Danmyé, also called Laghia or ladja, is a Martinican martial art imported to the island by slaves from Africa who came to the island to work as slave labor on the island's plantations. The word is composed of two particles, "danm" which means "initiate" in two African languages and "yé" which means "group". The danmyé is therefore those who are initiated. It is a martial art that can be found in several Caribbean islands (Guadeloupe, Haiti, Trinidad, Barbados or Jamaica) under other names. It is similar to the Brazilian Capoeira or the Senegalese lamb wrestling.
It is not just a combat sport like the most famous martial arts. It is a mixture of martial art and music. The two are inseparable. An orchestra composed of a tanbouyè (drummer) and a bwatè épi ti bwa (ti-bwa player) and sometimes a chantè (solo singer) and a vwa dèyè (choir) accompany the fighters as they battle around a crowd placed near the stage. The fight is based on the use of cunning to overcome the opponent. The fights are rythmed and regulated by the music from which the fighters (majors) draw their energy and inspiration.
The performance begins with the fighters running in a circle to the rhythm of the drum. This will be the arena where the fight will take place. Simply enter the circle to become an opponent. The rhythm of the drum inspires and motivates the fighters who will then show their strength, speed and agility in front of the tanbouyé. The danmyé takes on a magical dimension that is similar to the quimbois. The major and the tanbouyé share a strong bond throughout the performance, but when an advantage is gained, the tanbouyé pushes his foot against the head of the drum, tightening the sound in order to galvanize the fighter.
The precise origins of the danmyé vary, although there is no doubt that it originated in Africa. According to some sources, its origins lie in the Benin region, while others claim that it comes from the island of Gorée in Senegal. The danmyé is inspired by African ceremonies of initiation of teenagers to adulthood.
It developed in Martinique in the plantations where slaves worked between the 17th and 19th centuries. It was even taken up by the masters who organized parades with other neighboring plantations to boast of the strength of their slaves during celebrations where the slaves fought each other like cockfights.
The practice of danmyé was controversial after the departmentalization because some of the fights went beyond the scope of sports and were armed brawls or settling of scores. This is why it was banned in several communes of the island.
Today, danmyé is in decline as the younger population is leaving the island and the remaining majors are getting older. However, there are some shows where you can attend danmyé performances, especially in the municipality of Sainte-Marie.
