Kompa or Konpa - one is right

There are various spellings of Compas music in circulation. The most common are Compas, Kompa and Konpa. This can sometimes be confusing.

What is the Creole spelling

It will have to be said many times... The common spelling Kompa with an ‘m’ is a mistake. But how can this be explained?

The French rule, m before b or p is not effective here, because Haitian Kreyòl is a phonetic language, unlike French.1)

The difference lies in the fact that Kreyòl is written using phonemes (sounds) rather than graphemes (letters). For example, “ou” or “on”. There is no phoneme “om”. – K‘on‘pa.2)

konpa : n. 1. Estil mizik, kadans. 2. Selon règ. ès-ès. Iv oblije mache sou konpa pou Ivwoz pa mete l deyò. 3. Estil mizik Ayisyen danse. Konpa Dirèk. 4. Zouti pou trase sèk. 5. Zouti pou oryante nan lanmè ak nan lespas.3)

The word kompa does not exist in standard Haitian. The spelling with ‘m’ is therefore also predominantly found Aux Antilles or in France. Haitians use the ‘m’ out of habit and because others spell it the same way. In the HMI, Konpa is usually used.

It is Konpa (yes it is, baby)

Today we can even choose between 2 spellings, Konpa or Compas. Both are common and depend on the context and ambiance. One is more self-sufficient, the other more universal.

The historical aspect should also be taken into account when choosing the spelling. A Creole spelling did not appear until 30 years after the creation of Compas Direct.

I have read various articles and arguments about the correct spelling of Konpa. Incidentally, there was never an argument in favor of ‘m’.

Creation - The first designation is Compas Direct. When the music was created at the end of the 1950s, there was no written Kreyòl language. The French written language was used as much as possible. Nemours Jean-Baptiste repeatedly had the term Compas Direct printed on his albums as the official designation. This part of history cannot be overlooked.

Mass Compas

Mass Kompa

Mass Konpa

Written language – The Creole written language only became established with the social changes and recognition in the mid-80s. Compas was already 30 years old by then. It was from this time onwards that Compas groups were given Creole names (Djakout Mizik, Lakol, Zenglen, etc.). At the period of Mini Jazz, at the end of the 60s, French names were often chosen (Les Fantaisistes, Les Difficiles, Les Loups Noirs, etc.).

4)

Text: Fedor Hüneke

Sources:
1) Staff Pozé · Opa Mizik · 11-16-2008
2) Konpa London · Instagram · 09-14-2026
3) Diksyonè Kreyòl Vilsen · Féquière Vilsaint · 1994 Educa Vision
4) Les Trois Dangers · Super Ensemble Nemours Jean-Baptiste · 1965 Ibo

5

1 Konpa – this is Compas

2 History of Compas Direct

3 How did the name come about?

4 Compas Direct rhythm

5 Kompa or Konpa – one is right