NEG GINEN - OGOU BWE (vinyl 45T)

Description

"Nèg Ginen" is a composition by Jean Claude Dorvil over a traditional Nago rhythm (from Benin). "Nèg" in Haitian Creole means the guy, the fellow. It is about the pride of being Haitian with solid African roots. For when we speak of "Ginen," we are speaking of Africa. Like most of Chouk Bwa’s songs, this one is packed with references to Haitian Vodou rites and figures. Simbi Ganga is a lwa (Vodou spirit) from the lakou (Vodou temple) Soukri Danach who lives in the water. Wild and brutal when he is chained, he is a worthy representative of the Kongo lwa, that is, ready to bring the party! Kebyesou is a lwa from Dahomey Vodou — his space is the lakou of Souvnans (another Vodou temple). He is a royal figure, like the Dahomey lwa in general. The Vodou families are therefore all present! "Ogou Bwe" is a well-known traditional piece in Haiti, whose lyrics stand out for their humor: "Ogou (god of war) drinks, he is never drunk. And me, when I fall, who comes to pick me up?"