Hajda!, the debut album by Hajda Banda (Гайда Банда) is a captivating journey into the rich musical traditions of the Podlasie region in eastern Poland, the western parts of Belarus, and Polesye on the Polish-Ukrainian-Belarusian border. The album showcases the band’s commitment to preserving and innovating rural music from the borderlands, infusing it with their unique style and ideas.
The testimonials from listeners add a personal touch to the album’s narrative the band provides in their press release:
- The 92-year-old resident of Dubicze Cerkiewne, expressing that “they play like in the old days,” speaks to the band’s ability to capture the essence of traditional music, transporting listeners to a bygone era.
- The 4-year-old girl from Białystok, describing the music as “beautiful like a star in the sky, cheerful and happy,” testifying to the universal appeal and joyous nature of Hajda Banda’s music.
The decision to perform solely using acoustic traditional instruments such as the violin, hammered dulcimer, three-row Polish accordion, and frame drum adds authenticity to their sound, creating an immersive experience for listeners. The choice of instruments also aligns with their dedication to the roots of the Białowieża Forest wetlands, creating a sonic landscape that reflects the cultural richness of the region.
The album’s success is further highlighted by the accolades received at the ’New Tradition’ 24th Polish Radio Folk Festival in 2022, including the Audience Award, Jury’s 3rd prize, and the Szczecin Philharmonic Award. These awards underscore the band’s exceptional talent and the resonance of their music with both audiences and experts in the folk music scene.
Hajda Banda’s establishment in autumn 2021 on the initiative of violinist Daria Butskaya as an artistic continuation of her “Gaude Polonia” scholarship adds a personal touch to the band’s narrative. The fact that the group has played more than 60 concerts across Poland within a relatively short period demonstrates their commitment to sharing their music with diverse audiences, from major cities to small towns and tiny village parties.
The band members’ extensive experience in various folk music genres with other groups contributes to the cohesion and skillful execution displayed in Hajda! Each member brings a decade of expertise, enriching the album with a depth of musical proficiency and a nuanced understanding of different folk traditions. The amazing booklet consists of not only lyrics (sometimes in three languages) but also some explanations about where each song was originally recorded. For example, “Babaczka” is a very popular traditional pageant dance from Belarus. “Walczyki śpiewane,” the booklet says, is a song “from the Polish part of Polesye on Polish-Ukrainian-Belarusian border. We mixed two songs by Maria Kałużna taken from old field recordings. A man complains about his wife’s lack of commitment to field works. Her answer is a flashback of her addressing a rosemary field with her woe — as she has left her parents’ home she will not be able to sow rosemary anymore.”
Released by Karrot Kommando, one of the most prestigious world music labels in Poland (even though it was new to me!), on February 14, 2024 Hajda! stands as a testament to Hajda Banda’s dedication to preserving, revitalizing, and innovating the cultural heritage of the Podlasie region. The album is a delightful journey into the heart of borderlands music, skillfully presented by a talented ensemble with a deep connection to their roots. The group has been selected to perform at Budapest Ritmo in Budapest, one of the best world music showcase festivals, in April 2024.
(Karrot Kommando, 2024)
