By José Francisco Ávila
As we conclude the celebration of Garifuna Arts & Culture Appreciation Month, We present a report on the Gunchei or Gunjai, perhaps the least known Garifuna Dance. Up until 2008, the only thing I knew about this dance, was that it was the French influence on Garifuna Dance and it was the only dance I had not been able to connect with St Vincent and the Grenadines "Yurumein".
The only description of the dance is what appears in Wikipedia, "Gunchei is a type of Central America
Garifuna
dance in which the men take turns dancing with each woman. "Gunchei" can also refer to the music that is played during the dance."
Then in November 2008 I traveled to St. Vincent and the Grenadines for the official launch of the Vincy Homecoming and while standing at Heritage Plaza watching the performances, the MC announced a group which would perform the Quadrille
. As soon as the DJ played the track and they started dancing, I said to myself, that's the Gunchei and was finally able to make the connection.
According to Honduran historian Antonio Canelas Diaz in his book on the history of La Ceiba “Another important aspect of the Garifunas that is worth mentioning, is that they were a highly refined group, due to their direct and permanent contact with members from the French and English cultures, considered the most representative of the time. “
The European influence can be seen in the Gunchei dance as it's known in Honduras, Gunjai in Belize and Quadrille
in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. It is described as a graceful dignified social dance, in which each man dances with each woman in turn. My research discovered that the Gunchei or Gunjai is the Garifuna version of the Quadrille.
In the 18th Century (estimated around 1740) the quadrille evolved more and more into an intricate dance, with its foundation in dances like cotillions. It was introduced in France around 1760, and later in England around 1808 by a woman known as Miss Berry. It was introduced to the Duke of Devonshire
and made fashionable by 1813. In the following years it was taught to the upper classes, and around 1816 many people could dance a quadrille. The tempo of the Quadrille
dance is slow and stately, which lends an elegant and aristocratic air to the performance. (Source: Wikipedia)
In today’s Garifuna society, the Gunchei is danced during special occasions such as Sweet sixteen celebrations, debutantes and many cultural groups feature it in their choreographed dance repertoire. As I reconnected with my Vincentian Brothers and sisters, I've attended various events by the Garifuna Indigenous People of St Vincent and the Grenadines (GIPSVG), featuring Quadrille
performances.
According to the UNESCO Candidature Standard Form Proclamation of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity, Garifuna music and dance are equally authentic, although some elements may share common origins with some found elsewhere, while the French influence is unmistakable in the gunjai, a sort of square dance that utilizes songs, which abound with words that are reminiscent of French.
The first recorded version of a gunchei song is found in the album Traditional Music of the Garifuna (Black Carib) of Belize
, "Gunjai" recorded and produced by Carol and Travis Jenkins and released in 1982. The song features Master drummer Isabel Flores, Amigo Lucas, and Josephine Lambey.
The song Gunchey ("Garifuna Social Dance"), was featured in the CD Songs of the Garifuna by Litan Ariran featuring Aurelio Martinez
,
released in 1994.
As you consider your next formal celebration, a wedding, sweet Sixteen, Quinceañera, cotillion, etc. you may consider the Gunche, Gunjai, or Quadrille, which lends an elegant and aristocratic air to the performance.