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Compas, a beloved Haitian music and dance style inspired by merengue and featuring rhythms, made it onto UNESCO’s cultural heritage list on Wednesday.
The syncopated rhythm, created in the 1950s, emanates from Haiti’s bars, bedrooms and businesses, lifting spirits and providing solace from the country’s dire poverty and increasing gang violence.
On the night of 18 November, when Haiti qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 1974, enthusiastic crowds ran through the streets accompanied by compass music. Port-au-Prince And dancing in their homes.
Dominique Dupuy, Haiti’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs, called the Compass’ inclusion in the UNESCO list a “symbol of happiness.”
“In these dark times our country is experiencing, we begin this New Year with a ray of hope, already lost for our youth,” he wrote on the social platform X.
UNESCO Cuban Sun also recognized, noting that its “lyrics are taken from daily life, transmitted orally.”
A rhythm ‘that brings the morning with enthusiasm’
In praising Compass, UNESCO said that music “brings together people of all ages, genders and backgrounds.”
The compas, also known as konpa or kompa in Haitian Creole, includes the Haitian drum known as tanbou, congas, electric guitar, and trumpet, among other instruments.
UNESCO said the music “holds deep cultural significance” and often touches on themes including love, freedom, peace and resistance.
At KOTR, a compass dance studio miamiOwner Sonny LaVenture celebrated the news. He considers the compass as his therapy.
“It allows me to get away, it allows me to be free of everything,” he said.
Laventure just came back from a trip kenyaWhere he taught instructors how to dance compass properly, and he is leaving for Paris soon to share his knowledge.
“My father was a musician, so we grew up always listening to konpa,” he said, recalling how his mother loved dancing to it.
Her favorite song is “Serenade des Melomenes”, sung in Spanish, French and Haitian Creole. When he plays it, it reminds him of his father who passed away.
Dupuy said UNESCO has already recognized Haiti’s famous joumou, or pumpkin soup, with cassava, and the compass’ inclusion “affirms our unwavering commitment to love, joy of life and freedom of expression: this rhythm that brings the morning with enthusiasm despite all obstacles.”
‘It makes me feel good’
From Coupe Cloue to Carimi, Compass still reigns supreme in Haiti 70 years after its creation.
Stevens Charles, a 35-year-old accountant, recalled how his father loved playing the music of the famous bands Shleu-Shleu and Tabo Combo.
“It’s the kind of atmosphere I grew up listening to,” he said. “When you dance with a woman, you don’t really have to move, you can just stand still and hold the woman with your body and close your eyes.”
Charles used to go out and listen to live Compass bands, but, “Now that we’re a country that’s under siege by gangs, the nightlife has diminished.”
He rarely goes out for fear of being killed, but he still listens to music at home.
Haitians, including Judenée Morency, said they were proud that Compass has been recognized by UNESCO.
“I love that we have music that is spreading, that people are enjoying in other parts of the world,” he said.
The 25-year-old elementary school teacher said she listens to both the old and new Compass.
“I’m not a very good dancer, but I go out and dance sometimes,” she said. “I like listening to it more. It gives me a vibe that I enjoy.”
a nighttime serenade
Haitians around the world celebrated as news of Compass’ recognition spread on Wednesday.
Etienne Charles, professor of studio music and jazz at the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music, said he was not surprised.
The music has become extremely popular in many places including West AfricaWhere it is played is Cape Verde, Benin, Togo and Senegal, he said.
“It has a wide reach. Its vibe is infectious,” he said. “The songs always include great arrangements and improvisations.”
Charles composed the music for “Jazz Island,” which premiered Friday at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in New York City and is based on a book by Geoffrey Holder. The final part of the ballet sees the two lovers join each other and dance with the compass.
This dance will run every day for a month in the famous theatre.
“They’ll listen to the compass every night,” Charles said with a laugh.
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Country from San Juan, Puerto Rico.