"For long before the Ayitians fought back
The Ancients taught that
Spirit could never be slaved
And we be Spirit People
Long before the Ayitians fought back."
-Rudwaan
Culture and Life in Haitian Communities
More than 90% of Haiti's population is of African decent, but most people simply identify themselves as Haitian. This strong sense of nationalism is evident in the pride and love of country demonstrated by the individuals we visited in the Haitian communities. Accordingly, most have the express goal of bettering themselves in the United States so that they can return to help rebuild the country they hold dear (Countries and their Cultures). The Haitian culture contains French elements from the time of colonization, and African element from the slave trade period.
The language spoken in Haiti, as well as in Haitian communities, is mainly Creole or French.
For, Haitian immigrants, one of the many difficulties of moving to the US is learning to speak a new language (Appolon). Appolon, shared with us that he only knew the words, "Yes" and "No" upon arrival. He and many other Haitian children get held back in school while they work on becoming proficient with the English language. Adults attend special language classes and immersion helps, but it is a difficult process none the less. It is no wonder then that within Haitian communities in the US, there is still popular use of the Creole language; making it one of the many cultural trademarks of the Haitian people.
Perhaps one of the most infamous traits of Haiti is its religion. While 90% of the county claims to be catholic, and the other 10% protestant, many Haitians practice voodoo. Voodoo a eclectic mixture of Christianity along with spiritual and ritualistic practices and beliefs from Africa (Jacobson). Most families even have their own iwa, or spirit, that looks after their well-being and who must be appeased, if the family is to remain safe and happy (Jacobson). Many Haitians living in America still practice Voodoo, but they do so quietly so that they will not be labeled as Voodoo worshipers (Jacobson). You will readily find Voodoo depicted in Haitian art, dance and literature.
Like most people who immigrate to America, cultural identity can be lost in the pursuit of the "American Dream"(Countries and their Cultures). Assimilation into the many aspects of western lifestyle is inevitable and often necessary. None the less communities make concerted efforts to keep their cultural heritage alive. To this end, you will find the expression of Haitian culture in a variety of places from rhetoric to art to dance.
Dance is a very popular form of expression in Haiti. Sometimes people "don't always know how to express themselves (Appolon)," when they want or need to. Haitian dancing is a traditional type of dancing that can be traced back to their African heritage, but that also has evolved to include many unique Haitian qualities. In the United states, the dance is something that unites the community as well as keeps the Haitian culture alive and thriving.
Art is another popular vehicle for Haitian cultural expression. Haitian art reflects African, French, Catholic, and tribal Voodoo traditions (Haitian Art). There is much life and beauty in Haitian art. Two of the first things one notices about it is the vibrant use of color and a prevailing theme of optimism. Even though there is much poverty and hardship in Haiti, artist often find a way to depict the joyfulness of life and people in their work. Some artists depict the darker side of life, but there appears to be an overwhelming tendency toward the positive. Perhaps this is a way that Haitian artist attempt to bring solace to a people who have suffered much at the hands of slavers, dictators, and natural disasters.
Rhetoric , like art and dance, expresses many of the same themes through poetry, song, and stories. The poetry can convey sadness, especially when illuminating the darker times in Haiti history. Words are powerful, and in Haiti, this power has gotten many into trouble. In the works of author Paul Laraque, “Dictators do not like good writers because they are skilled masons; the builders of myths and destroyers of myths." Writers have reputations of being "agitators of dissent" and the government rightly feared that a few words will light a spark to an "upheaval in the minds and hearts of masses" (Sylvain). For a very long time writers were persecuted, imprisoned, and killed in Haiti for writing. But even with the risks, people continued to write and Haitians continued to read even during periods of time when were forced to keep there books under there beds as to not get them taken when the military came for surprise visits. These "red books" were extremely problematic for the government, just like in the United States during the time of McCarthyism (Sylvain). Even today,writers continue to bring light to social and political truths that help to ignite a change that inspire people to follow in the footsteps of progress.
The language spoken in Haiti, as well as in Haitian communities, is mainly Creole or French.
For, Haitian immigrants, one of the many difficulties of moving to the US is learning to speak a new language (Appolon). Appolon, shared with us that he only knew the words, "Yes" and "No" upon arrival. He and many other Haitian children get held back in school while they work on becoming proficient with the English language. Adults attend special language classes and immersion helps, but it is a difficult process none the less. It is no wonder then that within Haitian communities in the US, there is still popular use of the Creole language; making it one of the many cultural trademarks of the Haitian people.
Perhaps one of the most infamous traits of Haiti is its religion. While 90% of the county claims to be catholic, and the other 10% protestant, many Haitians practice voodoo. Voodoo a eclectic mixture of Christianity along with spiritual and ritualistic practices and beliefs from Africa (Jacobson). Most families even have their own iwa, or spirit, that looks after their well-being and who must be appeased, if the family is to remain safe and happy (Jacobson). Many Haitians living in America still practice Voodoo, but they do so quietly so that they will not be labeled as Voodoo worshipers (Jacobson). You will readily find Voodoo depicted in Haitian art, dance and literature.
Like most people who immigrate to America, cultural identity can be lost in the pursuit of the "American Dream"(Countries and their Cultures). Assimilation into the many aspects of western lifestyle is inevitable and often necessary. None the less communities make concerted efforts to keep their cultural heritage alive. To this end, you will find the expression of Haitian culture in a variety of places from rhetoric to art to dance.
Dance is a very popular form of expression in Haiti. Sometimes people "don't always know how to express themselves (Appolon)," when they want or need to. Haitian dancing is a traditional type of dancing that can be traced back to their African heritage, but that also has evolved to include many unique Haitian qualities. In the United states, the dance is something that unites the community as well as keeps the Haitian culture alive and thriving.
Art is another popular vehicle for Haitian cultural expression. Haitian art reflects African, French, Catholic, and tribal Voodoo traditions (Haitian Art). There is much life and beauty in Haitian art. Two of the first things one notices about it is the vibrant use of color and a prevailing theme of optimism. Even though there is much poverty and hardship in Haiti, artist often find a way to depict the joyfulness of life and people in their work. Some artists depict the darker side of life, but there appears to be an overwhelming tendency toward the positive. Perhaps this is a way that Haitian artist attempt to bring solace to a people who have suffered much at the hands of slavers, dictators, and natural disasters.
Rhetoric , like art and dance, expresses many of the same themes through poetry, song, and stories. The poetry can convey sadness, especially when illuminating the darker times in Haiti history. Words are powerful, and in Haiti, this power has gotten many into trouble. In the works of author Paul Laraque, “Dictators do not like good writers because they are skilled masons; the builders of myths and destroyers of myths." Writers have reputations of being "agitators of dissent" and the government rightly feared that a few words will light a spark to an "upheaval in the minds and hearts of masses" (Sylvain). For a very long time writers were persecuted, imprisoned, and killed in Haiti for writing. But even with the risks, people continued to write and Haitians continued to read even during periods of time when were forced to keep there books under there beds as to not get them taken when the military came for surprise visits. These "red books" were extremely problematic for the government, just like in the United States during the time of McCarthyism (Sylvain). Even today,writers continue to bring light to social and political truths that help to ignite a change that inspire people to follow in the footsteps of progress.
Our Haitian Dance Experience! -Class by Jean Appolon
For information on the dance class, visit the Jean Appolon Expressions website at: www.jeanappolonexpressions.org