Interview with Erol Josué

              Haitian Diaspora Oral History Collection
Interview with Erol Josué
Coral Gables, Florida, April 21, 2011
Interview ASM0085000002
Interviewed by Kevin Mason
Recorded by Kevin Mason and Cory Czajkowski
Outline by Kevin Mason and Xavier Mercado
Length: 36:37 minutes
Interview with Erol Josué, who talks about his work as a healer, houngan (Vodou priest), and performer. He has been called the “Prince of Haitian roots music,” and has achieved success internationally. He suggests that his electro-Vodou music “is a testimony of my experience in Europe, in New York, and America. It is the sound of the metro, the sound of the subway, the experience of my exile, (both) the crying and the joy.” This interview with Josué took place on the campus of the University of Miami on April 21, 2011. He discusses his music and his residency at Duke University, as well as he work as a Vodou healer.
This interview forms part of the Haitian Diaspora Oral History Collection of the University of Miami Libraries Special Collections.
This oral history expresses the views, memories and opinions of the interviewee. It does not represent the viewpoints of the University of Miami, its officers, agents, employees, or volunteers. The University of Miami makes no warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of any information contained in the interview and expressly disclaims any liability therefor.
Copyright to this interview lies with the University of Miami. It may not be reproduced, retransmitted, published, distributed, or broadcast without the permission of the University of Miami Libraries Special Collections. For information about obtaining copies or to request permission to publish any part of this interview, please contact Special Collections at asc@miami.edu.
Erol Josué 2
April 21, 2011
INTERVIEW OUTLINE
− 00:00:12: Introduction.
− 00:00:55: You are referred to as the Prince of Haitian Roots Music. That would require there to be a king, but how did that title come about?
− 00:03:36: Your friends called you that at a young age. Did it have anything to do with you being young and also a [Vodou] priest at the time?
− 00:04:22: You recently came back from a tour in Europe where you had great success. Can you talk about your first show and then the best show?
− 00:06:35: So your music, you say it is Haitian-electronic-Vodou. There are a lot of hyphens in there, and it’s a blend of certain things. Do you think that makes you a musician in the “World Beat” market?
− 00:08:11: Can you give some examples of traditional mizik rasin groups that have inspired you?
− 00:09:42: You had a recent performance where you performed for classical composer Philip Glass. How was it performing for him?
− 00:11:01: I’d like to talk about another performance. You did a Haitian Benefit concert at Duke University. You’ve had performances there but you also worked academically with their Haiti Lab with [historian] Laurent Dubois. Talk about the work you’ve been doing at Duke University.
− 00:13:04: What kind of choreography, Yan Valu, Banda, What was your artistic choice?
− 00:14:53: So that was like your academic and performative residency, but you were working with Dr. Linda Barnes at the Boston Healing Landscape Project. Can you talk about how that academic venture was a little bit different for you?
− 00:16:15: It seems like Barnes is interested in using the medicines of world religions to treat. Did you find any similarities or experience any other forms of treatment?
− 00:19:32: Can you describe the “washing of the blood” process? What role did that play, because it seems very important?
Erol Josué 3
April 21, 2011
− 00:20:24: In times of illness, a lot of people will try different forms of medication when bio-medical stuff doesn’t work. Did you experience people who may have been skeptical about other kind’s kinds of treatment, and then you’ve interacted with them and had success?
− 00:22:21: How about people who usually go to the hospital first but might be skeptical of the use of leaves or other medicines that are not from a pharmaceutical or a medical doctor? If they’re skeptical of taking your medication, have you ever experienced that?
− 00:23:40: In a healing ceremony, describe how patient would react?
− 00:25:35: Do you think there might be people in the Catholic church or Pentecostal church, but not really into [Vodou], but they will seek [Vodou] out in times of illness despite their religious background. Do you think that is accurate?
− 00:27:27: Can you tell me about the term “Dr. Fey” [(docteur feuilles)]? Are you one?
− 00:29:11: How about the term maladie bon dieu?
− 00:29:49: Can you contrast that with maladie magique?
− 00:31:21: So how could you counter a maladie magique?
− 00:31:50: Can you give an example of any kind of malady that you have treated successfully?
− 00:32:31: Is high blood pressure a big issue for you here in Miami, in Haiti, or is that a problem that represents itself in different cities?
− 00:33:06: What is your treatment for it? Would it include a diet plan or an herbal remedy? How would you prepare for something like that?
− 00:33:42: One question I have is in the form of “spirit possession.” Say for instance you have possession by Dambala or Ogu. Can you see that specific spirit is taking over a person with your naked eye?
− 00:35:50: What does cachiman treat?
− 00:36:26: Conclusion.
− 00:37:10: End of Interview.