As the clock struck midnight in Brooklyn, the rhythmic echoes of Haitian Rara drummers filled the air at Prospect Park. The jam session signaled the start of Labor Day and carnival celebrations for New York’s Caribbean community.
The sounds of Rara, a traditional Haitian music genre often played during Carnival, resonated through the park, blending seamlessly with the festive atmosphere of J’ouvert, where revelers danced in the streets to Caribbean beats.
Here’s a snapshot of the festivities. All photos by Steve Harewood for The Haitian Times.
A man with a “Haiti” tattoo pours libation onto a traditional Haitian drum during the Rara celebration. The ritual is part of the vibrant cultural expression, blending music, spirituality, and community. Photo Credit: Steve Harewood for The Haitian Times. An onlooker draped in a Haitian flag listens intently during the setup for the Rara procession. Photo Credit: Steve Harewood for The Haitian Times. A man plays the vaksin, a traditional Haitian bamboo trumpet, during the nighttime Rara procession. The event took place at Prospect Park, with participants dressed in red, blue, and white, colors reminiscent of the Haitian flag. Photo Credit: Steve Harewood for The Haitian Times. A man proudly waves a large Haitian flag during the Rara celebration, his attire also reflecting the colors of the Haitian flag. Photo Credit: Steve Harewood for The Haitian Times. A woman proudly waves the Haitian flag during the jam session. Her shirt reads “Black Queen Nutrition Facts” with her face painted and accessorized showing her cultural pride. Photo Credit: Steve Harewood for The Haitian Times. Two men play the vaksin, traditional Haitian horns, during the nighttime Rara procession in the park. The brightly colored instruments, painted in red, blue, and white, stand out against the night sky. In the background, police cars with flashing lights are visible, observing the event from a distance. Photo Credit: Steve Harewood for The Haitian Times. A man plays the vaksin, a traditional Haitian horn, during the nighttime Rara procession. The light from a streetlamp shines brightly behind him, casting his figure in silhouette while he blows into the colorful instrument. Photo Credit: Steve Harewood for The Haitian Times. Members of Plezi Rara hold traditional instruments like the vaksin and drums. The group stands under a streetlamp in a park, surrounded by trees and other revelers, creating a vibrant and communal atmosphere. Photo Credit: Steve Harewood for The Haitian Times.
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