(1:1) The Invitation to Participate
On the 17th June 2019, 13 JA’NUKA Quadrille Dancers travelled from London to Martinique, a small French speaking island in the Eastern Caribbean Sea, South East of Cuba and North of Trinidad and Tobago.
The purpose of this trip was to take part in their 8th Bi-annual International Quadrille Dance Festival, entitled Haute -Taille et Quadrilles de la Diaspora (18th – 23rd June 2019).
WHAT IS HAUTE TAILLE QUADRILLE?
Haute Taille Quadrille also called Contredanses, is an indigenous Martinican dance, choreographed to combine European quadrille and Neo-African Bele-Lino dance patterns and styles. It is a square dance performed by couples executing set dance figures with distinctive accompanying music. It is characterized by the presence of a commander who calls the steps which add the communicative dimension to the performance. Variants of this dance exist within and between neighbourhoods. Haute Taille in French literally mean “High Waist”. The name of the dance is therefore synonymous with the high waist skirts the ladies wear!
The Festival location was the Ville du Francois, situated in the east of Martinique, not far from the island’s Capital Forte de France.
The Mayor of Francois, Joseph Loza stated “The Festival is a major event in promoting and preserving the practice of Haute – Taille as a marker of Martinican’s cultural identity and owes its success to the participation of the associations that work to ensure the transmission of this heritage”
The Festival organisers were keen to see how specific aspects of Caribbean culture i.e. the quadrille, survived the journey back to Europe and other countries where people from the Caribbean now reside.
We were delighted to be one of 4 International quadrille dance groups invited to participate in this prestigious event. It was our first time travelling outside the UK to showcase our Jamaican quadrille dance.
(1:2) Our journey from London to Martinique
We had an eventful journey travelling to Martinique from Heathrow Airport in London and Charles De Gaulle and Orly Airports in France.
We arrived in France bursting with energy and made our way to board the shuttle bus to Orly Airport. Due to delay in obtaining our bus transfer tickets and traffic congestion en route to Orly, we missed our connecting flight to Martinique and had to travel on the next available flight the following day. This resulted in us missing the Press Conference and our 1st performance at L’Apalooza.
(1:3) Welcome on our arrival
We arrived in Martinique after a very long and exhausting journey. We were met by our host Fred Jean – Baptiste, accompanied by Sabrina Tanda.
As we entered the arrival lounge, we were warmly welcomed by one of the local groups dancing their Haute-Taille quadrille. Their welcoming smiles and hugs matched their brightly coloured costumes. The unfamiliar sound of their live quadrille music was uplifting and exhilarating. It was the first time we were experiencing this and it took our breath away. This traditional exotic reception lifted our spirits. Soon we forgot about our travel fatigue and started to interact and dance with them. We were glad to be in Martinique among such friendly people. The warmth of the tropical sunshine, not only warmed our bodies, but also our hearts. We were ready to commence our participation in the Festival.
(1:4) Accommodation
We travelled by coach from the airport to our accommodation at Villa F3 Piscine Privee. We were housed in 3 self-catering Bungalows, one with a swimming pool. We were captivated by the luscious green surroundings, well-kept lawns, beautiful flowers and tropical trees. We experienced nature at its best, i.e. flies, frogs, mosquitoes, cockroaches, lizards, horsehair worms, birds singing sweetly in the trees and the crickets melodiously singing at nights. Yes! Without any doubt, we were truly in the Caribbean. It was hot, hot, hot.
The daily French style breakfast and Caribbean style lunch and dinners, kept us adequately sustained. However on the 6th Day, it was Sunday morning, and in true Jamaican Style we prepared our own breakfast of roasted breadfruit, boiled green banana, salted cod fish with onions and peppers. It was delicious.
One free afternoon, we had our own fun, relaxing, eating, laughing, playing domino game, exercising in the swimming pool and dancing to the beat of drums. Thanks to Victor and Paul, the Drummers from St Vincent, for transporting us into our ancestors world!
If only we had more time to truly relax and enjoy the beauty of this place.
(1:5) Our first night at the Quadrille Ball
On the evening of our arrival, we were taken to a Quadrille Ball at Centre Bourg. We watched the Islanders and the invited group from France dance the Haute – Taille Quadrille. It conjured up images of Ballroom Quadrille Dancing in Europe during the 18th and 19th centuries, in Royal courts and at other high society events as part of their pomp and pageantry.
All dancers dressed in beautiful, brightly coloured and stylish costumes portrayed the fashion when quadrille was the main dance in the Caribbean.
The musicians played their native quadrille music and couples danced The Haute–Taille quadrille in unison to the rhythm and beat and instructions of a French creole speaking Caller. It was an unfamiliar old rustic sound that was so different from our recorded orchestral music.
This non-stop display of quadrille dancing was surreal. The atmosphere was electric, mystifying and mesmerising. Despite being tired, we joined in the dancing with the Islanders. There was so much fun and laughter as we tried to communicate in English and imitate the Haute Taille quadrille dancers’ moves.
For additional Martinique Experience videos, view our Gallery.
(Updated 2025)