When most people think of Haiti, the disparity and challenges are typically what first come to mind. But the country has a beautiful and rich culture that is far more prominent to Haitians than their nation's struggles. Our group got to witness some of this first-hand during our trip there, and this blog will highlight five prominent aspects of modern Haitian Culture.
1. Faith – Religion is a prominent element of Haitian culture. The majority of the country identifies as Christian, with Catholicism making up the majority (80%) of those identifying with Christianity. Lively churches and worship services can be found throughout the island each day of the week. While we were there, we attended Catholic mass early in the morning, and were struck by how welcoming and energetic everyone was to us. During Catholic mass, attendees participate in something called the Sign of Peace, during which they shake hands, nod, or acknowledge those around them. During the mass we attended, the Haitians did not hesitate to hug us and wish us peace in their language of Creole.
2. Sports – The most popular sport in Haiti is football (soccer). From pick-up games to informal leagues and national teams, Haitians are passionate about playing and watching the game. Haiti's national team (Les Grenadiers, Le Rouge et Bleu, and Les Bicolores) has even participated in the FIFA World Cup since the mid 1970s. One of the collective favorite memories of our group was when an unexpected rain storm hit one afternoon, and the campers who were still near the school immediately came into the courtyard and started a pick-up soccer game with us. We used flip-flops to mark goal posts and had loosely divided teams with lots of sliding around and lots of laughs. The next night, we went to watch a local league play in at a nearby field.
3. Family – Haitian family and connection has been and remains a paramount element of culture. Children are considered "gifts from God" and it is not uncommon to have large families and for communities to act as one group family. Haitian society is predominantly matriarchal regarding family life and raising children, and extended family often live together.
4. Music/Dance – Music and dance bring life and joy to Haiti during many occasions. Outside of traditional festivals, many social activities feature dancing and music heavily. The traditional Haitian Dance Yanvalou is inspired by snake movements, and much of the music is rooted in drum beats and drum circles. Another common style, the Compas Dance, is sometimes called the "Haitian salsa" and features solo or paired dancers making sharp movements, often to guitar and saxophone music. When we were at the camp, each day began with all of the children lining up and singing the Haiti national anthem.
5. Festivals – Several annual festivals in Haiti result in country-wide celebration on the streets including dancing, singing, music, parade floats, and all-night parties. One of the most popular is Rara, which occurs between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday. Despite the religious timing, the roots of the festival are said to have begun in the 1700s and connect with Vodou practices. Others use the celebration as an opportunity to also march and rally around political issues. Despite the many reasons for celebrating and differences between regions, the festival is described as jubilant, colorful, and celebratory. The festival traditional closes with a lead male dancer saluting the crown.
Haitian culture is vibrant and special. Their values intertwine components of community, faith, and celebration, resulting in unique traditions. We hope you've enjoyed learning about some of these here. To learn more about the rich and diverse culture of Haiti, you can also visit:
To donate to the 11 Days in Haiti Campaign, click here.