Religion
Religion is an integral part of Haitian life and culture. The two main religions are Roman Catholic and Voudou, or Voodoo, a mixture of African animism (the belief in spirits and nature) and Christianity. Many Haitians practice both of these religions at the same time. There are also protestants of various denominations. The Haitian government does not impose on any restrictions on religion or missionary activities.
Unlike the “Black Magic” reputation it has in books or movies, Voudou is in fact, a religion based on ancestral spirits, tribal deities, and mythical figures such as the goddess of the sea. It keeps alive old African beliefs while borrowing freely from Christianity. At funerals, it is not uncommon for Voudou ceremonies and rituals to be performed for family members first, followed by a traditional Roman Catholic ceremony presided over by a priest. |
What are your beliefs about divinity or supernatural existence? |
Holidays
Carnival
Carnival is Haiti's biggest celebration. The word derives from "carnavale," which in Latin means "meat farewell." Celebrations for carnival usually begin at the end of January and end with "Fat Tuesday," or Mardi Gras, when different types of fats are consumed at home. Following Fat Tuesday is the Catholic holiday Ash Wednesday, which also marks the start of lent. Carnival is marked by colorful parades, lively music, traditional art and dances throughout Haiti. Rara Rara, which originated in Haiti, is celebrated during Easter week. It revolves around festival music played during street processions; the vaksen (cylindrical bamboo trumpets), maracas and metal bells are often played during these processions. By Good Friday, the streets of cities and towns are packed with bands, dancers and colorful and glittering costumes. During the street processions, musicians shout out refrains of special songs, and people also create impromptu percussion instruments with soft-drink bottles and skillets. Independence Day Independence Day is celebrated on New Year's Day, which is when Haiti gained independence from France in 1804. On January 1, thousands of people gather in Port-au-Prince, the country's capital, and watch parades, as well as visit the National Palace on the Champs de Mars. The day is also marked by fireworks, dancing in the streets and the singing of the national anthem. Fet Gede Voodoo, an important belief system that shapes daily life in Haiti, was declared an official religion in 2003 by the Haitian government. It's no surprise, then, that several holidays originate from the practice, as voodoo priests now have the legal authority to perform baptisms and weddings. Fet Gede, or All Souls Day, is a national holiday arising from voodoo and celebrated on the first and second of November. During Fet Gede, voodoo practitioners go to cemeteries to give food and drink offerings and to pray. Celebrations also continue at voodoo temples during the evenings. |
TraditionsFamily
Urban families might have three or four children, while rural families have ten or more. The basic unit of society is the extended family. Grandparents may act as parents in place of an absent or working mother or father. Relatives may also fill the role of godparent, which entails responsibility for a child if a parent dies. Children from cities may be sent to live with relatives in the countryside during summer vacations, and children from the countryside may be sent to live with relatives in cities to attend school. Adult children are expected to remain with their parents until marriage, and occasionally, married children live with one spouse’s parents until they can afford a home of their own. Married couples usually live close to their families. This is especially true in the countryside, where the traditional “lakou” form of housing (a common courtyard surrounded by a family compound of small sleeping rooms) is prevalent. In urban areas, the father, if present in the home, is head of the household and responsible for earning an income. Mothers are responsible for cooking, cleaning, and teaching their children religion and morality. Middle-class urban families may have a servant to cook and do other chores. Rural men work their fields, while women sell produce in the market and care for the household and children. Though men may earn the money and make decisions, it is often the women who manage the household’s money. Single-mother households are very common, as men typically have children by more than one woman. In such households, mothers often rely on older children and relatives to help earn income and to care for younger children. In most families, a child's main concerns are succeeding in school and completing household chores. In wealthier families, children may be responsible only for keeping their rooms clean; in poorer families, chores include cooking, laundry, and cleaning. Some families can afford to send only one child, usually the oldest or the boy, to school while the other kids especially girls, are expected to do housework. Educated children are expected to better the social and financial status of the family, providing for parents or less fortunate siblings later in life. Other children are expected to help more around the house or with the family business, which could simply mean being a street vendor. |