Haiti celebrates the 69th anniversary of Konpa music amid plea for universal recognition

PORT-AU-PRINCE — Haiti’s Ministry of Culture and Communication (MCC) organized a discussion on Wednesday around the theme “The Compas, National Heritage” as a prelude to the celebration of National Compas Day and the 69th anniversary of this Haitian musical rhythm. The event featured Martine Beaucicault, a specialist in museum and cultural heritage communication, who emphasized the importance of protecting, preserving and transmitting this musical heritage to future generations.

“Protection involves creating normative texts, provisions, and structures that the State must commit to safeguarding cultural heritage,” Beaucicault said. “The transmission of heritage is achieved through various expressions such as research, memorial plaques, and theater scenes.” She stressed the importance of these activities in keeping the heritage alive and relevant.

Valuation plays a crucial role in heritage preservation, Beaucicault added.

By promoting and valuing  Konpa as a national cultural heritage, the ministry aims to ensure its continued relevance and appreciation.

Compas, also known as Konpa in its Creole variation, celebrated its 69th anniversary on July 26. This musical style was created by Haitian saxophonist and guitarist Nemours Jean Baptiste in 1955 during the first concert of his group, Orchester Conjunto International, at Place Saint-Anne in Port-au-Prince. Jean-Baptiste aimed to develop a commercial rhythm that could compete with foreign musical styles that were popular in Haiti at the time.

According to the the Ministry of Communication, by modifying the Haitian meringue, he gave birth to Konpa Dirèk or Compas Direct, which has since become a significant part of Haitian cultural heritage.

Three days of Konpa celebration in the midst of insecurity 

To celebrate the 69th anniversary of Konpa, the MCC is organizing a series of festive and educational events from July 24 to 26. These events will highlight this precious musical heritage through talks, conferences, and exhibitions featuring music enthusiasts, cultural professionals, heritage defenders and copyright experts.

During these three days of activities, the MCC  will engage in discussions with experts and enthusiasts about the history and significance of the Konpa music.

Exhibitions will include showcasing the faces, names and works of emblematic figures from the Haitian music scene of the 1990s in the gardens of the National Book Directorate (DNL, its French acronym) in Port-au-Prince.

“Protection involves creating normative texts, provisions, and structures that the State must commit to safeguarding cultural heritage. The transmission of heritage is achieved through various expressions such as research, memorial plaques, and theater scenes.”

Martine Beaucicault, Specialist in Museum and Cultural Heritage Communication

The celebration occurs in a challenging context marked by insecurity and gang violence in the country, particularly in Port-au-prince and its surroundings. This fragile climate has forced many Konpa artists and groups to relocate abroad, primarily to the United States. Consequently, most Konpa events now take place in the U.S., Canada, France and the English-speaking caribbean countries, notably the Bahamas.

Locally, there are no announced tours by prominent Konpa bands and solo artists for the August ball season, especially in Port-au-Prince, where organizing such events has become rare. Few  performances by these groups occur in provincial clubs outside the capital.

Camille Despas, the Director General of the MCC, acknowledged the severe difficulties facing the country, describing the situation as a “human, societal, spiritual, and intellectual disaster.” Despas emphasized the need for collective effort from all Haitians to overcome these challenges and rebuild the country.

“Today we are living in a reality where the country is facing enormous difficulties,” Despas said. “We have each forgotten our role to play in building the country.”

The Konpa music timeline

Konpa, a significant genre in Haitian music, has undergone various transformations since its official creation in 1955. Observers often trace its evolution through different periods, highlighting its dynamic nature and cultural significance.

It originated from a variation of the Haitian meringue and quadrille, incorporating elements from Haitian twoubadou—popular genre of guitar-based and drum music, jazz and Cuban music. Creator Jean Baptiste and his musicians slowed down the rhythm and adapted the meringue, creating a style that symbolizes Haitian musical identity.

1950-1960: The orchestra era

The initial phase of Konpa Dirèk was dominated by orchestras or “Ensemble”. Notable groups included the Conjunto International Orchestra, founded by Jean Baptiste, and the La Flèche d’or Orchestra, founded by saxophonist Webert Sicot, on Aug 22, 1960. Sicot, initially a collaborator with Jean Baptiste, later developed his own rhythm known as “Cadence Rampas,” which featured a slightly faster tempo than the original Konpa. 

1970-1980: The rise of mini-jazz

This period saw the emergence of the so-called mini-jazz bands, which brought a new dynamic to the Konpa scene. Groups such as the Fantaisistes de Carrefour, Shleu Shleu, Les Gypsies of Pétion-Ville, Scorpio Universel and Les Difficiles of Pétion-Ville (later reformed as DP Express) were prominent. These bands often engaged in musical rivalries, contributing to the genre’s evolution and popularity. 

John Moïse, a specialist in cultural events, emphasizes that Konpa is not static but dynamic, continuously transforming over the years. This adaptability has allowed the music style to remain relevant and influential in Haitian culture.

Moïse added that the evolution of Konpa Dirèk reflects its ability to adapt and incorporate various musical influences while maintaining its core identity. From its origins in the 1950s orchestras to the rise of mini-jazz in the 1970s, Konpa has continually evolved, showcasing the richness and diversity of Haitian musical heritage.

The mni-jazz movement, influenced by bands like the Beatles and the YéYés, a style of pop music that emerged in western and southern Europe, modernized the Konpa music. Young musicians formed bands such as Skah-Shah, Bossa Combo and Tabou Combo, incorporating elements of rock, pop and latin music.

There had been instrumentation changes as well. This era saw a shift in instrumentation, with bands typically featuring two guitarists, a keyboardist, bass guitar, drums, a robust horn section and one or two singers.

This period is often regarded as the golden age of Konpa, marked by the use of brass and synthesizers. Bands like Magnum Band, Frères De Jean, Trio Select of Coupe Cloué, Septentrional and Tropicana were influential.

1986-Present: The era of digital Konpa

The advent of digital technology brought significant changes. Drum machines and electronic instruments became prevalent, reducing the need for large ensembles and traditional brass and percussion sections 2.

Modern Konpa groups, such as Enposib, blend traditional Compas with contemporary genres like rap and afro-beats, showcasing the genre’s adaptability and continued evolution.

Konpa has been submitted to UNESCO for recognition. 

In March 2024, Haiti officially submitted the candidacy of Konpa to be inscribed on the UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This effort underscores the cultural significance of the music style and aims to secure its recognition and preservation. 

Konpa is the country’s third submission to the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, following soup joumou and kasav.

The Konpa’s campaign candidacy did not begin in 2024. According to Frantz Délice, director of MCC Cooperation and Research Unit, discussions around the candidacy have been ongoing since 1996. This long process highlights the complexities and challenges involved in achieving such recognition.

Délice pointed out that misunderstandings between musicians and political aspects of the heritage process delayed the candidacy. Despite these obstacles, the objective of submitting the candidacy has been achieved, and now it awaits UNESCO’s validation.

“It provides a space of recognition and celebration for Haitians, both inside and outside the country,” Haiti’s permanent delegation at UNESCO in Paris said.

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Haiti celebrates the 69th anniversary of Konpa music amid plea for universal recognition was first posted on July 26, 2024 at 8:56 am.