The Library of Congress >  Researchers >  Search Finding Aids  >  Vodou religious expression in Haiti collected by Odette Mennesson Rigaud, Milo Rigaud, and Shirley Keller, 1944-1985

Vodou religious expression in Haiti collected by Odette Mennesson Rigaud, Milo Rigaud, and Shirley Keller, 1944-1985

Contact UsHelpSearch All Finding Aids
« Previous Page | Next Page »Series 2: Vodou-related recordingsNavigate Contents List
ContainerContents
Series 2: Vodou-related recordings (continued)
Sound recording, November 12, 1980 (continued)
Extent: 1 sound tape reel (backcoated polyester and polyester, 00:19:05) : analog, 7 1/2 ips, half track, mono ; 5 3/4 in.
LC engineer's note: The tape is an edited combination of regular and backcoated stocks. The backcoated sections have sticky shed syndrome. The tape was baked before transfer.
Summary:
The content begins at 00:00:04. Michael Richards interviews Shirley Keller on Radio Metropol (Haiti). Subjects include the Appalachian dulcimer, the autoharp, Keller's family, educational, and professional backgrounds, her feelings about Haiti (as this was her second visit), her interest in preserving Haitian culture, the book she recently worked on with Diane Wolkstein ( The Magic Orange Tree, and Other Haitian Folktales ), the meaning of the book title, the publication history of the book, how the stories were gathered from various homes, the impact of television and radio on storytelling, an explanation of folk music and the meaning of songs, the difference between country music and folk music, the history of her working relationship with Paul Cadwell and Charlie Wright (a recording of "Music Is A Treat" is played at this point), kazoos, Keller's meeting with Tiroro (also Ti Roro; Raymond Baillargau, dancer/drummer); a recording of his drumming is played (but edited out of this recording), Keller's radio program ("The Folk People"), locations where she has played in Haiti and the response she received, her hope to collect more music in Haiti to present to the American people, and her invitation to Michael Richards to appear on her show.
Transcriptions:
Box panel: Imperial / 12 Nov 1980 / Shirley Keller interview / Haiti / 894 595 / Refrains de demain 80/11 / 28' 00" 7 1/2 i.p.s. Francais 28.5.1980 / Philo Anjlach [?] [?] / Tiroro died 1 year ago 1979
Written on the tape reel flange: Shirley Keller interview 2/27/81
Information from the donor (written on the tape box): Interviewer - Michael Richards 11-12-80 / Tiroro died 1 year ago 1979
Item_ID: AFC 2019/041: SR034 Sound recording, undated
Rack number: RXK 4060
Extent: 1 sound tape reel (acetate, 00:48:00) : analog, 7 1/2 ips; half track, mono ; 7 in.
Summary:
The content begins at 00:00:07. A man sings a cappella, and soon after with drum accompaniment. One song has a chorus of children singing. One song seems to be entirely one man singing a capella, and is cut off abruptly. Singing also includes mixed adult voices. Conversations can be heard but the voices are almost unintelligible (as a result of low audio quality). There is occasional sound distortion, either from the source recording's condition, or possibly because the mic was too close to the instruments as they were being played. The recording ends abruptly. Instruments played include drums, metal percussion, and whistles.
Transcriptions:
Box panel: [??] Congo [further details on the box panel] / Haiti - Rigaud - Voodoo [sic] / Head - (debut Rerecording (M) Lil Etudes [?] - IV
Written on the tape reel flange: Tape 4 to cassette 4
Item_ID: AFC 2019/041: SR035 Sound recording, undated
Rack number: RYE 8034
Extent: 1 sound cassette (Side A: 00:32:30, Side B: 00:29:10) : analog, 1 7/8 ips, half track, mono
Summary:
Side A: The content begins at 00:00:09. A man sings to drum accompaniment. In another song, men sing lead vocals, to mixed chorus accompaniment. Instruments played include drums, a stringed instrument (possibly a guitar)
Side B: The content begins at 00:00:09. This side seems to be a continuation from Side A, with a man singing to stringed instrument accompaniment, with at least one extended solo on the instrument. Instruments played include a stringed instrument (possibly a guitar) and drums.
Transcriptions:
Written on the cassette housing: IIA #6 / Voodoo [sic] ceremonies recorded on wire by Odette Rigaud / put onto digital master - made by Bob Avedon - Park Ridge, N.J.
Item_ID: AFC 2019/041: SR036 Sound recording, undated
Rack number: RAA 66287
Extent: 1 sound tape reel (polyester, 00:11:00) : analog, 7 1/2 ips; half-track, stereo and mono ; 10 in.
Archivist's note: This tape was received without an individual tape box.
Summary:
Shirley Keller records herself speaking into a tape recorder, and uses another recorder to play back music performances and parts of Vodou ceremonies. She talks about Haitian drumming and her first experience attending a Vodou ceremony, in 1975. She mentions Diane (probably Diane Wolkstein) and Marie (otherwise unidentified). At 00:06:56 she mentions Milo Rigaud.
Transcriptions:
Written on the tape reel flange: Voodoo [sic]
Item_ID: AFC 2019/041: SR037 Sound recording, undated
Rack number: RYF 1129
Extent: 1 sound cassette (Side A: 00:42:00, Side B: 00:45:34) : analog, 1 7/8 ips, half track, mono
Summary:
Side A: The content begins about 00:00:13. People are speaking while instruments are being played. For more than one song, a man leads the singing for a chorus of mixed voices. A dog can be heard barking. There are instances of hand clapping. The recording ends abruptly. Instruments played include drums, metal percussion, and rattles.
Side B: The content begins about 00:00:20. One man and sometimes two men lead a group of mixed voices in song, accompanied by rattles and drums. At one point a chicken can be heard clucking. The recording ends abruptly. Instruments played include drums, rattles, and metal percussion.
Transcription:
Box panel: Side A: I #3 / Side B: #4 #5
Item_ID: AFC 2019/041: SR038 Sound recording, undated
Rack number: RYF 8606
Extent: 1 sound cassette (Side A: 00:32:30, Side B: 00:18:00) : analog, 1 7/8 ips, half track, mono
LC engineer's note: SR038, SR039 , and SR040 have identical content.
Summary:
Side A: The content begins about 00:00:15. Vocal performances. Musical instruments include drums and metal percussion. The recording ends abruptly.
Side B: The content begins about 00:00:05. Mixed voices, sometimes with a leader, perform songs. Conversations can be heard. Musical instruments include drums, rattles and other percussion, and whistles. The recording ends abruptly.
Transcription:
Box panel: Side A: III #7 / Side B: #7, continued
Item_ID: AFC 2019/041: SR039 Sound recording, undated
Rack number: RYH 8997
Extent: 1 sound cassette (Side A: 00:32:31, Side B: 00:18:00) : analog, 1 7/8 ips, half track, mono
LC engineer's note: SR038 , SR039, and SR040 have identical content.
Transcription:
Box panel: Side A: III #7 / Side B: #7, continued
Item_ID: AFC 2019/041: SR040 Sound recording, undated
Rack number: RYL 4397
Extent: 1 sound cassette (Side A: 00:32:36, Side B: 00:18:00) : analog, 1 7/8 ips, half track, mono
LC engineer's note: SR038 , SR039 , and SR040 have identical content.
Transcription:
Box panel: Side A: III #7 / Side B: #7, continued
Item_ID: AFC 2019/041: SR041 Sound recording, undated
Rack number: RYL 4476
Extent: 1 sound cassette (Side A: 00:47:00, Side B: 00:41:40) : analog, 1 7/8 ips, half track, mono
Summary:
Side A: The content begins about 00:00:23. Mixed voices, sometimes with a leader, perform songs. Hand clapping can be heard. At 00:33:19 a woman says "chants des travailleurs" (worker's songs); this may be Marie Rigaud. At 00:41:34 a horn honks twice (possibly a car passing by). The recording ends abruptly. Musical instruments include drums, metal percussion, and rattles.
Side B: The content begins about 00:00:06. Mixed voices, sometimes with a leader, perform songs. Hand clapping can be heard. There are occasional, brief conversations. The recording ends abruptly. Musical instruments include drums, rattles, and metal percussion
Transcription:
Written on the cassette housing: 100 / [Side] B
Item_ID: AFC 2019/041: SR042 Sound recording, undated
Rack number: RYL 9619
Extent: 1 sound cassette (00:30:30) : analog, 1 7/8 ips, half track, mono
Summary:
Content begins about 00:00:08. The first two songs are sung by two different men, possibly with one woman singing in the background. The balance of the recording has mixed voices, sometimes with a leader, who perform songs. From about 00:10:48-00:12:17 a woman sings solo and a cappella. Conversations can be heard. Audio distortion from the source recording towards the end of the tape. The recording ends abruptly. Musical instruments played include drums, rattles, metal percussion, and whistles.
Transcription:
Written on the cassette housing: Voodoo [sic] - Rigaud tape - #? [sic]
Item_ID: AFC 2019/041: SR044 Sound recording, April 21, 1972
Rack number: RXK 4061
Extent: 1 sound reel (acetate, 00:55:00) : analog, 3 3/4 ips, full track mono ; 7 in.
LC engineer's note: Aircheck date: April 21, 1972.
Archivist's note: The recording has commercial breaks, editorials, and other parts of the recording unrelated to the interview from about 00:00:05-00:05:10, 00:11:50-00:15:10, 00:24:24-00:31:41, 00:41:52-00:43:45, and 00:52:03-00:55:00 (end).
Summary:
Bruce Lee interviews Odette Rigaud about various topics related to Vodou. She talks about her association with Vodou, Vodou as a religion and not black magic, her interest in African sculpture and religion, the exhibit of her photographs at the Elma Lewis Center, Vodou in Haiti, the perception of Vodou as black magic, the role of missionaries in developing this perception, Haiti as a colony and the perception of colonists about Vodou, elements of Christianity in Vodou, lwa (spirits) as emanations from God. Rudy Robinson (a professional photographer) and Barry Gaither are introduced. Barry's connection with the Elma Lewis Center exhibition was to work with Odette Rigaud for two weeks to select images for the show, and the time and effort involved in discussions and the selection process. Barry Gaither, the director of the art teaching program at the center, and is also the curator and director for the museum program of the National Center of Afro-American Artists (which includes the Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts) talks about "Ah-Haiti: Glimpses of Voodoo [sic] " (the exhibit's title) and the focus on Vodou as a series topic, details about the exhibit, plans for a traveling exhibit, publication of the book Secrets of Vodou in English, and access to the center. The guests respond to questions called in by listeners. Part 1 effectively ends at 00:52:03.
The show spans three recordings in the collection (regardless of the documentation that accompanies the tapes); this is part 1. See SR046 for part 2 and SR045 for part 3. See SR047 for a dub of part 1.
Transcriptions:
Box panel: Rigaud / Bay St Forum / 1
Information from the donor (written on the tape box): 12 / 12-1 Boston, Mass. Radio station WEEI Interview of Odette M. Rigaud on the Bruce Lee Show. 1 Hour - 3 3/4 speed / transferred to cassette #12 by Shirley Keller 5-9-82
Item_ID: AFC 2019/041: SR046 Sound recording, April 21, 1972
Rack number: RXK 4063
Extent: 1 sound reel (acetate, 00:59:46) : analog, 3 3/4 ips, full track mono ; 7 in.
LC engineer's note: The date noted is the aircheck date.
Archivist's note: The recording has commercial breaks, news reports, and other parts of the recording unrelated to the interview from about 00:00:06-00:05:14, 00:12:10-00:13:23, 00:17:07-00:19:52, 00:24:21-00:25:02, 00:29:11-00:30:16, 00:30:53-00:33:43, 00:33:56-00:35:00, 00:43:29-00:44:01 00:56:01-00:59:46 (end). The tape has audio gaps at 00:29:06 and at 00:44:01, as if it has been edited to exclude content. This tape may be a dub copy of the original recording.
Summary:
Continuation of the Bruce Lee show, beginning at 00:05:15. A story is continued, regarding a young Puerto Rican girl who traveled to Haiti and was healed by lwa. The panel discusses the nature of healing and the role of lwa, and discuss lwa with a man who call in to the show. Rigaud explains the how the word "Vodou" is used in Haiti (the name of the religion and also as an adjective). A woman calls the show and asks Rigaud about a particular ceremony she witnessed in Haiti, and asked Rigaud to explain the ceremony. Rigaud suggested that she may have witnessed a ceremony presented for the benefit of tourists. Another caller asks for guidance if someone is using Vodou to gain control over her. Rigaud recommends she pray to her own deity for protection. She responds to a caller who asks about elements of Vodou practice that he has observed. Barry Gaither gives an overview of the exhibit at the Elma Lewis Center. The panel discusses the perception of Vodou in America. They talk with a caller concerned about her teenage son; it turns out there was no relationship between her inquiry and Vodou. The recording ends abruptly.
See SR044 for part 1 of the show and SR045 for part 3.
Transcriptions:
Box panel: Interview with Odette Rigaud by Bruce Lee - 1972 WEEI. I think this should be played after tape 12 and 13 is played after this for connect [?] [?].
Information from the donor (written on the tape box): 1-2 Re-recorded on to cassette #14 by Shirley Keller - May 1982. Subject, continued from tape 13
Item_ID: AFC 2019/041: SR045 Sound recording, April 21, 1972
Rack number: RXK 4062
Extent: 1 sound reel (acetate, 00:27:44) : analog, 3 3/4 ips, full track mono ; 7 in.
LC engineer's note: Aircheck date: April 21, 1972.
Archivist's note: The recording has commercial breaks, news reports, and other parts of the recording unrelated to the interview from about 00:00:04-00:04:05.
Summary:
See SR044 for part 1 of the show and SR046 for part 3. See SR048 for a dub of this recording.
The interview portion of the recording begins about 00:04:06. Barry Gaither speaks about the center's interest in archival materials, how the current show evolved, and the preparations. Gaither and Robinson talk about how preparations changed them, and Odette Rigaud's impact on them and her personality. Bruce Lee talks about his admiration for the exhibit. Gaither and Robinson talk about the exhibit going on tour, Rigaud's ability as a photographer, and the nature of a visual exhibit. The panel engage in a conversation with a caller. The show effectively ends at 00:27:22. The tape ends abruptly shortly after that.
Transcription:
Information from the donor (written on the tape box): 13 / Continuation of tape 12 - Radio Interview of Odette Rigaud by Bruce Lee - WEEI. Boston, Mass. Rerecorded by Shirley Keller on cassette #13 on 5-9-82. 2-230
Item_ID: AFC 2019/041: SR047 Sound recording, undated
Rack number: RYN 9461
Extent: 1 sound cassette (Side A: 00:28:30, Side B: 00:26:13) : analog, 1 7/8, half track, stereo
SR047 is a dub copy of SR044 .
Transcription:
Written on the cassette housing: 12 - Odette Rigaud - Radio Shoro [?] / WEEI - Boston, Mass. / Bruce Lee - interviewer
Item_ID: AFC 2019/041: SR048 Sound recording, undated
Rack number: RYR 3920
Extent: 1 sound cassette (00:27:00) : analog, 1 7/8, half track, stereo
Archivist's note: Side B is blank. The cassette has been reshelled. Poor audio with many dropouts from the source tape used to make this cassette.
SR048 is a dub copy of SR045 .
Transcription:
Written on the cassette housing: 13 - Bruce Lee Interviews Odette Rigaud - WEEI - Boston, Mass.
Item_ID: AFC 2019/041: SR049 Sound recording, undated
Rack number: RYR 3921
Extent: 1 sound cassette (Side A: 00:28:00, Side B: 00:16:45) : analog, 1 7/8, half track, stereo
Summary:
Side A: The content begins about 00:00:08. A large group of mixed voices sing more than one song, with a male lead singer. Instruments include drums, metal percussion, whistles, and possibly other instruments.
Side B: The content begins about 00:00:05. A large group of mixed voices sing more than one song. Frequently, a male singer can be heard above the other singers, possibly leading the song. Instruments include drums, metal percussion, rattles, and possibly other instruments.
Transcription:
Written on the cassette housing: Milo Rigaud - Voodoo [sic] / #2
Item_ID: AFC 2019/041: SR050 Sound recording, circa 1980-1981
Rack number: RYR 3922
Extent: 1 sound cassette (00:23:00) : analog, 1 7/8 ips, half track, stereo format, mono audio
Archivist's note: This is either a copy of SR050 or the original recording. Side B is blank.
Summary:
The content begins about 00:00:05. Shirley Keller interviews Milo Rigaud during his hospital stay. The recording begins with Shirley suggesting he addresses Odette in French (his "native language"). Next, he mentions his younger brother Carl, who lives in his own home in Port-au-Prince. Keller has difficulty understanding what he says. Milo writes down his brother's address, since Keller has offered to contact Carl. She says she can record Milo speaking, and take the cassette to Carl and play it for him. He speaks in French, addressing his brother. He tells Shirley that his brother was in the same hospital last year for surgery. Shirley and Milo talk about his diet (foods he is permitted and enjoys). Milo talks about visitors he has while in the hospital. They make small talk, and then talk about his book, and the difficulties of publishing a book in New York, written in French. They talk about the need for a translator to understand about Vodou to translate the text accurately. He talks about Odette's wish to return to Haiti with him [currently, they are in New York]. The talk about the work of writing a book, and where he and Odette would live when they return to Haiti. They talk further about his brother, and as they say their farewells, they make further small talk. Shirley mentions Diane [probably Diane Wolkstein]. Milo gives Shirley contact information for a person in Haiti [unclear if this is to help her find a house]. The recording ends abruptly.
Transcriptions:
Box panel: Haiti - Odette Rigaud - Milo / their voices
Written on the cassette housing: Side A: Milo to Odette and Karl; Side B: Odette to Michelle
Item_ID: AFC 2019/041: SR051 Sound recording, undated
Rack number: RYR 3923
Extent: 1 sound cassette (Side A: 00:22:50, Side B: 00:01:00) : analog, 1 7/8 ips, half track, stereo format, mono audio
Archivist's note: This is either a copy of SR050 or the original recording.
Summary:
Side A: See SR050, Side A for a summary of the contents.
Side B: An unidentified woman speaks in French. "Madame Shirley " (probably Shirley Keller) is mentioned near the end of the recording, which ends abruptly.
Transcriptions:
Written on j-card: [j-card spine] Milo Rigaud - in Hospital / message to Odette and Brother in Haiti (198_) [sic] [Side A] Milo Rigaud / at Hospital / messages to wife Odette and Brother in Haiti - Karl / this made in NYC house [?] / Milo died the day I left for Haiti to see his brother [Side B] Odette Rigaud to Michelle
Written on the cassette housing: copy only (2012) Milo at Hospital and message to Brother 1981? [sic] / copy - In Hospital Milo sec part on B
Item_ID: AFC 2019/041: SR052 Sound recording, March 11, 1982
Rack number: RYR 3924
Extent: 1 sound cassette (00:15:00) : analog, 1 7/8 ips, half track, stereo
Archivist's note: Side B is blank. Milo and Odette were married in 1935, in New York City. Other details in this recording may need to be cross-checked for accuracy.
Summary:
The content begins about 00:00:05. Shirley Keller interviews Odette Rigaud, with a translator present. Shirley asks questions in English, and Odette responds in French, with the translator acting for both. Shirley talks about the tape recorder she is using to record the interview. Interview topics include Odette's family, a relative who was killed during World War II, and how she met Milo. Dropout from 00:03:1100:03:23.
Transcription:
Written on the cassette housing: Odette Min Rigaud - 3-11-82 / talk of nothing in particular - Milo - how long ago they were married (1934?) - the name of Mennesson. Who was shot by Germans, etc. Odette and translator friend / 3-11-82 - (2-6-10) talk with Odette Rigaud re Milo with translator friend. Married 46 years. Met in France. Milo lived there for 14-15 years. Married in Haiti. Tape length - Side I only? About 20 min.
Next Page »

Contents List