Franco-Haitian Afro-Cuban – Dance
The Franco-Haitian tradition in Cuba comes from Haitian migrants and their descendants, mainly in the east of the island. It includes the tumba francesa, the gagá processions, nagó and the vodú religion.
Two waves of migration
- After the Haitian Revolution (1791–1804), French planters fled with their enslaved people to eastern Cuba, especially to Guantánamo and Santiago de Cuba. The tumba francesa grew out of their coffee plantations.
- In the early 20th century, many Haitians came as field labourers (braceros) to the cane fields; between 1912 and 1916 annual migration rose from 8,784 to 79,274 people. Most stayed, in rural communities near the plantations, among others in Camagüey, Ciego de Ávila and Guantánamo. They spoke Haitian Creole.
The traditions
- Tumba francesa: drums, song and dance from the coffee plantations, with French salon figures; recognised by UNESCO.
- Gagá: processions in Holy Week, with bamboo trumpets (vaksin) and drums, originally maintained by the vodú societies.
- Nagó: in Haitian Vodou, one of the "nations" of spirits.
- Vodú: Haitian Vodou as practised in eastern Cuba.
📝 Sources