 Photo credit: Viator
By: Ford Pierre A military building of indisputable beauty, the Citadelle Laferrière is an architectural marvel among the countless attractive sites abounding in the Caribbean. Indeed, from a height of 914 meters above sea level, it has dominated the entire city of Cape Town and eastern Cuba for two centuries. For a better experience, fasten your seat belts, because this article offers you a short tour of Haiti, more precisely in the North department, to show you around this gigantic fortress, one of the largest and most beautiful on the American continent. Where is Citadelle Laferrière, Haiti, located? Located in Milot, at the top of the Bonnet à l'Évêque, at the southern end of a ridge, is the Citadelle Laferrière, also called Citadelle Henri. It is a majestic military fortification, built the day after the proclamation of Haiti's independence, under the orders of King Henry Christophe, with the aim of defending the northern part of the island against any possible return of French settlers. At that time, Haiti's independence was still fragile, it was necessary to preserve this hard-won freedom. Architectural details of Haiti's Citadelle Laferrière Erected at more than 900 meters above sea level and extending over an area of approximately 10,000 square meters, with walls that rise up to 130 feet in height and more than 5 meters in thickness, it has the capacity to accommodate between 2000 and 5000 men. It composes with Fort Ramier which is in the center of the plateau, the largest arsenal of the time, with cannons of all kinds, two hundred balls and other artillery pieces. Throughout its structure, the Citadel gives off an impression of strength and power, which illustrates well the defensive role it played in post-colonial times. Equipped with bakery ovens, but also very large cisterns to store water and also warehouses to store food for a period of one year for 5,000 soldiers, its structure makes it possible to collect rainwater in order to to redistribute it for the services of the fort, the food of the palace Sans Souci and the inhabitants of the region. How long did it take to construct the Citadelle Laferrière? Inaugurated 18 years after independence, its construction lasted fourteen years and required more than 20,000 workers, while 2,000 of them would have lost their lives on the job. What is even more interesting is that the blood of the latter, with a mixture of animal blood, molasses, sand, clay to name a few, would constitute the mortar of this monument, which still explains its solidity, according to the opinion of the guides. Despite its solidity, part of the Citadel was damaged in 1842, following a powerful earthquake that seriously shook the town of Milot. Fortunately, thanks to the National Heritage Preservation Institute (ISPAN), reconstruction work has been carried out to safeguard this imposing building. UNESCO made it a world heritage site in 1982. Explore more pictures we've taken through the years of the inside and surroundings of Citadelle Laferrière here. Why is Citadelle Laferrière important? Finally, even two centuries later, the Citadelle Laferrière continues to tell the story. It is synonymous with resistance and resilience. This site is much more than a touristic importance for the Haitian people, it is a living witness of its past greatness. It has become today the symbol of pride of an entire nation. Check out more pictures of Citadelle Laferrière and the surrounding area of Cap-Haïtien on our blog.
What are your favorite memories or places in Haiti?
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By: Ford Pierre + Diana Pierre-Louis
What is the cultural importance of soup joumou? All Haitians know the Soup Joumou and all Haitians consume Soup Joumou, but how many know its history and origins? Let's discover the story behind this mythical dish made from giraumon (a variety of pumpkin, found in the West Indies) and why it is traditionally eaten on January 1st. There are often multiple versions of the origins of different types of soup. And when we talk about the origins of Soup Joumou in Haiti, two versions are often spoken of. A colonial antecedent for Soup Joumou First of all, the first suggests that Soup Joumou existed long before Haiti's independence, that is to say since the time of the colony. But its consumption was only reserved for wealthy settlers at the time. The slaves were prohibited from consuming the soup. It was not until the proclamation of Haiti's independence on January 1, 1804, with the authorization of Dessalines' wife (Marie Claire Heureuse) that Haitians began to consume Soup Joumou throughout the country. The objective was to show the whole world, more precisely to France, that Haiti had become a free and independent state. A national invention for Soup Joumou The second version tells that the Soup Joumou is from the invention of Marie Claire Heureuse. When her husband, General Jean Jacques Dessalines was preparing to deliver his speech for the occasion in the city of Gonaïves on January 1, 1804, she wanted to offer a nutritious food that would allow the newly free to resist shortages and other consequences of the war. She therefore proposed Joumou soup because it corresponded to all of these criteria. This soup could help the peasants to remain powerful in the face of hunger for almost 15 days. Previously, Claire Heureuse used Joumou to treat tuberculosis patients at the time. It was after discovering the virtues of this plant that she decided to create the soup. It is therefore from this moment that Joumou soup entered the Haitian tradition. A world heritage for Soup Joumou About two centuries later, the symbolism of the Soup Joumou continues to mark Haitian territory. Every January 1, almost all Haitian families consume the soup. It is a tradition to remember and remind the world that Haiti is the first free black nation. And thanks to the considerable efforts of several patriots, in 2021 it entered the world heritage of UNESCO. It all started in March 2021 when Haiti submitted the candidature of Soup Joumou, to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for registration among the Intangible Cultural Heritages (ICH) of humanity. A few months later, during its 16th intergovernmental session on Thursday, December 16, 2021, UNESCO adopted the inscription of the traditional Haitian "Soup joumou" on the list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity. It is the first meal shared by humanity's first black nation. Every January 1, families and friends in Haiti and abroad travel around to different family and friends houses to enjoy the soup together. Although the ingredients remain mostly the same, each person's flavors can vary depending on which recipe they learned from or which recipe they follow. Luckily with the Internet, there are a plethora of recipes to choose from and I guarantee any will be tasty! I always follow the ingredients list and recipe for Soup Joumou out of our book Freedom Soup by by Tami Charles (Author), Jacqueline Alcántara (Illustrator). It's so easy to follow and simplifies the whole process which includes a long list of ingredients and steps.
Cooking essentials for Soup Joumou
Below is a video in Haitian Creole on how to cook Soup Joumou
Three years ago today, a 35 second earthquake in Haiti destroyed so much. I cannot even imagine what it was like, or what it felt like to lose family, friends, everything you have. At the time of the quake, I didn't know The Real Haiti. I knew only what the TV showed me and what I was told. I was told that Haiti was a beautiful country full of amazing people and culture. It wasn't until I experienced it that I feel in love with this unique place called Haiti. I am so humbled to be a part of trying to reshape Haiti's image so that one day it will be a travel destination that it once was. I love this country so much and the people are the number one reason for that. As much as I promote the great things about this country, I always remind people that I don't ignore the issues it has. I don't try to erase them, or pretend like they don't exist. This blog is simply highlighting my experiences and opportunities that I have had in Haiti. I hope you learn something from me. God bless all of the people in Haiti, Haitian diaspora, Haiti lovers, and especially those who rest in peace from that devestating tragedy that has opened the world's eyes to focus on a new Haiti. Please watch this video below about Haiti's progression since the earthquake. 
A logo creates instant recognition. When people see this logo, I want them to think of Haiti as an experience. This logo was created on the basis of Haitian pride, history and culture; 3 things that make Haiti stand out. The blue and red colors represent the Haitian flag, a symbol of pride and strength. The circular symbol is a modified conch shell, a representation of the untouched seas and traditional cuisine. The Makandal statue in the middle is a historical and recognizable image that reminds Haitians of the struggle to become independent. The Real Haiti logo encourages the viewer to find out more about the country and why they should experience it for themselves. The original design is atypical of a tourism logo that makes it stand out from the rest.
I LOVE to learn. Never stop learning! I googled the Haitian Constitution to read it and found it online. I found these most interesting:
Based on things I've HEARD (of course hearsay isn't always the truth), these few articles are not being followed. What do you think? Do you think that everytime there's a large gathering the police are notified? or that everyone has access to FREE school? Teachers getting paid/paid fairly? There's no need to go on and on about what happened on Jan. 12, 2010. The news did enough of that and will remind everyone today about how Haiti is the "poorest nation in the western hemisphere," about cholera outbreaks and nothing but sadness and poverty. Whatever your impression of Haiti is, I hope it's not that wrong one.
Not ignoring the fact that there is so much sadness attached to the 2 year anniversary of the earthquake, I am going to share some Haitian history with you that I recently learned of (from the Proud Haitian App - see my Haitian Pride blog category on the right for App info). Although I visited the Citadelle only 2 weeks ago, I didn't know all of this great history Haiti has. {Thanks Proud Haitian App for the history info + a lot more history I, and many others, never knew}. Toussaint Louverture Though born a slave in Saint Dominique, Toussaint learned of Africa from his father, who had been born a free man there. He learned that he was more than a slave, that he was a man with brains and dignity. Toussaint took full advantage of this, reading every book he could get his hands on. He particularly admired the writings of the French Enlightenment philosophers, who spoke of individual rights and equality. DURING THE NIGHT of August 22, 1791, a wave of fire engulfed the French West Indies colony of St. Domingue (present-day Haiti), as hundreds of thousands of slaves set fire to plantations, torched cities, and massacred a terrified white population. The slave rebellion that started that night--the most successful slave rebellion in history--lasted 12 long years. It culminated in the founding of the second independent nation in the Western Hemisphere and its first black-governed republic. But more than this, the Haitian Revolution was a turning point in history, the repercussions of which extended far beyond the small island nation. Georges Biassou was an early leader of the 1791 with Jean François and Jeannot, were prophesied to lead the revolution. by the vodoo priest, Dutty Boukman, a Jamaican born vodoo priest. Thomson, Jim, The Haitian Revolution and the Forging of America. The History Teacher 34.1 (2000): 19 pars. 15 May 2011. L 'Ouverture drove out the Spaniards and the British invaders who threatened the colony restored stability and prosperity to renew revenues for the island. By 1803 Napoleon was ready to get Haiti off his back: he and Toussaint agreed to terms of peace. Napoleon agreed to recognize Haitian independence and Toussaint the French invited Toussaint to come to a negotiating meeting will full safe conduct. Betrayed by the French he was captured, imprisoned. In 1803 Toussaint died in prison, but others carried on the fight for freedom(Toussaint Breda) Toussaint l'Ouverture (the one who finds an opening), a former slave lead the revolt. Jean-Jacques Dessalines - Born Jean-Jacques Duclos (20 September 1758 – 17 October 1806), long an ally and general of Toussaint Louverture, brilliant strategist and soldier. Henri Christophe, (6 October 1767 – 8 October 1820)long an ally and general of Toussaint Louverture, brilliant strategist and soldier. 100k slaves and 24k of the 40k plantation owners were murdered. In its attempt to retake the colony, France had lost more than 50k soldiers, including 18 generals. For emancipation and independence, former slaves proclaimed the independence of Saint-Domingue on 1 January 1804. In July 1825, King Charles X of France sent a fleet of 14 vessels and thousands of troops to reconquer the island. Under pressure, President Boyer agreed to a treaty by which France formally recognized the independence of the nation in exchange for a payment of 150 million francs (reduced to 90 million in 1838) – an indemnity for profits lost from the slave trade. |
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