Why did you start a Chanté Nwel group ?

To reconnect with our culture and bring some warmth during the winter season. Chanté Nwel is a must-have part of Antillean culture, both in the homeland and in Paris! Here, we are also very interested in Chanté Nwel. It’s an opportunity to come together and share our culture. We often have exchanges with a very enthusiastic (and hot-blooded) audience, which encourages us to continue to perpetuate the tradition even 8,000 kilometers away from home.

How are you coping during this period of health crisis ?

It’s quite complicated because many performances have been canceled. But as I’ve said before, singing is in our blood. So we’ve adapted and are making the best of it. Chanté Nwel requires different organization to respect health measures: control of health passes, mandatory mask indoors, restricted audience. But one thing is for sure, we continue to sing.

A Christmas memory ?

In November 2019, we had the opportunity to organize our own Chanté Nwel in bo kay style [at home]. It may seem trivial, but modernity has taken over and we often forget the old traditions. We wanted to try a concept that was a bit more traditional, more old-fashioned…

Our Chanté Nwel was free, with a contribution per person (to drink or eat). And people totally embraced it. “Pa té ni moun lanmin balan” [No one came empty-handed]. Between 150 and 200 people. An amazing audience. The party lasted until the early morning! That’s Christmas for us.

Christmas in 5 words ?

Tradition, Conviviality, Family, Kantik and of course Rum

Interview conducted by : Aurélie FC

Photos by : Gaël Vicomte