A few days ago, Patrick Nériny (a former business owner and member of the Nou A Yo association) launched, with the support of people of goodwill, a major fundraising campaign to help “Ka Master” Jocelyn Hubbel, nicknamed Lenlen. As the name suggests – “1 Euro for Lenlen” – this operation is to ask Guadeloupean people to donate a one-euro coin (but the financial contribution may be more important) to help ensure that this great musician has one meal a day. Currently, Lenlen is supported for by the Saint-Vincent de Paul Association in Pointe-à-Pitre, but according to Patrick Nériny: “Lenlen is a man who gave a lot of love; he gave a lot to gwoka, he was the only one; there were quite a few people (…)”.
Indeed, many are familiar with the famous Ka Master Marcel Lollia, known as “Vélo”, but the archipelago has had other talented “tanbouyé” who developed and perfected the seven rhythms of gwoka, this music created by slaves on sugarcane plantations.
For example, in the early 1970s, Jocelyn Hubbel, Michel Halley, Frantz Camphrin, known as “Isteng’Brendeng”, Jean-Pierre Sabine, known as “Marseau”, and Ady Gatoux were part of the Takouta band. These Ka drummers had gone into exile for two and a half years in Marie-Galante, then in La Désirade, to deepen their musical knowledge, and they performed on stages in Guadeloupe and Martinique. Other musicians – including “Vélo” until his death in 1984 – had also joined the band…
“Lenlen absolutely must have something to eat (…). Lenlen is a Ka Master; he should not be at Saint-Vincent de Paul. We must understand that the Ka Masters deserve to be treated differently because they are men who support the people (…). A Ka Master is a guardian of the temple”, continues Patrick Nériny.
This initiative, led exclusively by the Nou A Yo association, will take place during the months of July and August. No town hall or social services agency participates in it.
Collection points: in Pointe-à-Pitre, BoutikFM (behind Europhone on Frébault street) and Antimex (next to the Pavillon de la Ville on Place de la Victoire) – in Le Moule, Sunshine (opposite the Robert Loyson Cultural Center)
