Introduction
The culture of Haiti is a unique mixture of old traditions and new influences, coming together to create a complex and distinct national image. Haitian music has been affected by individuals who lived on the Caribbean Island before the colonization. It is comprised of a broad scope of influences drawn from the many individuals who have stepped on this island. The nation’s culture is rich, being formed primarily by creole peoples (Hutchinson, 2019). The public authority, religion, social class, and populace assume a significant part in the notoriety and acknowledgment of specific music. However, Haitian cultural music, compass, has not accomplished a similar level of hybrid achievement. Despite the considerable popularity of compas music among the native population, it faces the issue of low crossover. Effectively, many emigrant citizens lose their own cultural modes of expression and origins. There are two primary reasons for this tendency, the first being changes in the way compas is performed. The second pertains to the music genre’s highly specific and uncommunicative nature.
The Haitian Culture
Compas is a famous type of jazz-based dance music that started in Haiti in the middle of the 20th century. A style composed of cords was enlivened by a European dance style known as contra dance (Hutchinson, 2019). The name originates from the Spanish language, and the word means cadence or pitch (Hutchinson, 2019). For the most part, it includes quick rhythm beats with an accentuation on electric guitars, synthesizers, and synthesizer substitutes. The driving blend of socially mindful verses and danceable rhythms is suggestive of other Caribbean melodic classes similar to Jamaican reggae and dancehall (Hutchinson, 2019). The conventional compas sound elements involve metal instruments, oftentimes requiring a huge band to play instruments such as saxophones, trumpets, and trombones.
Music specialists understand traditional compas music as a slower minor departure from the Spanish merengue melody, with a jazz or large band feel and a solid accentuation on a song (Kompa Music Guide: A brief history of Kompa Music – 2022). Instrumental numbers are regularly focused on bringing out the sound of a lead saxophone and feature extensive spontaneous improvisation between the different musicians (Peddie, 2020). The Spanish influence on the Haitian culture can be handily noted in the proceeding with the presence of Iberian instruments, melodic attributes, and beautiful literary structures.
In the 16th century, the Caribbean locale started spreading its music and dance patterns across Europe. Later on, compas became famous thanks to Nemours Jean-Baptiste, the unbelievable Haitian music band, when its recording was transmitted before the end of the twentieth century (Peddie, 2020). The band added more metal and electric guitars, which was uncommon in Caribbean music at that time period. The central sound of the band existed as a creatively different version of traditional compas, taking artistic liberties for the purpose of making it more accessible. The last three decades of the twentieth century contain the most striking highlights over the course of the development of music. Compas was pivotal in the advancement of a crossover music class from Trinidad and Tobago, which drew from different types of folk music from the American continent (Peddie, 2020). It fostered a dedicated continuing in the American continent, Northern Europe, and East Asia.
More modern types of compas transformed and became similar to Western pop and R&B. The low degree of crossover is in large part due to Jamaican music being sung in English. Moreover, the popular representatives of Haiti are individuals such as Bob Marley, who has had tremendous diverse allure (Peddie, 2020). The specific presentation of compas music presents another barrier to its wider popularity. In particular, the genre lacks expressive qualities that would allow it to be used in more informal environments. The focal customs of compas music are communicated orally or aurally; that is, they are transmitted through hearing rather than the perusing of words or music (Hutchinson, 2019). As a result, compas are used in little interpersonal communication between family members or companions rather than in establishments. Reacting to the current local needs of the Caribbean, this music genre must become better and more widely practiced. Compas needs to surpass the popularity of American pop to get more attention.
The youth has a significant influence on the population’s preferences, and many children are interested in rap and R&B. People frequently do not have any idea what Haitian culture is about. Music bands are moving into the pop standard for wide recognition (Peddie, 2020). The modern iterations of compas are significantly different from how the music used to sound, with the addition of more modern instruments and a more recognizable melodic structure. With countless components unique to Haitian music, it may be challenging to consider the newer iterations legitimate representations of older traditions. However, the additions and changes ultimately stem from a desire of younger generations to merge a variety of local cultures and traditions into one, using the more universally understood tools or techniques.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Haitian language, music, religion, and even the way of life are a mixed blend of African, Latin, and European cultures. This is because of the French colonization and the strongly oppressed African populace in Haiti. Music assumes a significant part in Haitian culture, and currently, the chances to hear Haitian music in other parts of the world are considerably low. It is most commonly understood that the implications of articulating and displaying Haitian identity through music are intricate and uncertain. These days, Western music and culture unavoidably impact conventional culture in the Caribbean Island. Therefore, the music of Western tribes found in the present can be seen as far from its original.
References
Hutchinson, S. (2019). Focus: Music of the Caribbean. Routledge, Taylor & Francis group.
Kompa Music Guide: A brief history of Kompa Music – 2022. MasterClass. (n.d.). Web.
Peddie, I. (2020). The Bloomsbury handbook of popular music and social class. Bloomsbury Academic.