Haitian Rara is a processional music involving large group of dancers and musicians. It is a religious activity conducted by voodoo priests and their followers. The Haitian Rara season starts on Ash Wednesday, one day after Carnival season to end on Easter Sunday.

A typical Rara band includes cylindrical bamboo, metal trumpets, drums, grage and other metal instruments. Rara songs are always performed in Haitian Creole, addressing social and political issues. The band usually performs as it is marching and will cover long walking distance before returning to their base. They usually tour the countryside for days at a time. Rara bands would stop and perform for anyone interested and sometime for those not interested. After each performance you are obligated to pay the Rara band.

A Haitian Rara band is very structured. The flag carrier will tell the Rara band where to stop to give a show. Each Rara band will have a wrestler to direct the band. Two or more of the Rara group members are equipped with cords and they are positioned ahead of the band to announce that the Rara band is arriving. The Rara avant-guards are responsible to provide security to the band. Rara armies are usually people wearing long skirt of several colors. They are also the principal dancers to the band.

The Rara season in Haiti has recently increased in popularity. Many Haitians overseas travel back to Haiti to participate in the Rara season yearly


Contribution:
Haiti Jacmel Journals