The Rara-Gagá component of the "Binational Cultural Dialogue / Diálogo cultural binacional" project was based in part on the exchange between two groups, the walking band "Follow Jah" (Haiti) and the "Gagá la 30" (Dominican Republic https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-36462-icihaiti-music-gaga-groups-in-cuba-and-the-dr-video.html ). After the visit of the Haitians to San Pedro de Macorís, in June 2022, the Dominican group was to stay in Haiti, but, when the time came, the socio-political situation in the country did not allow the reception conditions to be met and security necessary for this second meeting.

The documentary short film by Pierre Michel Jean responds despite everything to the curiosity of the Dominicans by showing the members of the Follow Jah foot band and their daily conditions of exercise, in their community, in Berthé (Pétion-ville). He also questions them about the place given to the tradition of Rara that they share with their neighbors and that they have adapted to an urban context, subject to multiple pressures https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-36869-icihaiti-music-follow-jah-et-gaga-la-30-walking-band-in-unison-in-the-dom-republic.html . What pushes these people to maintain, despite everything, their practice in such unfavorable conditions?

Directed by Pierre Michel Jean, the short film "Swiv Bondye" was produced within the framework of the "Binational Cultural Dialogue / Diálogo cultural binaciona", financed by the European Union, with the support of FOKAL.

Find out more about Pierre-Michel Jean :

Pierre-Michel Jean lives and works in Port-au-Prince as a freelance photojournalist and filmmaker. He has directed several documentaries, including a short film "L'oublie pour mensonge" on the survivors of the 1937 massacre in the Dominican Republic. His first feature film, "Toro La Cou", is about a Rara from Léogâne.

Learn more about the "Follow Jah" foot band :

Created in February 2001, the walking band Follow Jah operates in Pétion-ville, on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince. Since 2010, she began to diversify her activities by multiplying experiences, supervised by the Caracoli association. In addition to parades, it also offers musical entertainment, concert performances or an educational workshop (in Haitian Creole or French) on the music of Rara and walking bands.

See also :

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-36869-icihaiti-music-follow-jah-et-gaga-la-30-walking-band-in-unison-in-the-dom-republic.html

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

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-33461-icihaiti-unesco-towards-the-inscription-of-rara-on-the-list-of-intangible-cultural-heritage-requiring-urgent-safeguard.html

IH/ iciHaiti