AFOUTAYI is a dedicated cultural institution founded upon the essential mission of safeguarding and sharing the invaluable cultural heritage of Haiti, a heritage rich in spirituality, resilience, and revolutionary artistry, which is often misrepresented or overlooked in global narratives. We operate as a comprehensive arts company focused on three foundational pillars: traditional Haitian dance, authentic folk music, and narrative visual arts. Our commitment extends beyond mere performance; we are intensely focused on education, community building, and cultural diplomacy, utilizing the arts as a profound vehicle for cross-cultural understanding and dialogue. The organization serves as a sanctuary for traditional forms like the Yanvalou and Ibo dances, ensuring their correct spiritual and historical contexts are maintained, while simultaneously nurturing a vibrant community that honors its roots and looks forward with creativity and pride. Through master classes, immersive workshops, and public performances, we actively combat cultural erasure by ensuring that the intricate rhythms of the tanbou and the powerful movements that tell the stories of the Lwas and the struggle for independence continue to resonate with passion and integrity for generations to come.

The genesis of AFOUTAYI is deeply personal, stemming from a passionate desire to counteract negative stereotypes about Haiti by showcasing the nation’s profound artistic and spiritual contributions to the world, recognizing the tremendous beauty, complexity, and sheer power inherent in its traditional arts. The founders, recognizing a need for an authentic space to teach and celebrate this heritage outside of Haiti, established the company to serve as both an educational resource and a beacon of cultural pride, determined to keep the ancestral memory alive through vibrant, tangible artistic expression. The initial concept was simple yet revolutionary: to bring the authentic lakou experience—the communal gathering place where tradition is maintained—to the diaspora, creating a physical and spiritual home for Haitian arts in Minnesota. From its humble beginnings as a small group of dedicated dancers and drummers, AFOUTAYI has grown steadily, driven by the belief that the stories told through Haitian dance and music are essential narratives of human dignity and freedom, providing a necessary counterpoint to often-simplistic or colonial portrayals of the nation and its people.

AFOUTAYI offers a comprehensive range of programs designed to immerse participants fully in the tripartite cultural expression of Haiti: the physical language of traditional dance, the spiritual vocabulary of drumming and song, and the narrative power of visual arts. Our core program offers ongoing classes in traditional Haitian folk dances, from the ceremonial Yanvalou to the celebratory Rara, ensuring students master not only the movements but also the historical context, meaning, and spiritual significance of each form, taught by instructors who maintain the original integrity of the steps. Simultaneously, our music program provides deep instruction on traditional instruments, primarily the tanbou (drum), teaching the foundational rhythms—like Petwo, Rada, and Ibo—that drive the dance, fostering a crucial symbiotic relationship between musician and dancer. The visual arts component complements this by engaging students in traditional Haitian painting and craft techniques, allowing them to translate the stories they embody and hear into tangible artistic creations. This integrated curriculum ensures that participants receive a holistic cultural education, recognizing that the dance, music, and art of Haiti are inseparable facets of a single, vibrant cultural heritage, all working together to tell the nation’s epic story.