From December 1st to 24th, it is a tradition in the FWI to spend every night singing christmas hymns, listening to tales, eating and drinking among family members, friends and neighbours. People would go from houses to houses, improvising parties and playing music with whatever they have under their hands glasses, forks, drums ….
It is called « Chanté Nwel » or « Chanté Nöel ».
This tradition which is one of the main events (on these islands and in hexagonal France) is caracteristic of the creole culture made of syncretism : The songs are traditional medieval European (latin and french) christmas songs that have been creolized by the African slaves, that brought their own rythms and added some lyrics in creole language.
Today many bands have made of this event a professional act, perform on big stages and release CDs but the improvised family party still survives…
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Les chanté nwel, ces soirées où l’on se retrouve pour chanter les cantiques de Noël, boire, manger les plats traditionnels sont l’un des temps forts de la tradition aux Antilles Françaises, qui débutent dès le 1er décembre jusqu’au jour dit de Noël. (suite…)
Afroritmo 