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2018 Voodoo Drum Connections from Haiti to Congo Square
001-2018-018
46:42 Master Camera files on Hard Drive, Mp4 on Server and Cloud
2018-05-03
Luther Gray and members of Kod Kreyol of Haiti; Interviewer - Matt Sakakeeny
ABSTRACT: 01:08 Musicians introduce themselves. 02:20 Demonstration 04:10 Arnaud addresses the diversity of African rituals throughout Haiti, which he explains differ regionally. 06:44 Arnaud explains the meaning of the song, a yanvalou, they played. 08:10 Grey speaks to the influx of Haitians in New Orleans in 1811, the year of the largest slave revolt in Louisiana. He emphasizes the ties throughout the West African region, which Morris seconds, explaining that there’s a rhythm in Haiti called kongo. 10:43 Demonstration, kongo 12:39 Demonstration, bamboula 14:10 Morris explains the equivalent bamboula rhythm in Haiti, called contoh edus. 14:54 Demonstration, contoh edus 15:35 Grey introduces his drum, a djembe from Benin. 17:06 Demonstration, Martinique drumming sitting on the drum 18:05 Morris introduces the Haitian drums. 20:30 Morris describes the drums used in each of the three major Haitian rituals. 23:35 Morris clarifies the differences between the voodoo known around New Orleans and Haitian vodou, having clarified that the ceremonies are indeed vodou. 24:00 Grey reflects on the Haitian diaspora to the US, explaining the long-standing sacred nature of Congo Square, where Haitians in New Orleans went to honor their ancestors, outside the rampart (now Rampart Street) that then demarcated the Catholic city. 27:05 Demonstration, calinda 28:53 Morris describes where the calinda comes from in Haiti. 29:43 Grey explains the origins of “talking drums,” how Africans developed rhythmic patterns to mimic their tonal languages as a means of communication. Morris explains that drums are still a unifying force. The power of this meant that music was often suppressed by colonizers, and slave masters. 35:30 Morris describes some of Kod Kreyol’s activities in Haiti, where they’re based. 36:15 Grey plugs a recent children’s book on Congo Square, and Bamoula 2000’s weekly gig there. 37:33 Morris introduces Kod Kreyol members in the audience. 37:56 Demonstration 41:34 Morris describes the Haiti connection she feels in New Orleans, shared by the band – things feel familiar in a way that’s unusual. 43:42 Demonstration, “The Wild Bamboulas”
video recording
Public Access is available in the Archive due to copyright restrictions. Copyrights are retained by the participants. The video is available for viewing at the archive.
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation Archive