Inspired from vocal interpretations of Vodou ceremonial songs and popular secular melodies, Creole Songs of Haiti, became a popular record back in the 1950s. Not only does it include ‘legendary’ Haitian singer, dancer, and folklorist Emerante de Pradines, but also features an all-male chorus Michele Dejan Group. This album has a special place in 1950s because of the folklore movement that was taking place in Haiti. This album was one of the first to stretch the boundaries of traditional arts. This was partly due to collaborators, like the Michele Dejan Group, that would arrange traditional Haitian tunes and turn them into “liturgical or full choral settings”.1 Haitian Vodou plays a large role on the influence of the lyrics in this album. Vodou is unique to the country because it is their official religion, and brought upon by the African ethnic groups who were once in slavery. However, they were converted by the Roman Catholics in the 16th and 17th centuries when they were transported to Saint Domingue (modern-day Haiti). The Vodou religion encompasses many different spirits, asking for things such as health and protection. Despite a language barrier in this album, it is evident just from some song titles that these values are sung about.2 In addition to this, album notes are provided.1 For example, the last song of the the album entitled “Ca’q’a Recevoir Moin?” translated as “Who Will Receive Me”, Ezile Freda, an extremely important deity, is actually saying those words. …show more content…
Creole Songs of Haiti. Folkways Records, Streaming Audio. Accessed September 27, 2015. http://search.alexanderstreet.com/view/work/72182. 2. Encyclopædia Britannica Online, s. v. "Vodou", accessed September 27, 2015, http://www.britannica.com/topic/Vodou. She is going away for some time to attend ceremonies elsewhere, but when she comes back