PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti 鈥� Compas, a beloved music and dance genre inspired by merengue and infused with percussion, made UNESCO鈥檚 cultural heritage list on Wednesday.
The syncopated rhythm, created in the 1950s, wafts from bars, bedrooms and businesses across Haiti, lifting spirits and providing solace from the country鈥檚 grinding poverty and .
On the night of Nov. 18, when Haiti for the first time since 1974, compas music accompanied a cheering crowd jogging through the streets of Port-au-Prince and dancing in their homes.
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Dominique Dupuy, Haiti鈥檚 former foreign affairs minister, called the inclusion of compas on UNESCO鈥檚 list 鈥渁n ode to joy.鈥�
鈥淚n these dark times our country is experiencing, we continue to usher in this new year, already lost for our youth, with a glimmer of hope,鈥� she wrote on social platform X.
UNESCO also recognized the Cuban Son, noting that its 鈥渓yrics are drawn from daily life, which are passed down orally.鈥�
A rhythm 鈥榯hat brings the dawn with gusto鈥�
In its praise for compas, UNESCO said the music 鈥渂rings together people of all ages, genders and backgrounds.鈥�
Compas, also known as konpa or kompa in Haitian Creole, incorporates the Haitian drum known as tanbou, congas, electric guitars and trumpets, among other instruments.
UNESCO said the music 鈥渉olds deep cultural significance鈥� and often touches on themes including love, freedom, peace and resistance.
At KOTR, a compas dance studio in Miami, owner Sony Laventure celebrated the news. He considers compas his therapy.
鈥淭his allows me to step away, it allows me to be free from all things,鈥� he said.
Laventure just got back from a trip to Kenya, where he taught instructors how to properly dance compas, and he鈥檚 leaving soon for Paris to share his knowledge.
鈥淢y dad was a musician, so we always grew up listening to konpa,鈥� he said, recalling how his mother loved to dance to it.
His favorite song is 鈥淪erenade des Melomanes,鈥� which is sung in Spanish, French and Haitian Creole. When he plays it, it reminds him of his father, who passed away.
Dupuy noted that UNESCO already has recognized , along with cassava, and that the inclusion of compas 鈥渞eaffirms our unwavering commitment to love, the joy of living and freedom of expression: this rhythm that brings the dawn with gusto, against all odds.鈥�
鈥業t makes me feel good鈥�
From Coup茅 Clou茅 to Carimi, compas still reigns supreme in Haiti 70 years after its creation.
Stevens Charles, a 35-year-old accountant, recalled how his father loved playing music by legendary bands Shleu-Shleu and Tabou Combo.
鈥淭his is the type of vibe that I grew up listening to,鈥� he said. 鈥淲hen you dance with a woman, you really don鈥檛 have to move, you can just stand still and hold the woman to your body and close your eyes.鈥�
Charles used to go out and listen to live compas bands, but, 鈥渘ow that we鈥檙e a country that鈥檚 under siege by gangs, nightlife has diminished.鈥�
He rarely goes out for fear of being killed, but he still listens to the music at home.
Haitians including Judeny Maurancy said they were proud that compas was recognized by UNESCO.
鈥淚t makes me feel good that we have music that is spreading, that people are enjoying in other parts of the world,鈥� she said.
The 25-year-old elementary school teacher said she listens to both old and new compas.
鈥淚鈥檓 not a great dancer, but I do go out and dance sometimes,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 like to listen to it more. It gives me a vibe that I enjoy.鈥�
A nightly serenade
Haitians across the world celebrated as the news about compas鈥� recognition began to spread on Wednesday.
Etienne Charles, a professor of studio music and jazz at the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami, said he wasn鈥檛 surprised.
The music has become extremely popular in places including West Africa, where it's played in Cape Verde, Benin, Togo and Senegal, he said.
鈥淚t has a wide reach. The beat is infectious,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he songs always include really great arrangements and improvisation.鈥�
Charles composed the score for 鈥淛azz Island,鈥� which premiered Friday at New York City鈥檚 Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and is based on a book by Geoffrey Holder. The last movement of the ballet sees two lovers connecting and dancing to compas.
The dance will be playing daily at the renowned theater for a month.
鈥淭hey鈥檙e going to be hearing compas every night,鈥� Charles said with a gleeful laugh.
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Coto reported from San Juan, Puerto Rico.
