Gonaïves kicks off pre-Easter rara festivities with hypnotic rhythms | PHOTOS

GONAÏVES —  The National Route #1 in Gonaïves lit up with the vibrant orange, yellow, and red colors of “bann rara” (rara bands) and dancers on March 16. The fading sun’s warm glow matched the performers’ fiery colors, creating a striking scene. Their music, a mesmerizing blend of rhythm and melody, carried through the streets, fitted the scenery inspiring dancers to sway and twist their waists to its hypnotic beat.

This electrifying atmosphere marks one of the most anticipated times of the year in Gonaïves. Beginning in mid-March, “bann rara” or street bands take to the streets every Sunday, building up to Easter Week—a sacred and celebratory period when performances become a daily spectacle. The 2025 Easter Week will run from April 13 to April 20, bringing with it an explosion of sound, movement, and spiritual energy.

During the official launch of this year’s pre-Easter Week celebrations, multiple “rara” bands captivated hundreds of revelers, who couldn’t resist moving with the music. The performers blended trumpets, bamboo instruments, drums, and metal funnels to create the signature “rara” sound. Dressed in beautiful red and blue, yellow and green, white, and traditional Carabella shirts and dresses, many dancers waved handkerchiefs in sync with the rhythm, enhancing the visual spectacle.

More than just a celebration, “rara” is a deeply rooted cultural and spiritual tradition in Haiti—a fusion of African, Indigenous, and Catholic influences that serve as both artistic expression and a communal ritual leading up to Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

Below are highlights from the pre-Easter rara showdown in Gonaïves

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