruments, like vaksin and cornet, we dance our hearts out to express our feelings of sadness, anger, or happiness. 

 

Below you will find a link to a video presentation, by students in my dance school known as KAV Academy of Dance, which demonstrates Nago, Ibo, and Petro rhythms and dances used in Haitian folklore to express diverse feelings, emotions, and specific moments in Haitian life.

 

Please check out the dance by watching this video.

 

Koraly, Bridge Academy, 12th grade