As part of the "Binational Cultural Dialogue" project, the Haitian Rara and the Dominican Gagá will meet from June 4th to 7 in the Dominican Republic. At the end of July, it will be Haiti's turn to host these meetings. A unique opportunity for musicians, researchers and students to discuss this popular tradition common to the two countries of the island.

On Sunday, June 5, the Haitian delegation participating in this cultural exchange will be welcomed in the Dominican Republic in San Pedro de Macoris, east of Santo Domingo by the Dominican organizers

Monday, June 6, in Santo Domingo, representatives of Rara and Gagá, researchers and students will meet at the Museum of Modern Art for a seminar.

This will be followed by a percussion workshop and a demonstration of the rara/gaga in the colonial zone of the Dominican capital.

Present throughout the Haitian territory, the Rara adopts various forms which have earned it its registration, since 2019, in the Haitian Intangible Cultural Heritage Register of the Ministry of Culture, as "Rara and its various territorial manifestations".

In the Dominican Republic, the Rara arrived at the beginning of the 20th century with Haitian migrants who worked mainly in sugar factories. Subsequently, the Rara evolved and mixed with local religiosity to become a full-fledged cultural manifestation of Dominican popular culture called Gagá which differentiated it from the Haitian "Rara".

Note that the "Gagá" or "Gaggá" is a Haitian-Cuban rhythm derived from the Haitian "Rara" https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-36462-icihaiti-music-gaga-groups-in-cuba-and-the-dr-video.html

Composition of the Haitian delegation :

Foot band Follow Jah (14 members).

Kesler Bien-Aimé, responsible for culture at the National Commission for Cooperation with UNESCO.

Jean-Mozart Féron, academic

Jean Sergo Louis, academic

Eliezer Guerisme, Caracoli production manager

Pascale Jaunay, Caracoli Director

Pierre Michel Jean, photographer

Pascal Joseph, president of the Follow Jah foot band

Victor Pascal, manager of Rara Vapeur de Florida

Junior Ulysse, leader of the Rara Sainte Rose Gros Bœuf and President of the Union des Raras de Léogâne (URAL).

See also :

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-36462-icihaiti-music-gaga-groups-in-cuba-and-the-dr-video.html

IH/ iciHaiti