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The Beauty of Bèlè

In class this week we try dancing to Martinican Bèlè, a form of West African-inspired music and dancing in Martinique that became an essential part of the working and family life of enslaved Africans on the island.

A traditional bèlè song starts with a call and response section led by a vocalist singing in Antillean Creole. (Watch this video of Martinican Bèlè in motion to get an idea.) After that comes a rhythmic section featuring the Ti-Bwa, two sticks that play on the back of a tambour, a goblet drum with a goatskin head, making music for an exuberant dance. In our classroom, the Twi-Bwa may be two pencils and our tambour may be a textbook, but our bèlè is beautiful.

A Swaré Bèlè

If, on your travels to Martinique you are lucky enough to be invited to a “Swaré Bèlè” (a Bèlè party)…ACCEPT THAT INVITATION!

Bèlè is an invigorating African-inspired dance found in Martinique. When you accept that invitation to a If, on your travels to Martinique you are lucky enough to be invited to a Bèlè party — a “Swaré Bèlè” — you will be able to see or join “la ronde Bèlè” (the Bèlè circle) that will have “La vwa” (the singer and the backup singers called “Le répondè”), lé tambouyé (2 drummers), “Le bwatè” (someone setting the rhythm, hitting the back of the drum with two sticks).