Repeating Islands

Amy Edwards of Australia’s Herald newspaper, looks at the Haitian roots of the Creole Choir of Cuba

The singers behind the Creole Choir of Cuba share more than beautiful voices, they share history.

This vibrant 10-piece group, five men and five women, hail from Camagüey, Cuba’s third-largest city, but are originally from Haiti.

They tell the stories of their Haitian ancestors who were brought to Cuba to work in slave-like conditions in the sugar and coffee plantations.

Lead singer Fidel Romero Miranda, pictured front, said the choir was like an extended family.

‘‘People have warmed to us and our music, ready to welcome Haitian culture into their hearts,’’ he said through an interpreter.

The Creole Choir of Cuba sings mainly in Creole, a fusion of African, French and other languages. As Cuba’s second language, Creole is spoken by almost a million people and is the language of a people exiled.

The choir is touring the UK and arrives in Australia next week for WOMADelaide – Adelaide’s World of Music, Arts and Dance festival.

The group will then perform at the Civic Theatre Newcastle on Saturday, April 9.

‘‘We’ve been received with open arms all over; in the Netherlands and in the UK, and soon Australia, which we are looking forward to,’’ Miranda said.

The choir became popular after performing at the Edinburgh Festival in 2009.

Singer and muso Peter Gabriel saw them at the WOMAD festival in the UK during the same year and decided to record their album.

For the original report go to http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/news/general/creole-choir-of-cuba-really-hails-from-haiti/2090366.aspx