The Republic of Haiti is located in the Caribbean, occupying the western one-third of the island of Hispaniola, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, west of the Dominican Republic.

Lakou Mizik playing rara horns

Haitian Musical Genres

Compas – Dance genre that features brass, drums, guitars, bass and keyboards (also known as kompa)

Rara is a form of traditional Haitian lively street music that has endured to this day. During rara parades, groups of young men march through the streets, competing for the title of best band.

Haitian Musicians

Boukan Ginen
Boukman Eksperyans
Carimi
Emeline Michel
Foula Vodoule
Lakou Mizik
Lataye
Mozayik
RAM

Selected Haitian recordings

* World Network Vol. 43: Haiti (World Network, 1999)

* The Rough Guide to the Music of Haiti (World Music Network, 2002)

* Haitian Voodoo: 101 Nations (Buda Musique, 2005)

* Alan Lomax in Haiti, boxed set (Harte Recordings, 2009)

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