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Boukman Eksperyans Review by Paul "El Dormido" Taylor Witnessing a performance given by the Haitian group, Boukman Eksperyans, is not an issue of entertainment or amusement. Rather it is a manifesto of political and social liberation, a statement of cultural identity uttered within a climate of oppression, and an expression of spiritual reality. On the other hand, since Boukman Eksperyans gives utterance to these things using a rich vocabulary of musical expression, witnessing a performance by them can transport an audience into transcendent states. They are booked for an August 11 date at the Grand Emporium (3832 Main St.). I saw them there last year. I'd heard their music, and the music of other Haitian groups that followed the music revolution sparked by them, and I found it to be unique among the various genres of the Afro-Pop world. It's hard to get a fix on it because, while being a mixture of roots music, Vodou jazz, Zairean soukous and reggae, it doesn't sound like any one of those influences. It is Haitian music. Haitian music itself has several complex conventions to begin with. First, there is the solo/response structure of the singing. The solo singer sings first and the chorus answers. Then there is the 12/8 meter pattern (4 main beats, each is sub-divided by three). Try counting that out with one hand! It is heavily drum driven music but rhythmically unlike those found in more familiar styles of Afro music, such as Salsa/Afro-Cuban music, Juju, soukous, or any of the American music styles based on African culture. When I saw them last year, there wasn't a single type of western percussion instrument to be seen. A complement of three percussionists used a wide array of hand drums, and the whole band was constantly using various rattles, shakers, bells and other percussive instruments to lay a rich rhythmic texture for the music. The percussion was overlayed with haunting, ethereal voicings of bass, guitar and synthesizer. There was, then, this constant tension between the very natural and primal sound of the percussionists, and the high technology processed sound of the electric instruments. They also sing in Creole. Seeing them at the Grand Emporium is unique. Many expatriates, Haitian and otherwise, find it a hospitable place to come out and express themselves in dance and song, as if they were at home. So, for the moment, it's like stepping into another country entirely! The group's name is also a significant challenge in itself: Boukman comes from Boukman Dutty, a slave and Vodou priest, helped unify Haitian slaves in a revolution against the French colonists in 1791, which eventually led to Haiti becoming the first independent country of African decent in 1804. Eksperyans comes from the participatory aspect of the Vodou religion. Their expression of their Vodou spirituality is a strong theme in their music. Vodou is a religion that includes elements of West African and Central African religions, Taino Indian(the original inhabitants of Haiti) spiritual practices, Christianity, and Freemasonry. Vodou means "sacred" in the Fon language of West Africa. The West African Yoruba religions were carried to Haiti during the African slave trade. Once in Haiti, the Yorbuan beliefs were intermingled with the Catholicism of the French to form Vodun. It is a spirit based religion; its followers believe all living things serve their gods or loa, and are therefore extensions of the deity. Rituals are practiced primarily to make offerings to the loa and ask for favors. The rituals are guided by ordained priests or priestesses, called respectively houngans or mambos, and are held in consecrated structures called hounforts. The band has been around since the late '70s when they initiated a Haitian music revolution. Their "voudo rock" took on the popular, and safe, dance music style known as "compas". The lineup for the group, in an April, 1999 performance, included: THEODORE "Lolo" BEAUBRUN, Jr. - Lead Vocal, Band Leader Fundamentally, the music Boukman Eksperyans performs is a joyous celebration, a reaching out for the most elevated expression of the spirit. Without knowing all the background about the band, just walking in on one of their performances will carry you away, touch your soul, get your feet and body moving. Not bad for a Wednesday night!
--Paul "El Dormido" Taylor
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