Rara: The Sound of Haiti’s Lenten Season

Rara is one of Haiti’s most powerful musical traditions. Every year during Lent, rara bands take to the streets with drums, bamboo trumpets and singing, drawing crowds that dance and march behind them. The season builds toward Holy Week and reaches its peak over Easter weekend.

The instruments

The signature sound of rara comes from the vaksen — bamboo tubes that each play a single note, combined in interlocking patterns. They are joined by drums, metal horns, rattles and the voices of singers and the crowd.

Music, spirituality and protest

Rara has deep roots in Haitian spiritual life and in the history of the countryside. Bands are often tied to a community or a lakou, and their songs can carry humor, social commentary and political messages — making rara both a celebration and a voice for the people.

Where to experience it

Rara can be heard across Haiti, and Léogâne is especially famous for its celebrations. In the diaspora, rara groups perform in cities such as New York, Miami and Boston. Read our story on the Fête Rara Guédé in Léogâne.