With Pre-Lenten Carnival festivities switching into top gear all around the world, the people of one Caribbean country are most likely viewing the next few days with as much trepidation as excitement.
After anti-corruption protests shut down the majority of Carnival celebrations last year, Haiti is once again in the midst of troubles (if it could be said that they ever departed that is). Aside from the massive political and social instability the country faces, a rise in kidnappings, outrageous inflation and the ongoing public protests, the last few days have seen the Haiti National Police burning Carnival floats and stalls as part of an impromptu protest for the right to unionise.
Despite this unrest, Prime Minister Jean Michel Lapin has announced that ‘Kanaval 2020’ will still take place in the capital Port Au Prince and other cities from Sunday 23rd to Tuesday 25th of February under the theme “Ann pote kole pou Ayiti dekole” (Together let us unite for Haiti’s recovery). There is also a smaller annual Carnival in the town of Jacmel which happened last weekend, seemingly without too many problems.
Despite all the troubles, one of my favourite Haitian bands, Mizik Rasin legends RAM, have released their latest musical offering for Kanaval 2020. According to their Twitter account, they have released one every year for the last 3 decades, aside from 1994 during the time of the right wing paramilitary group FRAPH (Front for the Advancement and Progress of Haiti) and 2011, the year after the country’s devastating earthquake.
I’m afraid I can’t properly translate the lyrics, even if I could, RAM are known to use voodoo based metaphors within their songs, but (according to Google translate) there is mention of trouble in the streets and reference to Haiti being ‘sick’. That said, it is hard to feel anything but a sense of joyous upliftment when you listen to their music, this tune’s very essence seems to be as defiant as it is acknowledging of the problems people are facing. If you’re feeling it then I very much recommend you listen to more of their music and also take a delve into their colourful history, oh and as a special treat I can let you know that they will be here in the UK this summer and performing at The Forge stage in Boomtown, if you’re at the festival it’s an absolute must!
Note: The picture above is from Wednesday’s arson attack on the carnival stalls. The figure in the statue is Jean Jacques Dessalines, a leader of the Haitian Revolution and the country’s first ruler after independence. It certainly makes for a powerful image.
AAA BADBOY 