Music is woven into the daily life of Haiti — you’ll hear it in the streets, in homes, at celebrations, and in moments of worship. It reflects the country’s rich cultural blend, shaped by African, French, Indigenous Taíno, and Spanish influences and deeply rooted in both spiritual and social expression. Religious traditions have long shaped Haitian sound. From the powerful drumming and chants linked to Vodou, which played a central role after independence in 1804, to later Catholic and hybrid forms, music has accompanied worship and ritual for generations. Festive traditions like Rara — with bamboo and metal horns known as vaksin — animate street processions during the Lenten season, while Carnival brings bands and dancers together in vibrant parades. Music and politics are also tightly linked in Haiti. Political movements and campaigns have used song to rally support or voice dissent, and genres like mizik rasin emerged in the 1970s by fusing traditional rhythms with reggae, rock, and funk to express resistance and cultural pride. From the mid-20th century onward, popular styles such as Kompa (or Konpa) — a lively blend of guitar, horns, and percussion — became widely loved and continue to evolve today with electronic and contemporary influences. Haitian artists also make their mark in rap, hip-hop, and other modern forms, with performers like the Barikad Crew and internationally known figures such as Wyclef Jean illustrating the diversity and global reach of Haitian music. Across genres and generations, Haitian music remains a living expression of community, spirituality, resilience, and joy, sustaining identity at home and across the diaspora. After a period of political and economic instability, Haitian art experienced a major revival in the 1930s with the Indigenist movement and the founding of the Centre d’Art. This institution played a pivotal role in bringing Haitian painting to international attention, supporting both self-taught and academically trained artists. Subsequent movements, including Réalisme de la Cruauté and modernist currents emerging from spaces like the Foyer des Arts Plastiques and Galerie Brochette, pushed Haitian art toward greater formal, social, and intellectual complexity. By the 1960s, new directions emerged through groups such as Calfou and Saint-Soleil, alongside bold modern and experimental voices. Today, Haitian painting continues to thrive at home and abroad, celebrated for its spiritual depth, visual power, and enduring connection to history and culture. CRUDEM Foundation. (n.d.). Music in Haiti. https://crudem.org/music-in-haiti/