Julia Robbin Topaz December 9, 2013 2 Hours Diversity Amid Globalization

Haitian music has played a very important role in Haitian culture. Haitian music takes place in their religious ceremonies, their festivals, and sometimes even to help with their healing. It is often intertwined with religion and politics. Haiti has multiple types of music, including Rara, Compas and Merengue. These types of music have French, African, and Spanish influences.

Rara and Compas both originated in Haiti. Rara, associated with Haitian voodoo, typically consists of maracas, bells and special trumpets made of bamboo. The music has an upbeat tempo. Compas, less influenced by other music, has multiple names. Compas, the French version, and Kompa and Konpa, the Creole versions. Nemours Jean Baptiste, considered to have founded Compas, made it famous in the mid 1950s. Compas has a slower tempo than other Haitian music and consists of electric guitars, vocals, horns, and drumming. The lyrics, though mainly in Creole, can also include French, Spanish, and English. Compas has many similarities to the music style Merengue, but has a slower beat, and adds the tambour and conga. From 1956 to now Compas has transformed Haitian culture and became the national music of Haiti. Every year they have a week in February called Carnival (or Kanaval in Creole), where parades go up and down the streets, with celebrations and music.

In conclusion, music has a big role in the everyday life of a Haitian. They have it in their religious ceremonies, their festivals, their healing, and even their politics. All of this showing how big a role music plays in the culture of Haiti.

Sources:

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