Dancing Spirits: Rhythms and Rituals of Haitian Vodun, the Rada Rite (Contributions to the Study of Music and Dance) [Hardcover]

Gerdes Fleurant (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0313297185 | ISBN-13: 978-0313297182 | Publication Date: October 30, 1996

The reflexive approach and the concept of bimusicality have made possible this in-depth study of the Rada rite, the foundation of the complex and sensationalized religion of Haiti, Vodun. Fleurant returned to his native Haiti to immerse himself in the socio-cultural life of those who practice the religion that was brought to Haiti by the people captured in Africa from the 16th to the 18th centuries. Through total immersion in daily life culture and apprenticeship in the music culture (reflexive approach and concept of bimusicality), the author has accessed information and provided a descriptive analysis heretofore unavailable to scholars. From this privileged position, the author details the complexity, sophistication, and beauty of the ritual, music, and dance. The pioneering works on the music or the dance of Vodun have attempted to cover the whole ritual spectrum. Fleurant contends that the religion is too complex and too sensationalized to be treated in one volume and that each rite should be studied separately and in greater depth. Dancing Spirits examines drum rhythms, song tunes, and texts of the major Rada dances. A model of the Rada ceremony in Bopo, a community located some ten miles north of Port-au-Prince, serves as a guide to the reader not familiar with Vodun liturgy. The work challenges studies that do not delve deeply enough into this complex religion, and serves as a model for further studies.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Read the book...it contains a wealth of detailed information that is simply unavaulable anywhere else.”–New West Indian Guide

About the Author

GERDES FLEURANT is Associate Professor of Music at Wellesley College.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Greenwood Press (October 30, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0313297185
• ISBN-13: 978-0313297182
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,028,589 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Too expensive for content, poor presentation, August 3, 2008

By 

DDan "Dosou" (Evanston, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dancing Spirits: Rhythms and Rituals of Haitian Vodun, the Rada Rite (Contributions to the Study of Music and Dance) (Hardcover)

I teach afro-Haitian dance and wanted to find information about the dances to share with my students. I was attracted to this book for a long time ago but didn't want to spend all that money for a book. Recently I decided to make the investment to see what make this book so expensive. To be honest there are a lot of good information in it but I have read other less expensive book with more information than Dancing Spirits. If you want to sell a book for that kind of money at least use some good quality color pictures and illustrations. The pictures make the book looks like crap... and worthless for the money. No originallity, to me it seems like the author just copy and repeat what have alrady been written by Katherine Dunham, Lamatiniere Honorat, Lavinia Williams... Although some descriptions of the dances mentioned in the book are very helpful but lack details and beside some rada dances are missing for e.g. the author talked about zepol but did not explore the other variations like flavodou and dahome; what about all the Mayi variations: Mayi siye, Mayi dete or gete and laye? What about Yanvalou Mascaron, Yanvalou royal? I haven't finished my reading yet but feel very disappointed I was expecting to find information that no one has ever presented before about Haitian dances or Vodou. I will certainly return the book and get my money back. If you don't mind spending that kind of money for very little go ahead and buy this book but if you concern about where you putting your money find some other books. with $110 you can get at least 4 books with tons of info about the rada spirits and rites.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For the Poets and Musicians, July 13, 2006

By 

D. A. Graham "Student of Thoughts" (Louisiana, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dancing Spirits: Rhythms and Rituals of Haitian Vodun, the Rada Rite (Contributions to the Study of Music and Dance) (Hardcover)

This is a study of the songs, styles of dance and music frequently encountered at a Vodou service, with explanations thereof.

Where songs are quoted, they also are translated conveniently.

My interests don't run this way, however it was saved from being a dry read by being woven together with alot of history and wonderful descriptions of personal encounters the author had with significant people during research and all in all, this was the most interesting sections of the book and lifts it well above a mere study of form by breathing living substance into the topic.

I'm glad to have this book in my private collection.

If you are musically inclined and interested in Vodou, this is a must have classic.