Caribbean Islands - French Speaking

In relation to the colonial history of the Caribbean, it should be remembered that after the Spanish discovery of the so-called New World, the Caribbean became the center of attraction for the main European empires (France, England, and Holland) who sought to share the riches of Spain in the new lands. At the beginning of the 17th century, France begins to colonize the Lesser Antilles. The French colonization in the Lesser Antilles is formalized with the rise of the sagacious Cardinal Richelieu as chief minister of Louis XIII. In the middle of the century, France colonized the islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe, and in 1697 Spain ceded part of the island of Espanola to France. The part that becomes Haiti in 1804. The mixtures between settlers (Africans, Chinese, Indians) and colonizers (French) resulted in a new culture in the French-speaking islands.

This blog tray covers creolization in French-speaking Caribbean Islands. In the book "Tour de Force: A Musical Journey of the Caribbean" the author presents different examples of creolization:

1- Martinique

A cultural practice from Martinique is the Bèlè which originated in 1860, as a consequence of the desire for emancipation of the slaves of Martinique. In the image shown below, you can see the presence of musicians and people dancing, elements that are part of Bèlè. Initially, the drumbeats will give rhythm to the dancers, who have unique dance steps.

The Bèlè is present in rural areas of Martinique and addresses issues of slave life.

Source: (Lewis, 2021)

In the book "Tour de Force: A Musical Journey of the Caribbean" the author presents a representative of the music of Martinique, the soprano Christiane Eda-Pierre born in Fort-de-France, Martinique. Christiane Eda-Pierre enrolled at the Paris Conservatory where she graduated with honors in 1957. In 1977 she joined the faculty of the Paris Conservatory and along with her work at the conservatory, she kept developing her career. musical.

Source: (Christiane Eda-Pierre - Mozart: Queen of the Night Arias, Aix 1965, n.d.)

The video shows the soprano Christianne Eda-Pierre, who is an example of creolization in the French-speaking Caribbean countries. She mixes her musical bases learned from her mother in Martinique and the knowledge acquired in France as a soprano.

2 - Guadeloupe

In the book "Tour de Force: A Musical Journey of the Caribbean" the author presents different examples of creolization, among which are some present in Guadeloupe. Next, we will show an image of an outstanding figure of Guadeloupe music and a video of Gwoka, a mixture of music and dance of Guadeloupe.

Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, was a widely accomplished man in his day. He was one of the most important musicians in Paris and an excellent fencing athlete during the pre-revolutionary period. Saint-Georges was a Guadeloupe-born mestizo son of an important planter in Basse-Terre, Guadeloupe, and a black slave. He was a virtuoso Creole violinist, director of the leading symphony orchestra, and considered the black Mozart

Source: (Biography of Joseph Bologne de Saint-Georges, n.d.)

Gwoka is one of the elements that identify Guadeloupean society, incorporating expressions of music, choreography, or singing. Gwoka combines Guadeloupean Creole singing, dancing and rhythms played on Ka drums. The participants and the public form a circle in which dancers and soloists take turns entering and performing facing the drums. An example of this interpretation can be seen in the video shown below. In the video, you can also see how the typical Ka drums of said interpretation are played.

Source: (Reportage Gwoka Guadaloupe Mars 2016( Rachel LE NAN/ Kipes Radio TV), n.d.)

3 - Haiti

Voodoo arose in Haiti in the 16th century, when the French transported large numbers of African slaves to perform agricultural work, to what was then known as Saint Domingue. Voodoo is a Creole religion, which arises as a result of a mixture of different cultures, the African ethnic religions, and the Catholic religion present in Haiti by the French. In the book by the author Bellegarde-Smith & Michel, 2006, reference is made to the origins of Vodoo as a form of resistance in Haiti against the French colonizers. The image shows a Vodoo Altar.

Source:(Vodou, 2022) 

During Holy Week in Haiti, a bright and colorful music festival known as Rara takes place. A genre that has its beginnings in the 1700s, when French colonization still existed, but Afro-Haitian sugar plantation workers were irritated. Through new forms of art, music, and dance such as Rara, Haitian slaves fought for their independence.

Source: (Rara Music of Haiti - 6, n.d.)

I chose this video because in it you can see a compilation of photos of this festival. In the photos, the musical instruments used are presented, which if we observe are handmade, the dancers who participate and also you can listen to the typical music of this festival.

References

Bellegarde-Smith, P., & Michel, C. (2006). Haitian Vodou: Spirit, Myth, and reality. Indiana University Press.

Biography of Joseph Bologne de Saint-Georges. (n.d.). Artaria Editions. https://www.artaria.com/pages/saint-georges-joseph-bologne-de-1745-1799

Christiane Eda-Pierre - Mozart: Queen of the Night arias, Aix 1965. (n.d.). Www.youtube.com. Retrieved June 1, 2022, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUBefriAYtw

Lewis, E. (2021, April 29). How Black Caribbean Communities Are Reviving an Ancestral Dance Tradition. SAPIENS. https://www.sapiens.org/culture/bele-martinique/

Rara music of Haiti - 6. (n.d.). Www.youtube.com. Retrieved June 1, 2022, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rhNy8XhOk4

Reportage Gwoka Guadeloupe Mars 2016( Rachel LE NAN/ kipes Radio TV). (n.d.). Www.youtube.com. Retrieved June 1, 2022, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30JXdx2-nvo

Vodou. (2022). Cuny.edu. https://macaulay.cuny.edu/seminars/lutton07/images/thumb/d/da/VoodooAltar.jpg/300px-VoodooAltar.jpg