By Patrice Noël
Port-au-Prince (EFE).- In nightclubs across Haiti’s capital, people continue to gather cautiously to dance konpa, a traditional Haitian music and dance style, defying widespread insecurity just days after UNESCO inscribed the genre on its List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Despite ongoing violence and fear in Port-au-Prince, konpa, also known locally as kompa, remains a rare space of social connection and emotional relief, with Haitians turning to the dance as both celebration and quiet resistance.
Inside the city’s nightclubs, colorful lights, classic konpa tracks and a close-knit dance floor create a striking contrast with the deserted streets outside, emptied by fear and limited traffic.
A refuge amid insecurity
While security measures are tight, venues remain active and orderly, reflecting what dancers describe as a collective desire to preserve moments of normalcy and joy.
“Konpa is a living memory. With every note, it tells a story of our ancestors, our struggles, but also our joy of living,” konpa enthusiast Luisdy Langlois told EFE. “It’s a heritage we carry with elegance and emotion.”
“When I hear konpa, I feel at home, wherever I am,” he added. “This music brings people together and reminds us that Haitian culture is rich and very much alive.”
Langlois described kompa as “a universal language with a Haitian soul.”
“Even without understanding the lyrics, you can feel the soul of Haitian people in every chord, every rhythm. It’s music that crosses borders,” he said.
UNESCO recognition
On Dec. 10, UNESCO officially added Haiti’s konpa to its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, following an evaluation of the country’s nomination by the Intergovernmental Committee meeting in New Delhi.
The genre has long played a central role in Haiti’s social life and has spread internationally through the Haitian diaspora.
Its lyrics often address themes such as love, freedom, resilience and peace, but it also talks about the violence that the country has been through since 1970.
Mostly, konpa has served as emotional support during national crises, including after the 2010 earthquake.
Haiti’s Ministry of Culture welcomed the decision, describing konpa as “much more than a musical genre.”
“Konpa is a voice, an identity and a collective spirit,” the ministry said in a statement. “It unites Haitians around their Amerindian, African and Western heritages and remains one of the most vibrant symbols of the creativity, resilience and festive spirit of the Haitian people.”
The ministry said the recognition reflects “long-term efforts” involving public officials, musicians, researchers, cultural institutions, music schools, dance associations and artistic communities that have preserved the practice for decades.
Prior and resilience
For dancers like Jean Eddy Desius, kompa represents far more than entertainment.
“It’s a symbol of identity and national pride,” he told EFE. “When I dance konpa, it feels like a silent dialogue, a deep connection with my partner and the music, with fluid movements, subtle guidance and hips moving to the rhythm of the percussion.”
In a country facing profound political and security challenges, the UNESCO designation has been widely welcomed as a moment of collective pride.
“I think it’s a great victory and an immense source of pride for Haiti,” Desius said.
As insecurity continues to shape daily life, konpa endures as a cultural anchor, a dance that celebrates life, preserves memory and offers Haitians a sense of unity amid uncertainty. EFE
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