Overview:
Architect Didier Dominique, a staunch defender of Vodou and employees’ rights, is remembered by the KOSANBA Govt Board for his legacy of activism, cultural preservation and scholarship in Haiti.
Editor’s notice: Didier Dominique died of pancreatic most cancers on Sunday, Might 18, 2025, on the age of 73. The obituary beneath is courtesy of members of KOSANBA’s govt board.
On behalf of the Board of KOSANBA, a Scholarly Affiliation for the Research of Haitian Vodou, housed on the College of California, Santa Barbara, we categorical our deep disappointment and sorrow upon the transition of Didier Dominique. KOSANBA extends its heartfelt condolences to his daughter Ariel Dominique and different members of the family, and to the broader communities in mourning.
With heavy hearts and deep gratitude for the legacies of Didier Dominique’s work, we salute our comrade and brother for his fierce dedication to social justice, his endless battles for employees’ rights, and his protection of Vodou. We pay tribute to the energy of his ethical conscience and the consistency of his voice and management, which have been and can proceed to be a supply of inspiration for thus many in Haiti and internationally.
In commemorating Didier Dominique’s life and work in the present day, we honor the esteemed architect and longtime professor of city sociology on the Université d’État d’Haïti, in addition to the main voice with Batay Ouvriye for the rights of employees in Haiti and past. We honor the distinguished author, who with esteemed anthropologist and manbo Rachel Beauvoir-Dominique, co-authored in Haitian Kreyòl the necessary examine Savalou E, which targeted, partly, on Vodou sosyete as facilities of rural group and collective resistance.
This work was awarded the distinguished Casa de Las Américas prize in 1989 and was revealed by Les Éditions du CIDIHCA in 2003. Their most up-to-date co-authored e book Textes à Conviction, revealed with the assist of FOKAL in 2015, displays the big selection of their collaborative work, in addition to the dedication, rigor, engagement, and solidarity that guided and propelled it over a long time. We honor Didier Dominique’s dedication, together with Rachel Beauvoir-Dominique, to safeguarding eritaj, and their joint curation of museum reveals devoted to the Haitian nationwide faith in Haiti and within the U.S., Canada, and Europe.
Didier Dominique was an in depth good friend of KOSANBA, particularly after Rachel Beauvoir-Dominique grew to become a Board Member in 2012, and he participated together with her, Ariel Dominique, and Malou Beauvoir in our Fall 2017 convention in New Orleans. When Rachel transitioned solely two months later, Didier inherited from her lots of the duties for the Lakou Bovwa in Mariani, which he fulfilled with willpower, dedication, and utmost respect for the rituals and custom.
He additionally continued engaged on their longtime joint imaginative and prescient to create a cultural heart and archive there, a venture that may, amongst different goals, assist protect Ati Max Beauvoir’s (and likewise Rachel’s) immense legacy of writings and educating about Vodou and Haitian tradition writ massive.
This previous yr, Didier labored with KOSANBA board members on the Portuguese version of Rachel Beauvoir-Dominique’s e book Investigations autour du web site historique du Bois Caïman, researched in collaboration with Eddy Lubin in 1999. This translation will inaugurate the collection “Vodou Ayiti,” initiated by KOSANBA board member Cecilia Lisa Eliceche with the assist of houngan Jean-Daniel Lafontant and revealed in Brazil by Editora Segundo Selo. The second e book of this assortment will probably be Rachel and Didier’s Savalou E. Didier was desperate to have this e book revealed in Portuguese and prior to now month was in a position to have a short trade with the translator.
Isn’t it symbolic that Patriot Didier would make his transition on Might 18, Haiti’s Flag Day, and likewise on what would have been Rachel’s sixtieth birthday? We discover consolation in figuring out that these marasa are actually reunited and the sacred union of our beloved Rachel and Didier continues. Might their celestial reunion be a joyous one and should we on this aircraft rejoice this unbelievable legacy and do all in our energy to uphold and proceed the large work that has been accomplished and left behind.
Didier, might you relaxation in peace and energy! You permit many college students. We stand in your mighty shoulders and inherit a big duty, however will preserve the sunshine ablaze. Be assured that the battle for liberation for Haiti and for Vodou will proceed!
The Mapou has fallen however has deep roots…
As you typically stated, we additionally say… “Gwo Kwoke” “Gwo Kwoke” to you, expensive Didier. Bonne traversée….