Culture in Haiti

Art in Haiti

Haitian art is seen throughout all of Haiti. With African roots, you see many representations of "everyday life in Haiti." It's vibrant, beautiful and always stands out.

browse haitian art

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"A nation's culture resides in the hearts and in the soul of its people."
Mahatma Gandhi

Carnaval (Kanaval) in Haiti

Every year, Carnaval in Haiti (Port-au-Prince) is a celebrated over several weeks before Mardi Gras. Other small cities celebrate Carnaval as well, each with beautiful handmade costumes and masks for dancing and celebrating in the streets.

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Blog post: Similarities and differences between Haiti 1983 and today

Dance & Music in Haiti

Haitian dance is also known as Kompa. Dancing is a huge part of Haitian culture and life. Haitian music has French, African and Spanish influences. Dancing is also a social activity, used for celebrations such as church socials and informal parties, as well as evenings out with friends. In small restaurants, social dance music is provided by relatively small twoubadou groups, while larger clubs with big dance floors often feature dance bands reminiscent of the American big bands in size. Social dance music has been one of the most heavily creolized music forms in Haiti.

Types of Haitian music:
Folk music

Twoubadou
Rara
Méringue
Kontradans

Popular music

Haitian hip hop (rap kreyòl)
Zouk or zouk-love
Mizik rasin
Haitian rock (rock kreyòl)
Mini-jazz
Compas / Kompa
Spiritual music
- Haitian Gospel music
- Haitian Voodoo drumming

Haiti Poetry

Home is home (Lakay se lakay) | By Edison Senat

Lakay se lakay
Pa bliye gade bel roch, lanme nou pi sale, pwason nou pi gou.
Pa bliye pran yon ti fritay, manje akra ak lam veritab byen fri ak bon kou piklis.
Mande pou bwe let bef manje patat dous, ak labapen...
Lakay se lakay
fe plimen yon poul peyi pou ou,mete li nan ti sos byen pike ak yon gren banan'n gosbot. Fe melani fe yon yon ji kachiman pou ou, ak sik rouj byen pres ak de bout glas ladan li.
Lakay se lakay
mande pou ale gade yon ti foutbol, rete yon machan kan dous, pa pran tet la se bout anba a ki pi sikre, veye pou pa mode lang ou...
Lakay se lakay
mande pou al danse twoubado, anba gwo la Lin, kote seren ap tombe pou fe ou fre.
mande yon grog 5 etwal se kann ki fel, pa fimen non comme qu'il faut se bon tabak, kap fe'w bliye come back
Lakay se lakay.