Voices of Haiti by Maya Deren

Voices Of Haiti (recorded by Maya Deren) Elektra EKLP-5 (10-inch mono) 1953 Recorded during ceremonials near Croix Des Missions and Petionville in Haiti by Maya Deren Excerpted notes from the cover: The belief that the proper performance of a sacred formula of symbols or sounds is the means by which man achieves contact with divine powers is a basic principle not only of Voudoun, but of every religion. Such formulae were known as mantras in ancient Sanskrit, and this is still the term for all such ritual action, whether the chants of the Muslim muezzin or the saying of the Catholic rosary. The use of mantras is as ancient and as universal as man’s desire to improve his condition and secure his destiny. It is as prevailing as the proud conviction of each man that his weaknesses and inadequaceis are, by and large, common to all men and that, consequently, the power which is sufficiently superior to sustain and fortify him is one which is superior to man altogether. In times of need a ma