4 Important Aspects of Haitian Culture

Haiti is a country rich in history. They were the first successful slave revolt in modern history, and the country has staunchly maintained its independence since the early 1800s. While regularly trading with much larger, surrounding countries, the Haitian people are established in their culture and way of life. They have established a completely unique language and religion and endured a seemingly endless stream of natural disasters. It is a rich and vibrant culture, friendly and full of flavor. Unfortunately, it’s also embedded with a history of child labor and extreme poverty. Restavek Freedom works within Haitian customs to help free children in slavery, engage families, partner with authorities, and raise awareness.

Here are 4 important aspects of Haitian culture:

Cuisine

Haiti is a complex, gritty, and savory country, and its food is no different. Mixed with African, French, and Caribbean roots, Haitian cuisine is a melting pot of flavors, sure to evoke memories of home cooked goodness and blend it with the unexpected taste of something new and different. Haitian dishes are prepared in the home, with friends and family around the table. It is a communal culture built around long-term relationships, which makes the existence of restavek so much more troubling. Systematic poverty and the separation of classes has established a hierarchy in the country, which has made it socially acceptable to use vulnerable families for child labor. Remember the children in restavek as you remember Haitian cuisine. If you are visiting the country, be responsible and ensure your tourism dollars are going to reputable establishments.

Demography

Haiti is packed. Roughly the size of Massachusetts and with more than 10 million people, it’s one of the most densely populated countries in the world. The capital city Port-au-Prince is its largest city, but more than 60 percent of the population lives throughout rural areas. Restavek is used to describe a form of modern-day slavery, where children typically born into rural families are given to relatives or strangers. The children are often promised a more affluent environment or better education opportunities, but end up working long hours for no pay, and are isolated from the families that they live with. There is a big gap between the economically elite, the growing middle class, and the poorest. Children in rural, poorer families are most vulnerable to becoming domestic slaves in wealthier areas of the country. Restavek Freedom’s resources are dedicated to seeing the end of slavery in Haiti.

Loss and Bereavement

Haiti has been struck by natural disaster more times than seems possible. The emotional impact of these disasters is compounded when survivors experience distress over the inability to complete cultural death rituals. When these disasters strike, many are unable to properly grieve and bury their loved ones. Deaths from natural disasters are sudden and unexpected, allowing survivors no time to say goodbye or prepare for the loss. Many survivors of the earthquakes and hurricanes have lost not only loved ones, but tangible items as well. Homes, pets, work, and reminders of their community were all swept away. The Haitian people are resilient in the face of these types of losses; however, it does leave an impression on the country. At Restavek Freedom, our Child Advocates work with children in restavek to make sure their host family is treating them well, and visit their school to ensure the children are thriving. We work within the loss that exists to find ways to establish hope and a future.

Religion

Haiti adopted Roman Catholicism when the French took control, but voodoo has maintained a strong presence in the area, often mixing into other religions. Voodoo has its roots in West Africa, but encompasses aspects of many religions, and is combined with traditional folklore and tales that have been passed down through the generations. As the country gained its independence from the French, Catholicism remained the official religion of Haiti. Eventually, the widely-practiced voodoo religion was named as another official religion of the country. The majority of Haitians believe in and practice elements of voodoo along with either Protestant or Catholic Christianity, as it is believed that religions can coexist. Restavek Freedom fights against the restavek system by working with church and community leaders to train their communities to end child slavery. The 12-week Justice Curriculum course weaves together the biblical mandate for love and justice with Haitian law and case studies of children who have been abused or are victims of human trafficking.

Join Us

At Restavek Freedom, we have dedicated ourselves to ending child slavery in Haiti in our lifetime. We focus our work and our influence to freeing children from isolation, exploitation, and abuse. In addition, our work involves educating and engaging with families so children do not end up as slaves and transforming hearts through national outreach efforts that empower change. Founded in 2007, we have a strong Haitian-led team working throughout Haiti, with staff based in Port-au-Prince and Port Salut, as well as a small support staff in Cincinnati, Ohio. Donate now, sponsor a child, and join us today to discover how you can play a part in ending child slavery in Haiti.