I miss Haiti very much. I miss everything
about my country; the people, the food, the language, and most importantly the
music. I miss the music even more because music in Haiti is political. It is
conscious and it can move mountains.
Haitians are reminded about the power of
music every day, but Kanaval time is most poignant. Kanaval de Fle was
celebrated this past weekend. Although not without some controversy, but
strictly focusing on the music, it is was a huge success. And thanks to Radio
Kiskeya, I had the opportunity to hear the songs that made that competitive
schedule. Because Haitians take music very seriously, the best musicians amongst
them are really some of the best artists of the world. The songs tackle
poverty, corruption, love of humanity, love of Haiti, illnesses, water
shortages, electrical problems and so much more.
Listening to the songs with my children
instilled a slight fear in me. I am raising children in a country where they
are not exposed to conscious thinking on a daily basis. I cannot turn on the
radio in Ghana and have the children listen to a artist who wrote and arranged
music that tackles societal problems. They don’t know Ghana’s version of Manno
Charlemagne or Koudjaye, Boukan Guinen or Boukman Eksperyans. Even if argument can be made that the younger generation has
dropped the artistic baton, where are the Fela’s in Ghana’s musical history? Where are the Emline Michelles?
For these reasons and more, I make sure my children listen to Haitian music on a daily basis. They also listen to Haitian
radio on a daily basis. I’m focusing on Manno Charlemagne today because one
song in particular could have been written in Ghana, by Ghanaians, even today.
Here is a translational synopsis.
______________________________
Tet Kole (Unity)
Human’s first thought is how to feed itself
The year things don’t go well, he is
ambitious to make (societal) changes
It’s nothing serious. He’s morals are
falling. If by chance he succeeds, the
people don’t exist. It’s Haitianess; other people’s misery don’t count.
Misery.
All the candidates are power driven. They
push the people to shout
The people as innocents, how else would
they change things,
Then they realize that they were asleep and
now awake he sees it did not work. He does not want to spill blood, so the bad
intentioned are enjoying.
_____
Chorus:
Things will work the day the people unite.
The people are trembling (looking like TB
patients)
Let’s put the wealthy in medical
facilities.
______________
The people are very hopeful. They know what
needs to be done for their peace to return. Pull a few of us out of poverty,
our tongues are too heavy for us….Misery.
I heard there’s a loan to be given to
develop the South. It was talked about every day.
One or two years later, all belts are tied.
Yes, you see movement of cement, trucks and
a young guy drives by in an expensive car well composed. He’s from the city and in charge of the
project.
One or two years later, the South is
further underdeveloped. The project guy did not care, because his main concern
was to steal. Cars for him to use. He is just eating. It’s true.
_________________
Who
is speaking these truths in Ghana? Who
are the voices of the people? Where are the people? The ones whose every
word and song are listened to as hymns? The ones the workers spend
lunch time discussing and dissecting their every word? Who are the
voices of our thoughts? The ones who know and understand the situation
and working hard to change it? At least we will always have
Haiti. Long live Ayiti Toma!
