Interview with Matisou Légba

              Haitian Diaspora Oral History Collection
Interview with Matisou Légba
Haitian Cultural Center in Miami, August 12, 2013
Interview ASM0085000038
Interviewed by Lucrèce Louisdhon-Louinis
Recorded by Javier Carrion
Outline by Lucrèce Louisdhon-Louinis and Djevelyne Phileus
Length: 01:01:03
Interview with Matisou Légba, a well-known Haitian drummer who has been studying and playing the traditional Vodou rites and tempos for over 25 years. He first learned these rhythms as a dancer, and was drawn to the healing of the drums while he was doing research. Living with peasant teachers in the mountains of Haiti, he learned the 21 ceremonial rhythms and dances, as well as their ancestral meanings. As one of the master drummers from Haiti, Légba has been privileged to drum for Lakou Souvenance, Lakou Badjo, and Lakou Soukri, the three most sacred Vodou temples in Haiti. He has also performed professionally with such musical groups as Ayanbonmbe, Boukan Ginen, Samba Yo, Djam Lakay and his own band, Djanaye. Légba is best known for his work in the hit “Le a Rive,” which was released in 1993 with Boukan Ginen, and his work in Ayabonmbe’s hit musical video “Severin” in 2000.
This interview is conducted in Kreyòl.
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.
Matisou Légba 2
August 12, 2013
INTERVIEW OUTLINE
− 00:00:13: Introduction.
− 00:00:32: Good Evening Matisou, today, this afternoon we will be having a little conversation on your experiences, who you are, and what you do.
− 00:00:40: We’ll start off by you telling us where you were born, where you grew up, where you went to school, things like that so that we might have an idea of who you are.
− 00:01:43: They used to bring you to Jacmel. (not stated as a question)
− 00:02:29: When you were growing up in Port-au-Prince what school did you attend? Give us an idea.
− 00:02:42: Through everything, you were meeting people and were a Seventh Day Adventist, then you developed an interest for what true Haitian culture is?
− 00:04:49: Yes, so they put you out of the house now and you were on your own?
− 00:05:14: You went to live with your other aunt and she didn’t have a problem with Haitian culture? She actually encouraged you?
− 00:05:59: You already had this traditional exposure from your mother?
− 00:06:06: When you started dancing you started meeting new groups, you even told me you met ‘KNK.’
− 00:09:50: Sanbayo was a band? A traditional band?
− 00:10:25: Let me ask you something, when you begain playing the drums you spoke about, what do you call it… a certain vodou tent?
− 00:12:32: All of these groups are in Gonaive? Okay Soukri.
− 00:12:40: And they are alive currently? Do they still work?
− 00:14:12: Wow, that is a beautiful experience to be a part of these ceremonies and to really know all these cultural things.
− 00:14:20: But you just said something, your name used to be Mirto but you changed it to Matisou Légba. I am interested in knowing why you made the change.
Matisou Légba 3
August 12, 2013
− 00:15:22: What is a ‘Parenn’?
− 00:17:14: But what is your legal name?
− 00:17:18: Mirto Xavier, yes.
− 00:17:27: Okay, but it’s important, because for all intents and purposes, we want to know that Mirto Xavier is Matisou Légba. I know that you are Matisou Légba and that’s what interests me.
− 00:18:32: Because your father lived there?
− 00:18:57: So your grandfather met your grandmother, okay.
− 00:20:09: But your roots called you?
− 00:20:25: In the roots movement, tell me how you got started with the movement. You seem to be a key player in the movement; there was a beginning. There is a lot we now know of the roots movement but there is still much to be known. How did you start? How did the roots movement start, as you were one of the first people to take part in this movement?
− 00:21:27 Sanba Zao?
− 00:23:18: That is my song, that is my preferred song,
− 00:23:38: Oh, so that is where Boukan Ginen came from?
− 00:23:45: That is why their music is very similar.
− 00:25:52: I liked Koudja alike.
− 00:26:42: The Roots movement?
− 00:26:44: Wow, so you have traveled and really shared the Haitian Culture in many places.
− 00:27:21: Okay, so let me ask, when you go to teach at Florida International University and other colleges, what method do you use to teach others to play the drums?
− 00:28:15: The way you were doing show it to me again.
− 00:28:53: Give me an example. Something very simple.
− 00:29:38: So they start a set of sounds in one county and another person receives it and communication is made?
− 00:29:45: Among the songs, give an example that explains exactly what you said.
Matisou Légba 4
August 12, 2013
− 00:31:05: Well, then try to answer that question because we have some students that are listening, so tell them why all the things we hear in Africa sit in Haiti. What rituals are we talking about? Tell us so we have a clear idea.
− 00:32:44: Tofouban, for us to understand, where is it exactly, what area? In the area of Jérémie, Haiti? Give us an idea of why someone would say, “Why you are talking about Tofouban?”
− 00:33:21: Limited by?
− 00:33:28: So, that means people who are not really included in the religion won’t know what it is?
− 00:34:50: They weren’t happy. You didn’t speak Japanese.
− 00:36:44: There you go! You learned a great lesson.
− 00:37:07: Our vodou?
− 00:37:31: Yes but the rituals are not the same, right?
− 00:37:53: Right, it’s their temple.
− 00:37:58: But tell me how their rituals are the same as African rituals and the rituals that we have?
− 00:38:51: The plantains found in Haiti? You saw them in Japan?
− 00:39:42: Yes, it’s true, I am so glad I just learned this because I haven’t gone to Japan. This is very interesting, what other countries have you been to that have cultural similarities to Haiti.
− 00:40:22: They begin to convulse in place?
− 00:41:28: Our bodies have more water than anything.
− 00:43:22: Which is why some people don’t have certain reactions to things and they often don’t feel certain things?
− 00:43:44: Yes, that is sure.
− 00:49:27: This is a serious experience! But tell us, what future projects do you have that you would like to share with us as we finish up?
− 00:50:23: Is it a band? Oh, a group.
− 00:51:12: The youth needs something that will hold them up and interest them. Matisou Légba 5
August 12, 2013
− 00:51:47: Here is their tradition.
− 00:57:07: It wasn’t yet your time [to die in Fort Dimanche]. Well, I am very happy that this experience wasn’t your faith because otherwise we wouldn’t have met.
− 00:58:05: No they are waiting for you, we are done talking. I told them all that you would do a small gig for us. You can now say whatever else you want.