Culture of Haiti
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The Culture of Haiti encompasses a variety of Haitian traditions, from native customs to practices imported during French colonisation.
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[edit] Creole
Though only recently it is being recognized as an official language, Haitian Creole (Kreyól Ayisyen) language is spoken by all Haitians. Creole was first born of the French spoken by pirates and hunters living on the island of Tortuga during the 1600s. English, Spanish, and African influences were added into the language. It has vocabulary more French than African, with sounds and cadence more African than French, and a simplified structure or syntax owed to its English influence. Taino dialects are heard as well.
[edit] Dance
Merengue is the national dance of Haiti; 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.
Folklore, which in itself is broken down into different categories resembling African dances, is one of the two national dances of Haiti. The other, and more popular one for it is danced by all Haitians, is Compa or Kompa. The minuteness of hip-hop Haitian artists in Haiti alone is enough to prove that hip-hop is in no way the "national dance of Haiti".
[edit] Festivals
The most festive time of the year in Haiti is during Carnival (or Mardi Gras). The festivities start a couple of days before Ash Wednesday. The days are filled with music, parade floats and people dancing and singing in the streets. The three-day Carnival that ends on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday is traditionally a time of all-night parties and escape from daily life. Rara is a festival celebrated by a significant number of the population as well and its celebration has led to it becoming a style of carnival music. Many of the youth also attend parties and concerts called a Bal. This term derives from the word ballad, and these events are often celebrated by crowds of many. Dance music is played all throughout.
[edit] Religion of Haiti
The most widely practiced religions are Catholicism, Vodun (or Voodoo), and Protestantism. The official religion Haiti inherited from the French colonialists is Roman Catholicism, with about 80% of the Haitian population declaring themselves Roman Catholic. However, approximately half of all Haitians are said to nominally practice Vodun. Note, that this claim is denied by many of the population.
[edit] Cuisine
The cuisine of Haiti is influenced in a large part by French cuisine as well as some native staples such as cassava (kasav), yam, and maize (mayi). Haitian food, though unique in its own right, shares much in common with the rest of Latin America. Some popular dishes are:
Diri ak Pwa: Rice and Beans, Griyo: Fried Pork, Kabrit: Goat, Sos poul: Chicken in sauce, Mayi moulen: Cornmeal, Sòs pwa: a sweet bean sauce, Legume: Vegetables (okra, eggplant, tomatoes, and more ingredients), Poisson: Fish, Diri ak Let: A dessert composed of sweetened milk and rice, Banann Fri/Peze: (Fried Plantains, also popular in the Dominican Republic)
A preferred seasoning known as Epis in Haiti is commonly referred to as Sofrito by the rest of the region, a basic recipe goes as following:
Celery Red peppers Green peppers Cilantro Onion Garlic Vegetable Oil Tomatoes (optional, but used in some provinces) All of the ingredients are blended together and a dash of sugar or Adobo is added. Salt should not be included or substituted for this. This season is mainly used to condiment or prepare meats, cooked rice and/or stews.
[edit] External links
- île en île (primarily in French) includes an extensive database of Haitian authors.
- EchodHaiti.com A cultural website, with sections on Haitian people, Haitian history, Haitian music, and Haitian culture.
- HaitianDiaspora.com Site for the next generation of Haitians growing up primarily in America.
