Culture of Haiti
Encyclopedia
The culture of Haiti
is primarily a culture that has strong West Africa
n roots, as well as strong French roots due to the French colonization of Haiti, as is evidenced in the Haitian language, music
and religion
. The culture also encompasses additional contributions from native Taino
and Spanish imperialism
. Preceding “Papa Doc” Duvalier’s rule, the county of Haiti was forced to take out several expensive financial loans from France. During 1957 until 1971 in Haiti it was considered the era of “Papa Doc” Duvalier ruling the country.
(which derives from compas of the French Antilles), the lyrics are mostly in Haitian Creole.
Folklore often categorized into both European (Spanish & French mythology) and African folklore has become a part of Haitian culture. With it many musical styles have arisen due to its influences. The style of music most recognized in Haiti is the wildly popular Compas or "Kompa", a musical genre born of French and Spanish music combined with African-derived drumming and Haitian Creole
-sung verses. Haiti's music (especially Compas) bears several similarities to its Spanish-speaking neighbors yet it is unique in its own right.
In North America, compas festivals take place frequently in Montreal, New York, Miami, and Boston.
Merengue
of the Dominican Republic
is fairly popular in Haiti. The true origins of the genre are not certain with both countries claiming to have invented it. The dance of the same name is considered by many to be the national dance of Haitihttp://www.cp-pc.ca/english/haiti/arts.html; however, there is some controversy regarding its origins. Of the dance, one story alleges it originated with slaves
who were chained together and, of necessity, were forced to drag one leg as they cut sugar to the beat of the drums; however, the most popular story relates that a great hero of the revolution
who had been crippled in one leg was welcomed home with a victory celebration. It was known that he loved to dance but all he could do now, was step with one leg and drag the other to close. The imagery of both stories is important; both describe stepping side and dragging the other leg to close both. The similarly named Méringue
is a distinct Haitian genre which is closely intertwined with that of its Dominican counterpart.
Brilliant colors, naive perspective and sly humor characterize Haitian art. Big, delectable foods and lush landscapes are favorite subjects in this land of poverty and hunger. Going to market is the most social activity of country life, and figures prominently into the subject matter. Jungle animals, rituals, dances, and gods evoke the African past.
In a country of political oppression, one tends to speak in fables. Artists paint in fable as well. People are disguised as animals and animals are transformed into people. In an illiterate land, symbols take on great meaning. For example, a rooster often represents Aristide and the red and blue colors of the Haitian flag often represent his Lavalas party.
Many artists cluster in ‘schools’ of painting, such as the Cap Haitian school, which features depictions of daily life in the city, the Jacmel School, which reflects the steep mountains and bays of that coastal town, or the Saint-Soleil School, which is characterized by abstracted human forms and is heavily influenced by Vodou symbolism.
(referred to as Kanaval in Haitian Creole
or Mardi Gras
). The festivities start in February. The cities are filled with music, parade floats and people dancing and singing in the streets. Carnival week is traditionally a time of all-night parties and escape from daily life. Rara
, a festival which occurs before Easter, is celebrated by a significant number of the population as well and its celebration has been led to it becoming a style of carnival music. Many of the youth also attend parties and enjoy themselves at nightclubs called discos, pronounced in local slang as "deece-ko" (not like the discos of the U.S), and attend Bal. This term derives from the word ballad
, and these events are often celebrated by crowds of many people.
in 1982. Situated in the Northern Massif de la Hotte
, in one of Haiti's National Parks, the structures date from the early 19th century. The buildings were among the first to be built after Haiti's independence from France.
Jacmel
, the colonial city that was tentatively accepted as a World Heritage site, is reported to be extensively damaged by the 2010 Haiti earthquake
.
and approximately 20% professing Protestantism
. A small but growing population of Muslims and Hindus exists in the country, principally in the capital of Port-au-Prince
.
Vodou, encompassing several different traditions, may contain a mix of Central and Western African, European and Native American (Taino
) religions is also widely practiced despite the negative stigma that it carries both in and out of the country. The exact number of Vodou practitioners is unknown; however, it is believed that a small amount of the population practice it, often alongside their Christian
faith. Some Protestants also have been known to participate in some rituals, although indirectly.
Association Football is the most popular sport in Haiti, though basketball
is growing in popularity. Hundreds of small football clubs compete at the local level.
:Category:Museums in Haiti
Haiti
Haiti , officially the Republic of Haiti , is a Caribbean country. It occupies the western, smaller portion of the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antillean archipelago, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. Ayiti was the indigenous Taíno or Amerindian name for the island...
is primarily a culture that has strong West Africa
West Africa
West Africa or Western Africa is the westernmost region of the African continent. Geopolitically, the UN definition of Western Africa includes the following 16 countries and an area of approximately 5 million square km:-Flags of West Africa:...
n roots, as well as strong French roots due to the French colonization of Haiti, as is evidenced in the Haitian language, music
Music of Haiti
The music of Haiti is influenced mostly by Europe, colonial ties, and African migration through slavery. European musical influence derived primarily from the French and by the Spanish-infused influence of Cuba and the bordering Dominican Republic. Styles unique to Haiti include music derived from...
and religion
Religion in Haiti
Religion is professed by almost all Haitians: According to the CIA World Factbook, the religious demographics of Haiti is as follows: Roman Catholic 80%, Protestant 16% , none 1%, other 3%.-Catholicism:...
. The culture also encompasses additional contributions from native Taino
Taíno people
The Taínos were pre-Columbian inhabitants of the Bahamas, Greater Antilles, and the northern Lesser Antilles. It is thought that the seafaring Taínos are relatives of the Arawak people of South America...
and Spanish imperialism
Spanish Empire
The Spanish Empire comprised territories and colonies administered directly by Spain in Europe, in America, Africa, Asia and Oceania. It originated during the Age of Exploration and was therefore one of the first global empires. At the time of Habsburgs, Spain reached the peak of its world power....
. Preceding “Papa Doc” Duvalier’s rule, the county of Haiti was forced to take out several expensive financial loans from France. During 1957 until 1971 in Haiti it was considered the era of “Papa Doc” Duvalier ruling the country.
Music
Haitian Compas chicken (sometimes written as Compas Direct, konpa direk, konpa, or kompa) is a musical genre as well as a dance that originates from Haïti. It was named «Compas Direct» by Nemours Jean-Baptiste on a recording released in 1955. The name derives from compas, the Spanish word meaning rhythm or tones. It involves mostly medium-to-fast tempo beats with an emphasis on electric guitars, synthesizers, and either a solo alto saxophone, a horn section or the synthesizer equivalent. Unlike zoukZouk
Zouk is a style of rhythmic music originating from the Caribbean islands of Guadeloupe & Martinique. Zouk means "party" or "festival" in the local Antillean Creole of French, although the word originally referred to, and is still used to refer to, a popular dance, based on the Polish dance, the...
(which derives from compas of the French Antilles), the lyrics are mostly in Haitian Creole.
Folklore often categorized into both European (Spanish & French mythology) and African folklore has become a part of Haitian culture. With it many musical styles have arisen due to its influences. The style of music most recognized in Haiti is the wildly popular Compas or "Kompa", a musical genre born of French and Spanish music combined with African-derived drumming and Haitian Creole
Creole
- Languages :A Creole language is a stable, full-fledged language that originated from a pidgin or combination of other languages.Creole languages subgroups may include:* Arabic-based creole languages* Dutch-based creole languages...
-sung verses. Haiti's music (especially Compas) bears several similarities to its Spanish-speaking neighbors yet it is unique in its own right.
In North America, compas festivals take place frequently in Montreal, New York, Miami, and Boston.
Merengue
Merengue music
Merengue is a type of music and dance from the Dominican Republic. It is popular in the Dominican Republic and all over Latin America. Its name is Spanish, taken from the name of the meringue, a dessert made from whipped egg whites and sugar...
of the Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
is fairly popular in Haiti. The true origins of the genre are not certain with both countries claiming to have invented it. The dance of the same name is considered by many to be the national dance of Haitihttp://www.cp-pc.ca/english/haiti/arts.html; however, there is some controversy regarding its origins. Of the dance, one story alleges it originated with slaves
Slavery
Slavery is a system under which people are treated as property to be bought and sold, and are forced to work. Slaves can be held against their will from the time of their capture, purchase or birth, and deprived of the right to leave, to refuse to work, or to demand compensation...
who were chained together and, of necessity, were forced to drag one leg as they cut sugar to the beat of the drums; however, the most popular story relates that a great hero of the revolution
Haitian Revolution
The Haitian Revolution was a period of conflict in the French colony of Saint-Domingue, which culminated in the elimination of slavery there and the founding of the Haitian republic...
who had been crippled in one leg was welcomed home with a victory celebration. It was known that he loved to dance but all he could do now, was step with one leg and drag the other to close. The imagery of both stories is important; both describe stepping side and dragging the other leg to close both. The similarly named Méringue
Méringue
Méringue, also spelled "mereng" in Creole, is a music genre native to Haiti . It is musically and historically connected to Dominican Merengue. It is a guitar-based style , and is generally sung in Haitian Creole.-History:The history of méringue is similar to that of much Caribbean popular music...
is a distinct Haitian genre which is closely intertwined with that of its Dominican counterpart.
Art
In a country of political oppression, one tends to speak in fables. Artists paint in fable as well. People are disguised as animals and animals are transformed into people. In an illiterate land, symbols take on great meaning. For example, a rooster often represents Aristide and the red and blue colors of the Haitian flag often represent his Lavalas party.
Many artists cluster in ‘schools’ of painting, such as the Cap Haitian school, which features depictions of daily life in the city, the Jacmel School, which reflects the steep mountains and bays of that coastal town, or the Saint-Soleil School, which is characterized by abstracted human forms and is heavily influenced by Vodou symbolism.
Festivals
The most festive time of the year in Haiti is during CarnivalCarnival
Carnaval is a festive season which occurs immediately before Lent; the main events are usually during February. Carnaval typically involves a public celebration or parade combining some elements of a circus, mask and public street party...
(referred to as Kanaval in Haitian Creole
Haitian Creole language
Haitian Creole language , often called simply Creole or Kreyòl, is a language spoken in Haiti by about twelve million people, which includes all Haitians in Haiti and via emigration, by about two to three million speakers residing in the Bahamas, Cuba, Canada, France, Cayman Islands, French...
or Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras
The terms "Mardi Gras" , "Mardi Gras season", and "Carnival season", in English, refer to events of the Carnival celebrations, beginning on or after Epiphany and culminating on the day before Ash Wednesday...
). The festivities start in February. The cities are filled with music, parade floats and people dancing and singing in the streets. Carnival week is traditionally a time of all-night parties and escape from daily life. Rara
Rara
Originating in Haïti, rara is a form of festival music used for street processions, typically during Easter Week. The music centers on a set of cylindrical bamboo trumpets called vaksen , but also features drums, maracas, güiras or güiros , and metal bells, as well as sometimes also cylindrical...
, a festival which occurs before Easter, is celebrated by a significant number of the population as well and its celebration has been led to it becoming a style of carnival music. Many of the youth also attend parties and enjoy themselves at nightclubs called discos, pronounced in local slang as "deece-ko" (not like the discos of the U.S), and attend Bal. This term derives from the word ballad
Ballad
A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads were particularly characteristic of British and Irish popular poetry and song from the later medieval period until the 19th century and used extensively across Europe and later the Americas, Australia and North Africa. Many...
, and these events are often celebrated by crowds of many people.
Architecture
Haiti's most famous monuments are the Palace of Sans Souci and the Citadel, inscribed as a World Heritage siteWorld Heritage Site
A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance...
in 1982. Situated in the Northern Massif de la Hotte
Massif de la Hotte
The Massif de la Hotte is a mountain range in southwestern Haiti, on the far-western end of the Tiburon Peninsula. The region is relatively remote and is one of the most biologically diverse and significant areas of all of Hispaniola. It also supports some of the last stands of Haiti's dense cloud...
, in one of Haiti's National Parks, the structures date from the early 19th century. The buildings were among the first to be built after Haiti's independence from France.
Jacmel
Jacmel
Jacmel, also known by its indigenous Taíno name of Yaquimel, is a town in southern Haiti founded in 1698. It is the capital of the department of Sud-Est and has an estimated population of 40,000, while the municipality of Jacmel had a population of 137,966 at the 2003 Census.The buildings are...
, the colonial city that was tentatively accepted as a World Heritage site, is reported to be extensively damaged by the 2010 Haiti earthquake
2010 Haiti earthquake
The 2010 Haiti earthquake was a catastrophic magnitude 7.0 Mw earthquake, with an epicentre near the town of Léogâne, approximately west of Port-au-Prince, Haiti's capital. The earthquake occurred at 16:53 local time on Tuesday, 12 January 2010.By 24 January, at least 52 aftershocks...
.
Religion
Haiti is similar to the rest of Latin America in that it is a predominantly Roman Catholic country with 80%-85% ChristianChristian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
and approximately 20% professing Protestantism
Protestantism
Protestantism is one of the three major groupings within Christianity. It is a movement that began in Germany in the early 16th century as a reaction against medieval Roman Catholic doctrines and practices, especially in regards to salvation, justification, and ecclesiology.The doctrines of the...
. A small but growing population of Muslims and Hindus exists in the country, principally in the capital of Port-au-Prince
Port-au-Prince
Port-au-Prince is the capital and largest city of the Caribbean nation of Haiti. The city's population was 704,776 as of the 2003 census, and was officially estimated to have reached 897,859 in 2009....
.
Vodou, encompassing several different traditions, may contain a mix of Central and Western African, European and Native American (Taino
Taíno people
The Taínos were pre-Columbian inhabitants of the Bahamas, Greater Antilles, and the northern Lesser Antilles. It is thought that the seafaring Taínos are relatives of the Arawak people of South America...
) religions is also widely practiced despite the negative stigma that it carries both in and out of the country. The exact number of Vodou practitioners is unknown; however, it is believed that a small amount of the population practice it, often alongside their Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
faith. Some Protestants also have been known to participate in some rituals, although indirectly.
Cuisine
Sports
In the early 20th century, it was reported that cock-fighting was the most popular sport, though its popularity has since faded.Association Football is the most popular sport in Haiti, though basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
is growing in popularity. Hundreds of small football clubs compete at the local level.
See also
- Ayiwood
- Public holidays in HaitiPublic holidays in HaitiThe following are public holidays in Haiti. Many Vodou holidays are also celebrated, but are not public holidays.In addition, the following Christian holidays are celebrated but their dates vary each year....
:Category:Museums in Haiti
- Haitian cinema
- Haitian literatureHaitian literatureHaitian literature has been closely intertwined with the political life of Haiti. Haitian intellectuals turned successively or simultaneously to France, the UK, the United States, and African traditions...
- Media of HaitiMedia of HaitiAs in many developing countries, radio reaches the widest audience in Haiti. Estimates vary, but more than 300 radio stations are believed to broadcast throughout the country. Talk show programs serve as one of the few ways in which ordinary Haitians can speak out about politics and the government...