Gwoka, the soul of Guadeloupe 1996

Directed by Caroline Bourgine

Gwoka drums have resonated in Guadeloupe since the arrival of the first enslaved people. Rooted in the island's rural history and long marginalized, this tradition—encompassing vocals, music, and dance—symbolizes the local population's reclamation of its profound identity. For the first time, a documentary film captures the social and historical dynamics of Gwoka; moving from one "léwoz" gathering to the next and through various encounters, it reveals the art form's power and richness.