Haiti: A Unique Destination Combining Tourism and Culture

Millet: A Simple and Healthy Recipe for Generation Z

Hey Generation Z, I know what you’re thinking: another weird dish? But trust me, even if it doesn’t look like much, millet is amazing! At first, you might cringe, but once you taste it, you’ll be asking for more. So, are you ready to embark on this culinary adventure?

Guédés: When Haïti celebrates its ancestors with color and fervor

Every November 1st and 2nd, Haïti comes alive with the colors black and purple to celebrate the Guédés, spirits venerated in the voodoo religion, symbols of a powerful bond between the living and the dead. Fascinating, indomitable and provocative, the Guédés form a true family in the pantheon of Haitian voodoo, where they are respected for their role as spiritual guides of the deceased to the afterlife. Led by iconic figures such as the legendary Baron Samedi and his companion Grann Brigitte, the Guédés embody the paradoxes of life and death. Each Baron has a unique personality: Baron Cimetière, Baron Kriminel, and Baron La Croix are the guardians of the souls that wander on the borders of the world of the dead. Together, they form a powerful and somewhat frightening presence, but one that is deeply rooted in Haitian culture. The Guédés are not like other voodoo spirits; they demonstrate their fearlessness in a spectacular way. Accustomed to death, they are fearless and are provocative: they eat glass, raw peppers, and coat their sensitive parts with rum and pepper. These gestures mark their indifference to danger and remind us that they have already known earthly life. They are thus psychopomps – these beings who lead the souls of the dead – and act as bridges between the world of the living and that of the dead. Some Guédés, like Guédé Nibo, wear black, purple, and white clothing, each with unique characteristics. They are many and varied: Guédé Fouillé, Guédé Loraj, Papa Guédé, and many others. These are the spirits who, each year, remind Haitians of the importance of remembering and honoring the deceased. The cult of the Guédés is not only religious; it is also cultural and historical. According to tradition, their spiritual territory, or “Fètomè” – nicknamed the “Country without Hats” – is a place where the souls of ancestors reside. According to stories, the origins of this cult go back to the Abomey plateau, the ancient capital of the kingdom of Dahomey, in Africa, where death and life coexist in a form of symbiosis. This celebration in Haïti even finds echoes in ancient history. The Romans also honored their dead with the “Fête des Lémuria”, which took place in February, to ward off spirits and restore peace between the world of the living and that of the deceased. For Haitians, honoring the Guédés is about accepting death as a part of life and celebrating the invisible bonds that unite us with those who have left us. It is also a way of resisting, because life, despite its challenges, must be celebrated in all its complexity and depth.

Redefining the image of Haïti on the internet: Yes, we can do it!

Haïti is often viewed online through the prism of poverty, political instability and natural disasters. Although these aspects are part of the Haitian reality, they do not entirely define it. Cultural richness, a glorious past, abundant natural resources, exquisite gastronomy and other attractions are equally important, but unfortunately less publicized, facets.

Moïse François: A young Haitian journalist committed to literature and social development

Moïse François is a young Haitian journalist, poet and law student at the State University of Haiti. He was born on November 13, 1999 in Port-au-Prince and is the eldest of a family of three children. He grew up between his hometown and Camp-Perrin, a small town in southern Haiti. Moïse François is a young Haitian with a remarkable academic and professional background, showing a deep passion for literature, journalism, social commitment and justice. He embodies this type of dynamic young person that the thirst of any great human society demands. Moïse claims above all to be a surveyor of the countries of his read books. "Literature, the kind that sets free, is my first home. I frequented Prague under the Soviet occupation of Milan Kundera, thanks to its literature, much better than some corners of Port-au-Prince, my hometown, largely plunged into horror and constant fear," he says. His great literary culture has largely contributed to his open-mindedness, his survival in this country and his impressive creativity.

What Does December 25th Mean to Haitians?

In Haiti, December 25th, Christmas Day, is much more than just a religious holiday. It is a date filled with traditions, cultural meanings, and moments of sharing. This article explores what this day means to Haitians and how it is celebrated throughout the country.

Haiti: Between Contrasting Geography and Natural Wealth

On January 1, 1804, Haïti became free after a fierce struggle against colonization and slavery. Located in the Caribbean region, it occupies the western third of the island of Hispaniola, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. With an area of ​​27,750 km², it is bordered to the north by the Atlantic Ocean, to the south and west by the Caribbean Sea and to the east by a land border of 376 kilometers with its eastern neighbor. This geographical location, rich in contrasts, shapes not only its identity, but also the economic and environmental challenges that the country must face.