Banda

Written by: Jean Belony Murat

Banda The months of July and August have arrived. It is the end of the classes but also and especially the beginning of the holiday village celebrations . That is the way, the way we used to do it We did not need millions of dollars The sun is the hottest during the summer All over villages are celebrating Neighbors picking up neighbors Family & friends that's how we celebrate August comes and everyone is excited People from Port-au-Prince won't stay put Starting with Miss Sandrine Everyone is looking for the fun Go and have fun Chorus Local women are dancing Banda People from Laferonay With local men are dancing Banda All the Rara bands going by Local women are dancing Banda They are dancing With local men are dancing Banda Some people come to the celebration to watch and see what goes on Also some comes to the street parties They come to  spend money The celebration doesn't need much Everyone is equal Once you are there you feel the vibe At least a dance will get you in a trance  At that party everyone is one It is a good time to meet Even if we are goin to split later We will see you next year God willing Chorus Local women are dancing Banda People laferonay Local men are dancing Banda All the Rara bands going by Local women are dancing Banda They are dancing Local men are dancing Banda Peanuts sellers, cookie and sweet coconut peddlers Candles peddlers, religious image peddlers Everyone here has to earn a living Local tourist, everyone is going to a concert it is Carnival atmosphere Truck Drivers, and baton Twirler, everyone is going to make money Yes, That is the way, the way we used to do it We were not embarrassed to dance Rara We have a  strong culture which does not exist any where else Tourist from all over the world come to admire our folklore Our traditions are worth more than gold But we neglect them Serenade at a girl's window, kermès day, we don't do them anymore To have fun Local women are dancing Banda People from Bwa Dumay With local men are dancing Banda All the Rara bands going by Local women are dancing Banda They are dancing With local men are dancing Banda Dancing Banda, dancing Banda, dancing Banda This is the way we dance Banda, this is the way my man What a well-dressed man! ***Banda is an erotic dance from Haitian traditional Vodou rhythm. Banda Les mois de juillet et d'Août arrivent…. C'est la fin des classes mais c'est aussi et surtout le commencement de la période des fêtes de village Men se konsa, konsa n ou te konn fè sa nou pat bezwen posede milyon'n dola an ete solèy la pi cho fèt chanpèt gaye tout kote vwazen pase pwan vwazin kouzen kouzin konsa plezi gaye mwa Dout la rive tèt nou cho moun nan pòtoprens pap rete depi sou manzè sandrine tout moun ap chache kot plezi a ye yal  pran plezi'n chorus neges lakay kap taye banda moun laferonay ak neg lakay kap taye banda tout bann rara'k pase neges lakay kap taye banda se danse yap danse ak neg lakay kap taye banda gen moun ki vin nan fèt chanpèt la se gade yo vin gade kijan lap pase konsa genyen ki vin nan fèt chanpèt la se lajan yo vini pou yo ka depanse fèt chanpèt pa mande gwo pa gen diferans nivo depiw la wap jwen anbiyans pou pi piti yon ti dans  ka mete'w an trans nan fet chanpèt tout moun mele s'on bon moman pou'n renkontre menm si apre'n pwal separe na wè lòt ane si Dieuvle chorus neges lakay kap taye banda tout moun lakou bare ak neg lakay kap taye banda tout bann rara'k pase neges lakay kap taye banda danse yap danse ak neg lakay kap taye banda Machan pistach, machan tablèt ak  machan dous kokoye Machan bouji, Machan imaj les Saints , tout moun la fòk manje Touris lokal, moun pwal  nan bal, se preskon anbiyans kanaval Chofè kamion, ak majò jon, tout moun ap fè lajan Oui se konsa konsa nou te konn fe sa Nou pat jennen lè'n te konn danse rara Nou gen yon kilti ki tre fò, ki pa ekziste lòt kote touris nan le mond antye konn debake vin admire folklò tradition nou vo plis ke  lò e poutan se li n'neglige serenad anba fenèt,  kermès jou fèt, nou pa fè sa ankò pou'n pran plezi''n neges lakay kap taye banda tout moun bwa Dumay ak neg lakay kap taye banda tout bann rara'k pase neges lakay kap taye banda se danse yap danse ak neg lakay kap taye banda taye banda, taye banda, taye banda sesa  nap taye banda, woy sesa gason taye banda ala Nonm Bòzò papa !