Haiti was once the richest French colony. Today it is the poorest independent country. Haiti is a country of contradictions. It is a Latin American country with African descent population. The culture is French influenced. The language is a combination of all the cultural languages called Creole.

The original inhabitants were Tainos (Arawaks), gentle and peaceful people. They were vulnerable when the Spaniards invaded the island. The Spaniards decimated the gentle indigenous population through exploitation. Tainos died from diseases brought by the conquistadors. When Columbus first arrived at the island of Hispaniola, there were over a million Tainos. By the sixteenth century, the indigenous population numbered a few hundred..

The depleted gold mines prompted Spain to cede the western third of the island to France. Buccaneers had taken the land as their own. Their attempts at farming were dismal. The French removed the buccaneers with little or no resistance. French citizens migrated to the island. The French decided to grow sugar, coffee, and cocoa in the rich soil. These crops grew well and were profitable. The problem facing the French was a lack of labor. The Spaniards destroyed most of the native people.. The French colonists followed their Spanish predecessors’ idea and imported African slaves. St. Domingue became a slave port. By the end of the 18th century, slaves numbered a half a million. The French population was 36,000.

The French, in order to maintain control over the slaves were cruel. They beat and tortured without compunction. In less than a hundred years, the cruelty displayed towards the slaves caused a revolt. The white planters had children with female slaves. The French freed the slaves based on color. They became “gens de couleur” (free coloreds).

Many mixed bloods were not freed because their color was too dark. They escaped and hid in the mountains. They would come down and attack vulnerable plantations. Makandal, a Houngan (male Vodou priest) became leader. He used the voudou (voodoo) religion to build up groups of followers. The people embraced the Voudou religion.

Traditions

Language

The primary language is Creole – is a mixture of many linguistic influences: African dialect, native language, Norman French (the buccaneers that settled in St. Domingue before Spain gave the area to France), and colonial French.

Story telling is an oral tradition that gives life lessons, or about history of the family and ancestors.

Religion

The main religion is Roman Catholic. Voudou, practiced by many Haitians and often people practice both religions at the same time. Voudou is a belief in spirits, nature, and supernatural. This belief united many escaped slaves who followed Makandal. It gave them hope in the face of the extreme adversity. Many outside people think Vaudou is “black magic.” Movies and other media propagated the myth. The religion believes in ancestral spirits, tribal history, and mythic figures. It keeps alive African beliefs and borrows from Christianity. Funerals traditionally use the Voudou ceremonies first, followed by a Roman Catholic ceremony presided by a priest.

Holidays - Haiti celebrates all holidays. The holidays mentioned are uniquely Haitian.

Independence Day – January 1st

Jean-Jacques Dessalines’ Death – October 17

Battle of Vertieres Anniversary – Novemeber 18

-This battle took place in 1803. It decisively broke the French influence and effectively ended slavery. Two months later Dessalines declared Independence on January 1, 1804.

The battle cry was “Live Free or Die” Jean-Jacques Dessalines told his soldiers.

Columbus Day – December 5. - first time he visited Hispaniolia

Ancestors’ Day – January 2

Carnival – 3 days before Ash Wednesday.

This carnival became a tradition when Dessaline sensed the citizens becoming restless from the incessant poverty he would have a carnival. The people loved carnivals, and it would lift the depression.

Weddings, Birth, Death

Traditionally celebrated with Voudou and and Christian rites.

Relationships

Manners are essential

-The exchange of greetings in public places: Men shake hands, women exchange cheek-air kisses.

Children show respect to elders and formally greet visitors in the home.

Nicknames are common. Firstborn males are traditionally called FanFan. Dodo is the nickname for Dominique and friends and family use the familiar name.

Family

The relationship between husband and wife is equal. They share household and money matters.

Extended families used to be the traditional family. Since poverty and lack of jobs, most families living in the cities are nuclear families.

Women who are in the coffee industry and transport coffee beans are “Madam Saras.” The women who are not working on the farms with their husbands can keep the money they earn.. These women are independent.

Marriage among the poor Haitians is plasaj (common-law marriage. It is not recognized by the government but accepted as legitimate among the poor. Men and women may have a number of plasaj relationships. Children, even if born in the different marriages, consider each other as brothers and sisters. Children are gifts from God.

Inheritances split equally to all children.

Clothing

Traditional folk costumes for men is hand embroidered shirt made of cotton, linen, or denim.

Traditional folk clothes for women is an embroidered short-sleeved blouse, bright, multicolored skirt and a scarf on the head.

Local Arts

Haitan music is unique to their culture. It blends African drum rhythms with European dance music.

-During the carnival, bands compete. The Haitian kompa and Voudou rasin are the popular musical style. They have begun to use reggae and rap styles as additions to their native music..

Galleries and museums in the United States, France and other countries exhibit Haitian art.

Haiti’s people are an intriguing mix of colors and traditions. They have endured a history of war and bloodshed. They have lived through many natural disasters. The resilient Haitians have kept a sense of selves and positive outlooks.