Music of the Caribbean:

The Dominican Republic and Haiti

The History and Influences The Style and Music

History and Influences

For Music of the Dominican Republic
Throughout the Dominican Republics musical past, African percussion and beats that were brought over by slaves have dominated the countrys dance music. This fast-paced tempo is blended with Spanish, and in the case of the merengue, even German instruments. Many of the popular forms of music in the Dominican Republic are also shared in a varied form with Haiti since the two countries share what was originally known as the island of Hispaniola. Overall themes of current politics have always been incorporated into Dominican music to create awareness. Music from Cuba and Puerto Rico has also been very influential.

Styles of Music
Bachata (trans: rowdy lowerclass party) was developed among rural people in shantytowns and derived from the Cuban bolero. A forbidden dance, until very recently. Original themes of lamentation over lost loves. Uses guitars, claves, maracas, bongos, and guiros. Not originally a dance music, in later decades musicians sped up the tempo. For many years bachata has been ostracized by the people of the Dominican Rep., and struggled to gain recognition (assoc. with backwardsness, low social status, disreputable social contexts).

Styles of Music
Tumba (originated in Curaao) Precursor to merengue. African percussion and intricate 11-step dance. Risqu lyrics remained intact for rural dancers, but cleaned up for the Dominican elite. Original official dance of the Dominican; elite were reluctant to accept merengue.

Styles of Music
Merengue (much dispute over origins) The National Dance of the Dominican Republic. Uses guitars, guiros, maracas, tambora and bass drum, and is accompanied saxophone or accordion (perico ripiao). Originally rural music that was looked down upon for its explicit lyrics (sexual and political) and its suggestive dance moves. Gained true recognition under the regime of Rafael Trujillo, who used it as a symbol of the lower-class and as a way to project propaganda through lyrics. Classic rhythm of merengue remains unchanged despite modern instruments being added. (2/4 time)

A tambora drum

Spiritual Music
Suave Suave comprised of call and response singing. Uses panderos, atables, and other African instruments. Highly ceremonial and used in pilgrimages and parties that are dedicated to saints.

A pandero drum

Spiritual Music
Gag Parallels Haitian Ra-ra music (vodoun connections). Evolved on plantations. Often used during baptisms and other religious ceremonies.

Current Music of the Dominican Republic

Traditional music still very popular. Dominicans also enjoy incorporating salsa rock, and hip-hop into their merengue. Merenrap: merengue with elements of hiphop and house. Reggaeton from Puerto Rico is also very popular (made up of a blend of merengue, hip-hop, reggae, and bachata rhythm).

Music of the Caribbean: Haiti

Haitis African origins have always dominated the style of the countrys music, but their French colonial ties have been influential as well. Most Haitian music is centered on their most popular form of religion, Vodoun. Other styles of music stem from Haitis forms of popular Dominican music, such as mereng, a possible source of merengue.

Vodoun Rhythms
Rhythms vary greatly from region-to-region, and the music is formal and mostly percussion based. Two drums are very popular: Rada Drums (Tanbou Rada): cowhide covers Petwo Drums:
attached by pegs. Goatskin covers attached with cords (gives a more aggressive sound).

In the capital, Puerto Principe, popular Rada rhythms include: Yanvalou, mayi, zepol, and dawomen.

Vodoun Rhythms
Haitian lwa (or loa) are higher beings derived from African gods, with an overlay of Catholic saints. Each lwa has its own rhythms associated with it during ceremonies to invite its participation. When the U.S. invaded in1915, many vodoun ceremonies were used to reject U.S. culture. U.S. composers used vodoun melodies and rhythms to create vodou jazz. Vodou jazz appealed to many Haitians, and was used to create Haitian rap. During Carnival in Haiti, music known as ra-ra is used to celebrate integral parts of vodoun beliefs. Ra-ra is the source of Dominican, gag.