JACMEL, HAITI — Jacmel’s thirty third annual carnival drew 1000’s to the southeastern coastal metropolis on Sunday, Feb. 23, underneath the theme “Jacmel Debout,” or “Jacmel Standing Tall.” The celebration, marked by vibrant dance troupes and Vodou performances, embodied resilience amid the nation’s ongoing challenges.
“We should rise as much as struggle insecurity, unemployment, and the excessive value of residing to construct a greater Haiti,” mentioned Jacmel’s deputy mayor, Benissoit Jean Pierre, addressing the gang. Talking at an official ceremony on the Minister of Tradition and Communication’s workplace, Jean Pierre additionally paid tribute to key figures of town’s wealthy cultural legacy, together with poet and historian Michelet Divers and former mayor Michael Craan, referred to as “Manman Jacmel” for her efforts in selling town’s arts and tourism.
The ceremony was attended by nationwide and native carnival committee members, representatives of the Vodou sector, and officers akin to Secretary of State for Communication Bendgy Tilias. Because the festivities unfolded, the streets of Jacmel got here alive with music, dance, and elaborate costumes, reinforcing town’s popularity as Haiti’s cultural coronary heart.
Carnival goers holding their “tchatcha” or maracas danced to the tune of a road band or “ band a pied” following the carnival queen We-Berline Marcelin on the parade on February 23, 2025. Photographs by Danise Davide Lejustal for The Haitian Instances
A parade of colour and tradition
By 2:00 PM, Rue du Commerce has reworked into an open-air stage. Union Band from Ecole Dessaix Baptiste musical faculty led the parade, adopted by the officers, the carnival king and queen and representatives of varied walks of life, together with the notable Vodou neighborhood.
Dance troupes Asotor, Paj d’Artwork, Bel Étoile and Mazmotte electrified the route as much as the official grandstand whereas conventional masked teams and putting imaginary masks drew awe from the gang. A choreography directed by Daphnis Brusma and an allegorical float designed by architect Yves Kersaint have been among the many highlights of the festivities.
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A choreography directed by Daphnis Brusma was among the many highlights of the festivities. Picture courtesy of the carnival official committee
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The king of carnival René Benjamin and the queen We-Berline Marcelin seen on the allegorical float designed by architect Yves Kersaint. Picture courtesy of the carnival official committee.
13 road bands, generally referred to as “bann a pye” in Creole, together with Dolphins, Contemporary Up, Bel Plezir and Contemporary Type Band, stored town’s power excessive into the night.
Because the solar set, the celebration ended on a excessive observe with an electrifying efficiency by the group 2D, whose meringue “Bagay la Rèd,” resonated with the gang, mixing festivities with the underlying struggles of the second.
Name for higher group and sustainable funding as distributors wrestle with gradual gross sales
Amid the celebration, requires higher group and sustainable funding echoed by means of the carnival. The Carnival Fee advocated for a extra structured and clear method, proposing a carnival lottery with proceeds devoted completely to financing future editions.
Whereas revelers loved the spectacle, logistical shortcomings grew to become evident.
“The gang didn’t permit dancers and masqueraders to parade correctly,” mentioned Aladin Vandagula, a member of the group Crew Patnè, in an interview with The Haitian Instances. “I additionally observed the absence of native authorities, as if the carnival had been left by itself.”
For a lot of distributors alongside Avenue Barranquilla, the primary parade route, the carnival is an financial lifeline. However this yr, some expressed disappointment over weak gross sales.
“I’m not making good gross sales, not like what I anticipated. I don’t have many consumers this yr, perhaps as a result of they don’t have the funds for,” mentioned one vendor, dancing in entrance of her stall to draw clients.
Regardless of these issues, Jacmel—Haiti’s cultural capital—as soon as once more proved that in Haiti, tradition is not only a celebration, however an act of resistance.
A show of photographs providing a glimpse into the day’s celebration together with the large papier-mâché masterpieces: A better have a look at the towering, artistically crafted masks that outline Jacmel’s distinctive carnival custom.
Elegant dance troupes in movement: Capturing the class and precision of choreographed performances that lit up the parade.
Picture courtesy of the carnival official committee