Whatever the occasion, Haiti has a bright and exhilarating festival to honour it. Music, movies, jazz, rum; whatever the occasion, Haiti has a vibrant and exhilarating festival to celebrate it. Every carnival, the country’s Afro-Caribbean cultural flare is mixed with song and dance to produce colourful extravaganzas that leave a lasting impression on both residents and tourists who choose to participate. The festivities here also give fascinating insights into Haiti’s national identity, providing a peek of the country’s beliefs and customs. Here’s our list of the top 8 festivals and carnivals of Haiti.
Haiti, a small island nation in the Caribbean, was previously a victim of French colonisation before becoming the first-ever republic headed by people of African origin during the Haitian Revolution in 1804. Slavery was rampant throughout French colonialism, and Haiti produced over 60% of all coffee in the globe, making this little island nation the world’s greatest coffee producer at the time. More recently, the country was devastated by a devastating earthquake in 2010, which killed over 200,000 people and displaced 1.5 million more.
Despite the country’s terrible history, the Haitian people have developed a culture that is full of festivities, song, dance, and costumes, with a strong emphasis on family and heritage. Let us take a closer look at the festivities of this Caribbean wonderland, for the people of Haiti know how to celebrate an event like no other country in the world.
Here is the list of the top 8 festivals and carnivals of Haiti-
1. Festival of the Ancestors-
Fet Gede, also known as the Festival of the Ancestors, is the Vodou religion’s equivalent of the Mexican Day of the Dead and Mardi Gras rolled into one. People from all across Haiti gather in the capital to dress up, take to the streets, and dance in a procession to pay honour to the Gede (spirits of the Vodou religion). The month of November is filled with rituals and celebrations, but the most important ones take place at the beginning of the month on All Saints and All Souls Day (1st & 2nd of November, respectively). As they make their way across the city to the cemetery, the throng carries photographs or images of their ancestors to honour them, as well as special offerings such as their favourite alcoholic beverage or coffee.
2. Carnival of Haiti-
Carnival in Haiti is comparable to Carnival in other Caribbean countries and the annual celebration in Rio de Janeiro, but with a Haitian touch. While the music of Rara can be heard throughout the city, the streets are filled with innovative costumes that are frequently politically motivated or satirical of current events. Parades of brightly coloured floats take over the streets, blasting music to the crowd’s chaotic dancing, and rum-fueled parties often go into the early hours of the morning. This event takes place over several weeks leading up to Lent, with festivities beginning in early February. The city, Port-au-Prince, hosts the largest Carnival celebration, while lesser events take place around the country.
3. Rara festivals-
The Rara Festival is a Haitian music festival that takes place every year during Lent and features traditional Haitian and Afro-Caribbean music. While the event follows the Catholic calendar, its origins are a distinct blend of Catholicism and the Vodou religion. The Rara Festival is held in villages and towns around Haiti before moving on to the big cities. The celebration features a lot of group singing and dancing, as well as percussion instruments and Vaksen, which are handcrafted bamboo trumpets. As the festivities come to a close in the cities, bands of up to 1000 people perform in the streets, while thousands more dance to the Rara’s music. This festival is all about finding strength and unifying the Haitian people.
4. Dessalines day-
Dessalines Day, a state holiday commemorating the death of Haiti’s founding father, Jean-Jacques Dessalines, who fought for and achieved the country’s independence in 1804 is another significant occasion in the Haitian calendar. Dessalines was born into slavery and spent his early years working on a plantation before joining the slave insurrection in 1791 which would eventually lead to the revolution. Dessalines was a key military figure in guiding the Haitian people to freedom in 1804 when they became the world’s first black republic and one of the first countries to abolish slavery altogether. People in Haiti today remember Dessalines’ life and the country’s independence by holding parades and often dressed up in his honour. Every year on October 17th, Dessalines Day is commemorated in various cities in Haiti, including Port-au-Prince.
5. Le Festival du Rhum Haiti-
The Haitian Rum Festival is a celebration of alcoholic beverages from all over the coast, inspired by the Paris Rum Fest and the Martinique Cane Festival. The event, which began in 2014, includes rum tastings, workshops, and food demonstrations by famous rum experts. A vast variety of moonshine and rum is flowing in all directions here.
6. Carifesta-
Carifesta is an enthusiastic celebration of Caribbean art, music, and dance that is for and about the people. The event leverages Caribbean performing culture to bring the many islands’ regions together. The Carifesta is always a long-lasting event; the first one in Guyana lasted three weeks. The following Carifesta took place in Jamaica in 1976, lasting 11 days, and the third in Cuba in 1979, lasting two weeks. If you plan on visiting this festival, make sure to wear your dancing shoes because the music and movement of the entire event are contagious and highly pleasant.
7. Jacmel Film Festival-
The Jacmel Film Festival is a Haitian gala that honours contemporary world cinema while also imparting cultural knowledge via the medium of film. The festival attracts around 50,000 visitors each year and serves as a platform for Haitian filmmakers to gain international recognition. The festival takes place in a variety of locations, including a picturesque open-air cinema set up on the town’s waterfront.
8. Port-au-Prince International Jazz Festival-
The Port-au-Prince International Jazz Festival is a musical spectacle aimed at promoting jazz in Haiti as well as increasing cultural understanding between Haiti and the United States. The festival, which began in 2007, offers free concerts and activities to educate tourists about music. The festival is a must-see for music fans, with a combination of local Haitian performers and international jazz artists.
Haiti is a stunning, culturally diverse country steeped in tradition and history. And if there’s one thing the Haitians know how to do very well, it’s rejoicing. While there are many unique occasions throughout the year, these are the top 8 festivals and carnivals of Haiti you don’t wanna miss.
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