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Music and Culture in Guyana

Music and Culture in Guyana Music and Culture in Guyana Music and Culture in Guyana
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Queh Queh

About Queh Queh

 Queh Queh is rhythmic hand clapping and feet slapping against the bare earth, this is used in the African pre-wedding ritual. This event is a nuptial ritual that is held on the eve of a traditional African wedding in Guyana. It is also known as kwe ke, kakalay, and mayan in different parts of Guyana. While this is an African ritual it originated in Guyana and it has evolved in the African bases communities here. It has also given Guyana some of its most memorable folk songs. 


 Unlike other traditions and celebrations which were imported (like the obeah and Cumfa), the Queh Queh is native to Guyana and it is a major part of the African culture in Guyana. This tradition remains a very important part of Guyanese African heritage and part of the wedding rituals.  

Features

 The main component of Queh Queh is dance, moral behavior and chastity are taught in an ancient and cultural way through dance. The rhythms of this dance are created by the pounding of feet on the ground. This is an African characteristic that is very common in typical African dance movements.


 While drums are used during this in some villages, others feel that the true drum is the voice, therefore they use thor voices. The voice is also the most common musical instrument used in this ceremony. There is often a lead singer who is typically the spiritual leader of the ceremony. The lead singer also guides the Queh Queh dance, and they are often called the tutor or the chantwelle, they stand apart from the rest of the participants as well. 


 The dancers that take part in this form a circle and as the singing begins, they move in a counter-clockwise position. This is another feature that this dance shares with other African traditions. This ceremony is a major part of the African culture in Guyana. 

Connections With Africa

 This dance is an African pre-wedding ritual, however it did originate in Guyana. It evolved in the African based communities, and there can be many similarities to African traditions that can be seen. The way the singing and dancing occurs in this ceremony can be seen in many different African traditions, therefore similarities to Africa can be seen in the Queh Queh ceremony.

Video

Here is a good video about the Queh Queh ceremony. 

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