RARA TOU LIMEN HAITIAN DANCE COMPANY
  • Home
  • About
  • Class Offerings
  • DANCING SPIRITS | Workshops + Retreats
  • RASANBLE! Haitian Arts & Culture Festival 2024
  • RTL VODOU VOYAGE | Destination: Benin
  • YOUTH Offerings
  • BLOG | ashade says...
  • Reflections: AYITI CHERIE
  • ASHADE Designs
  • The Bay to Haiti! (reflections)
  • RTL KANAVAL GROUP
  • Photo Gallery
  • Upcoming Events
  • Video
  • Projects
  • Booking | Contact
Picture

almost. putting in that work...

5/26/2016

3 Comments

 
Remember I mentioned I'm chronicling my travels to Haiti, 2003-2015? Well, I'm ALMOST done! A year and five months later... Whew! I won't front. It's been a tedious process. Scanning old photos and revisiting journal entries, has kept me an emotional wreck, there aren't enough hours in the day, my computer has a mind of its own, and I've waited until the very end to transfer video footage from those mini DV tapes, onto a hard drive, with a rented camera, cause the camera that was used to record the footage is busted, and on its last leg. I knew it wouldn't be easy.
Aside from the woes, looking at these old videotapes, along with the most recent clips, has put the project into perspective. I get it. This footage wasn't meant to just stay in a box. I came across some material from my first visit to Lakou Souvenance in 2007. Hadn't seen this footage in YEARS. This was a time before the Cultural Exchange Trips were a thought. A time where I was hungry (still) for the knowledge and excited about what Haiti would teach me on that particular trip. I'm happy to share it with you, and with my folks from the Bay who've experienced the beauty and magic of Lakou Souvenance.
This video highlights several days at Lakou Souvenance with Societe La Belle Etoile. Souvenance is one of three Lakou's, (Badjo, Soukri) located in Gonaives, Haiti. This particular Lakou pays homage to the Spirits of Dahomey.
Video Credit: Daniel Brav Brevil | April 2007
This video is part of an upcoming project: Reflections: AYITI CHERIE - A Black Women's Journey (2003-2015)

Picture
3 Comments

speak on it...

5/22/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
It's no secret that I have hang-ups when it comes to public speaking. I know where it stems from, so at least I can continue to work on my insecurities and improve.
I was approached by @beenishfahmed, a journalist who was reporting on the social, political, and personal life of Vodou in Haiti. She was curious about my experiences at Lakou Souvenance, and wanted me to speak on the fact that my people from the Bay - my friends, students and RTL sisters were there to experience the ultimate ceremony where devotees revere ancient, ancestral spirits, that link us to our native homeland. Of course, I had reservations, but you know what? I did it. I just spoke from the heart. It's a process...still learning and growing.
Follow @beenishfahmed on IG. She took some amazing shots during her stay in Haiti. Will keep you all posted when her work is published.
#lakousouvenance #vodou #haitianvodou #deka #culturalexchange #thebaytohaiti2016 #haiti #gonaives #growth #publicspeakingwoes #documentation #raratoulimen

Photo Credit: Jarrel Phillips - participant "The Bay to Haiti" Cultural Exchange Trip 2016

Picture
Easter Sunday. The wake-up call is at the crack of dawn. Hours of rituals, salutes, sacrifices, prayers, dancing, drumming and singing for the Spirits. It's now time to get refreshed. The initiates make their way to the pool, pray a little bit more, then proceed to jump in to receive the healing waters at Lakou Souvenance. Ayibobo!

#lakousouvenance #vodou #deka #haiti #gonaives #thebaytohaiti #thebaytohaiti2016 #culturalexchange #raratoulimen #haitianvodou

Photo Credit: Jarrel Phillips - participant "The Bay to Haiti" Cultural Exchange Trip 2016

Picture
Where it all goes down. The temple.
The temple at Lakou Souvenance has changed drastically since my first visit in 2007. Now, it looks and feels like a church. Gone are the hard wooden benches that killed your bottom. They've upgraded to pews. We in church for real! The energy inside? On a whole different level. The Vodou is thick and very real. I love this place.
#lakousouvenance
#mystik #vodou #haitianvodou #deka #thebaytohaiti2016 #culturalexchange #raratoulimen #haiti #gonaives

Photo Credit: Jarrel Phillips - participant "The Bay to Haiti" Cultural Exchange Trip 2016

Picture
Procession to the Mapou | Photo Credit: Christine Joy Ferrer (2016)
0 Comments

    Author

    Ashade

    Dancer. Choreographer. Artistic Director. Singer, Healer. Messenger. Educator. Vodouyizan. Community Servant.

    Archives

    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    August 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    December 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    December 2015
    October 2015
    August 2015

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

We Would Love to SEe you soon!


Hours

M-F: 10- 5pm

Telephone

(510) 967-1760

Email

[email protected]
  • Home
  • About
  • Class Offerings
  • DANCING SPIRITS | Workshops + Retreats
  • RASANBLE! Haitian Arts & Culture Festival 2024
  • RTL VODOU VOYAGE | Destination: Benin
  • YOUTH Offerings
  • BLOG | ashade says...
  • Reflections: AYITI CHERIE
  • ASHADE Designs
  • The Bay to Haiti! (reflections)
  • RTL KANAVAL GROUP
  • Photo Gallery
  • Upcoming Events
  • Video
  • Projects
  • Booking | Contact