Exhibition

Rara: Invented Tradition and ritual of the Haitian Revolution (2024)

This exhibition is the result of a research-creation project about a ritual procession that Haitian peasants call « Rara». The exhibition, Rara: Invented Tradition and Ritual of the Haitian Revolution, represented five aspects of a cosmovision capturing the rupture, potential, and utopia of the Haitian Revolution. These are relational ontology, inclusive plurivocity, creative freedom, decolonial transculturation, and egalitarian utopia.

The exhibition: Rara - Invented Tradition and Ritual of the Haitian Revolution was held from August 6-10, 2024, at the Carrefour des arts et des sciences de l’Université de Montréal and at the Maison d’Haïti.

The exhibition: Rara - Invented Tradition and Ritual of the Haitian Revolution was held from August 6-10, 2024, at the Carrefour des arts et des sciences de l’Université de Montréal and at the Maison d’Haïti.

This painting by Damas Porcena is an imaginative dive into the revolutionary origins of Rara, a popular Haitian ritual blending spirituality, memory, and resistance. Damas depicts a Rara emerging from the Bois Caïman ceremony.

This painting by Damas Porcena is an imaginative dive into the revolutionary origins of Rara, a popular Haitian ritual blending spirituality, memory, and resistance. Damas depicts a Rara emerging from the Bois Caïman ceremony.

University of Montreal professors Christine Bernier and Analays Hernandez visiting the exhibition

University of Montreal professors Christine Bernier and Analays Hernandez visiting the exhibition

Performance by the group Rara Pa Nou at the Maison d’Haïti in Montreal, August 10, 2024, as part of the exhibition.

Performance by the group Rara Pa Nou at the Maison d’Haïti in Montreal, August 10, 2024, as part of the exhibition.

Main panel of the exhibition on Rara

Main panel of the exhibition on Rara

Painting by Richard Barbot capturing the liminality of the Rara ritual

Painting by Richard Barbot capturing the liminality of the Rara ritual

Liminal Principles of the Rara Ritual

Liminal Principles of the Rara Ritual

Liminal Principles of the Rara Ritual

Liminal Principles of the Rara Ritual

Object of ceremony for the Rara ritual

Object of ceremony for the Rara ritual

Rara’s musical instruments

Rara’s musical instruments

Costumes du Rara

Costumes du Rara