Haitian Dance History

Haitian dance has a history rich in customs and traditions.

Haitian dance is a multicultural phenomenon. The movements and styles are earthy, soulful and graceful, with roots in African, French and Indian cultures. The 20th century brought a worldwide awareness, understanding and admiration for the dances of Haiti.

African Slaves in Haiti

Haitian dance is a blend of African, Indian and French traditions. When Africans where brought to Haiti to work as slaves, they also carried with them their music, dance, religion, rituals and customs. Over time, the African cultural traditions evolved and melded with the indigenous Indian and French cultures.

Voodoo

Voodoo has an influence on Haitian dance. According to Haitian religion and folklore, the gods and goddess, called Loa or L'wa, created dance movements. Such movements encompass a broad range of dynamics from subtle to aggressive.

Katherine Dunham

Katherine Dunham is an American dancer and choreographer who is credited with exposing the world to the dances of Haiti. In 1935, she traveled to Haiti and Jamaica to study native dance. Upon her arrival back to the U.S., Dunham brought her arsenal of knowledge and skill to the American stage and made Haitian dance into a formal art.

References

• Haitian Dance
• Haitian Voodoo
• Haitian Folklore
• Katherine Dunham
• Haitian History and Folklore

Resources

• Haitian Culture