This week we took a break from our interviews to meditate & groove to some powerful decolonization inspired music. This playlist was curated by and features the insanely talented and powerful Riva Précil. We are honored to share it with you and hope you enjoy it as much as we did! Check out what Riva had to share on what decolonization means to her, and head to the bottom of the post to listen to the Dekolonizasyon playlist featuring all Haitian musicians.
Kenbe la!
-HDC Fam
Decolonization Series Quick Dive:
What does “decolonization” mean to you personally?
To me it means going back to our roots, before we were stripped of our identities. Connecting with our ancestors and embracing our beautiful culture wholeheartedly.
What are you most proud of when thinking about being Haitian and Haitian culture?
Vodou would be at the top of my list; the songs, the traditional garments, the offerings, the colors, the dances, the rhythms, the vèvès, the altars, the entire fabric of Vodou is so multi-faceted and has been fascinating to me since I was a little girl. Runner ups would be traditional Haitian cuisine, art, music and of course the land itself.
If you were speaking to a group of Haitian elementary school students about the importance of staying connected with their roots- what would you most want to share?
In order to know who you are, you must know where you came from. It's so important to learn your history and familiarize yourself with the greats who paved the way for us to be here today.
We may have someone reading this who is just beginning their personal journey of decolonization. What encouragement or advice can you give them?
Question everything and trust your instincts. Be discerning when being fed certain information and find sources you can trust as you're doing so. There is so much mixed information out there, especially in this era, that it is important to check your sources as things can be misconstrued, even 'historical facts'. Trust that the ancestors will guide you in the right direction towards the truth.
How has music affected your own journey of decolonization?
Music has been an empowering tool for me, I find strength in singing and performing traditional songs that were passed down through generations. It's also a great way to enlighten and educate others through music which is a universal language.