Haitians across South Florida will honor native tradition and spirituality as they celebrate through music and dance the island nation鈥檚 annual 贵猫迟 Gede 鈥� Festival of the Dead 鈥� which is Haiti鈥檚 version of the Day of the Dead.
鈥淲e need to find ways to stay connected to our roots,鈥� said Haiti-born star Tafa Mi-Solei, whose music, including acclaimed songs like 鈥溾�� (land and community) and 鈥溾�� (Roots), captures the community spirit of 贵猫迟 Gede.
鈥淭his is what we are,鈥� she told SA国际传谋. 鈥溾�奧e can be our own lakou anywhere in the world if we can find ways to keep the spirituality alive.鈥�
Mi-Soleil鈥檚 "pop-roots" style of music, as she calls it, blends Haitian genres such as rab貌day and rasin with popular styles like Afrobeats and gospel. Mi-Soleil said it's her way of making traditional Haitian music and culture more accessible to people interested in the songs and cultural practices.
The mixture of her sound is also symbolic of 贵猫迟 Gede itself, which typically blends African, Vodou and Catholic influences to honor ancestors and the lakou.
The 贵猫迟 (festival) is observed annually on Nov. 1 and 2, dates coinciding with All Saints鈥� Day and All Souls鈥� Day.
The observation is deeply rooted in Haitian Vodou 鈥� the Gede refers to a family of spirits, and participants of the festivities use Gede to honor the dead through rituals at cemeteries, altars, song and communal dance.
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The , hosted by Haitian musician Natidredayiti at the Miami Beach Bandshell, also features headliners like jazz trumpeter , Afro-electronica artist , and the band .
Val Jeanty, also known as Val-Inc, is a pioneer of 鈥淰odou-Electro鈥� and Afro-Electronica, blending traditional Vodou rhythms and rituals with modern electronic sounds.
She grew up in Haiti surrounded by Vodou; her grandmother was a mambo (priestess), making spiritual practices and Vodou culture a fundamental part of her life.
Jeanty uses 贵猫迟 Gede to "get some spiritual guidance" and express "gratitude."
"Fete Gede is super personal," she told SA国际传谋."You can communicate with the loved ones from the past."
In large Haitian communities in New York, Miami, New Orleans and Chicago, events and ceremonies are often organized to honor ancestors and preserve cultural traditions.
Mi-Soleil said traditional African spirituality, like Vodou, is both the creative heart and foundation of the celebration.
贵猫迟 Gede, however, isn鈥檛 widely celebrated within the Haitian diaspora, especially among Haitians who are unfamiliar with or do not practice Vodou traditions. But it has seen a resurgence.
Mi-Soleil told SA国际传谋 that the festival will also serve to educate Haitians who may be disconnected from the history of the tradition, during at a pivotal time when there are increasing efforts to raise awareness.
鈥溾�奍 think it's getting better because nowadays people find it more interesting,鈥� she said. v鈥淭hey are more curious about their culture. So I think we're on our way to do things better.鈥�
IF YOU GO
What: Fet Gede: Tafa Mi-Soleil + Jean Caze
When: Saturday, November 1st at 7:00 PM
Where: Miami Beach Bandshell: 7275 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33141
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