The line in the second stanza ("The people have been initiated many times") literally says: "The people have undergone the fire ritual ("kanzo") many times". In a song in which Manno implies that the elite and army have lit a smoking (not burning) fire to blind and confuse people, the "kanzo" serves as a contrasting kind of fire, one that purifies and that tests people's faith and determination.
When a "gwo nèg" (big shot) rides by in the street, the "ti-nèg" (little people) are supposed to line the street and "bat bravo" (pay collective tribute by applauding), as in the third stanza here. It is one of those many rituals of power that define hierarchy and the social order in Haiti.
(Note by Gage Averill on conjunctions.com)
The line in the second stanza ("The people have been initiated many times") literally says: "The people have undergone the fire ritual ("kanzo") many times". In a song in which Manno implies that the elite and army have lit a smoking (not burning) fire to blind and confuse people, the "kanzo" serves as a contrasting kind of fire, one that purifies and that tests people's faith and determination. When a "gwo nèg" (big shot) rides by in the street, the "ti-nèg" (little people) are supposed to line the street and "bat bravo" (pay collective tribute by applauding), as in the third stanza here. It is one of those many rituals of power that define hierarchy and the social order in Haiti.