Chouk Bwa Libète is a traditional Haitian Mizik Rasin-roots music-band. The source of our music is the essential elements of Haitian Vodou: rhythm and dance. These are the roots, torn from Africa, and secretly replanted in a new land. Our songs are a blend of traditional songs and original compositions by Jean Claude Sambaton Dorvil.
Our drummers are unanimously recognized in the Gonaives’ Vodou communities of Lakous Badjo, Souvenance and Soukri as master drummers. Our two dancers Edèle and Maloune don’t perform choreography. Their movement relies on the same kind of deep knowledge of Vodou rhythm as the drummers.
We continue the tradition of groups like Boukman Eksperyans, Boukan Ginen, and Rasin Mapou de Azor. However, in comparison with our predecessors, we have chosen not to add any other instruments in order to stay closer to the original elements of Vodou culture and music. Our repertoire is one of songs full of Vodou spirituality, but whose form is also very distinct from ceremonial music.