Rasin
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Rasin, also known as Haitian roots music,[2] is a musical style that began in Haiti in the 1970s when musicians began combining elements of traditional Haitian Vodou ceremonial and folkloric music with various musical styles. The late 20th century style of this music links to the roots of Vodou tradition, where it came to be known as mizik rasin later in Haitian Creole. Modern-day, the movement is often referred to simply as "rasin" or "racine" (in French).
Characteristics
Rasin bands combine the Vodou ceremonial and folk music traditions with various musical styles. The Haitian Vodou musical tradition includes "cool"
Most rasin song lyrics are written in Creole and often incorporate traditional Vodou ceremonial lyrics or poetry. Songs can speak to traditional Vodou themes such as spying and betraying, feeling lost or estranged, the need for judgement and justice, or the urge to reconnect with an ancestral homeland. Some rasin songs are based on prayers directed to particular
History
Under the regimes of François Duvalier, and his son Jean-Claude Duvalier, the government appropriated for itself the authority of the Vodou religious traditions and made extensive use of religious leaders and traditions to assert its brutal authority and impose order. When Jean-Claude Duvalier fled the country, a widespread dechoukaj uprooted the most oppressive elements of the former regime and attempted to separate the Vodou religion from its entanglements with the government. Unable to do so beyond a limited extent under the Duvaliers, musicians adopted traditional Vodou folk music rhythms, lyrics, and instrumentation into a new sound that incorporated elements of rock and roll and jazz. The movement also attracted Haitian American artists and members of the Haitian diaspora who returned to the country following the downfall of the Duvaliers.
Rasin bands often write and perform songs that contained political messages, either implicitly or explicitly. Sanba yo wrote a song "Vaksine" as a part of a UN vaccination campaign. "Ke'm Pa Sote" by
Rasin musicians
A
B
- Beken
- Belo
- Bob Bovano
- Boukan Ginen
- Boukman Eksperyans
- Buvu Ambroise
- Bwa Kayiman
C
- Carole Demesmin
- Chandel
D
E
- Eddy Francois
- Emeline Michel
- Eritaj
- Erol Josue
G
- Gwoup Sa (early rasin)
J
- Jacques Schwarz-Bart[7]
- James Germain
- John Steve Brunache
K
- Kalfou Lakay
- Kanpech
- King Wawa
- Koudjay
L
- Lakou Mizik
- Lina Mathon Blanchet
- Lumane Casimir
M
- Malou Beauvoir
- Manno Charlemagne
- Martha Jean-Claude
- Melanie J-B Charles
- Moonlight Benjamin
N
- Naika
- Netty
P
- Papa Bonga
R
- Racine Figuier
- RAM
- Rasin Kanga
- Riva Nyri Precil
S
- Sanba yo (early rasin)
- Sanba Zao
- Simbi
- So Anne
T
- Tokay
- Toto Bissainthe
W
Z
- Zekle
- Zing Experience
- Zobop
Audio samples
Year | Band | Song Title | Album | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
1996 | RAM | "Fèy" ' |
Aïbobo | Censored by Haitian military, 1992–1994 |
1997 | RAM | "Zanj" ⓘ |
Puritan Vodou | Rara horn and petro drum instrumentation |
See also
References
- ^ Stuart, Alanna, ed. (27 November 2015). ""Music is the Haitian soul": a primer on Haiti's unstoppable music scene". CBC. Retrieved 31 December 2015.
- ISBN 9780760362020. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
- ISBN 9780810875494. Retrieved 22 January 2014.
- ISBN 9780810875494. Retrieved 22 January 2014.
- ^ Marx, Gary (2005). "Lyrics of Love and Haïti" Archived 2007-03-11 at the Wayback Machine. Chicago Tribune. November 8, 2005.
- ISBN 0-14-024895-1. p. 10.
- Radio France internationale. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
Further reading
- Averill, Gage (1997). "Day for the Hunter, Day for the Prey". Chicago: University of Chicago Press. ISBN 0226032922.
- Shacochis, Bob (1999). The Immaculate Invasion. New York, New York: Penguin Publishing. ISBN 0-14-024895-1.