2014 - Honduras
Garifuna Folk Music
Musical travels to Honduras are rare. And deciding not to have the curiosity to discover their music would be a huge mistake. As soon as you start playing Aurelio Martinez’ Lándini, the sun is high and the infectious rhythms immediately transports you to a dancefloor of sand and water.
In an astonishing succession of songs, the many voices composing Martinez’ album all join in the same quest to unite every individual and make them understand how much groove and poetry you can find within yourself, within your own sense of rhythm.
Of course, talking about Garifuna folk music cannot be only about groove, it also has to do with its origin. In 1635, a ship of African slaves coming from Nigeria goes down near the island of Saint-Vincent, in the Caribbean. From this encounter between Nigerians and Caribbeans is born a new culture, the Garifunas. The population of the island had to fight White invaders across centuries and moved to Honduras, Guatemala, as well as Nicaragua and Belize.
Nowadays, the Garifuna music is a reminder of this unique encounter that happened during the 17th century and continues to sing the traditions, struggles and identity of a population of endless creativity. Lándini, with its drums (called Primero and Segunda), shakkas (maracas) and chants, is an incredible insight so everyone can discover, and most of all, can feel the sacred joy that fills the heart of the Garifunas.
In an astonishing succession of songs, the many voices composing Martinez’ album all join in the same quest to unite every individual and make them understand how much groove and poetry you can find within yourself, within your own sense of rhythm.
Of course, talking about Garifuna folk music cannot be only about groove, it also has to do with its origin. In 1635, a ship of African slaves coming from Nigeria goes down near the island of Saint-Vincent, in the Caribbean. From this encounter between Nigerians and Caribbeans is born a new culture, the Garifunas. The population of the island had to fight White invaders across centuries and moved to Honduras, Guatemala, as well as Nicaragua and Belize.
Nowadays, the Garifuna music is a reminder of this unique encounter that happened during the 17th century and continues to sing the traditions, struggles and identity of a population of endless creativity. Lándini, with its drums (called Primero and Segunda), shakkas (maracas) and chants, is an incredible insight so everyone can discover, and most of all, can feel the sacred joy that fills the heart of the Garifunas.