HAITIAN RHYTHMS FOR RELIEF

Written by Greg Whitt Wednesday, 20 January 2010 00:00

Lots of people around the country are drumming to raise funds and awareness for earthquake relief efforts in Haiti.

One of my favorite rhythms is from Haiti and it’s called Yanvalou. Press the Play button below to start the video.

The clip above was shot on a portable camera by Lori Fithian during a filming break at the Pittsburgh video shoot mentioned in my last blog entry.

Shown are (left to right) Ed Boas from Sandusky, OH, Greg Whitt (that’s me) from Raleigh, NC, Arthur Hull from Santa Cruz, CA, Lori Fithian from Ann Arbor, MI, and Lala Precht from Westchester, MD. Of course these aren’t traditional instruments that we’re playing, but the spirit is there in those Remo drums!

Many facilitators are leading benefit circles to help raise funds following the devastation of the earthquake in Port au Prince.

Meghan Griffith & Grayson Gant along with old pal Jubal Creech will be holding one this Sunday, January 24, at Gateway Yoga from 4-6:30.

My sweetheart Annelies is brainstorming one as part of her Global Perspectives class at St. Augustine’s College.

Our friend and fellow drummer Bill Nathan, a former child slave featured in an Emmy winning episode of ABC News, runs the St Joseph’s Home for Boys in Haiti. Bill leads drumming at the orphanage and his pal Walnes teaches dance. Bill was seriously injured in the quake, but was evacuated to Florida according to this article. Calls to the hospital indicate he was discharged January 17. I’ll definitely be drumming for them! A more recent article indicates that Bill is now recovering in Raleigh! In fact, the last we played together was at Ten Thousand Villages jamming around the core rhythms for the Vodun rhythm Ibo. Vodun, the major folk religion of Haiti, grew out of the spiritual practices of several West African ethnic groups including the Fon of Dahomey (present day Benin and Togo) and the Yoruba from Nigeria. Their rhythms summon the lwa, or spirits. The accompanying dance is the method the lwa use to communicate.

The story goes that the Iwa called Ibo takes his name from the Ibo people in Africa, who had a reputation for bringing their fate into their own hands. The rhythm and dance called Ibo is said to represent the struggles of the African people and their unwillingness to be passive participants in their history. The movements symbolize breaking free of bondage and perseverance under adversity.

Like the rhythms of the world? Activate that global citizenship and get involved!

Come drum and support relief efforts in Haiti. Hope to hear you out there soon.....

-Gregory