Overview:
Haiti marked Aug. 14 as a public vacation for the primary time, commemorating the 234th anniversary of the Bois Caïman ceremony. Ann Reviv Ayiti Lontan (ARAL) —a sociocultural group— celebrated with music, dance and a cultural heritage exhibition in Pétion-Ville, honoring the enslaved leaders whose rebellion in 1791 sparked Haiti’s battle for freedom.
PORT-AU-PRINCE — Below pink, inexperienced, blue and pink Vodou handkerchiefs and the mushy glow of a standard lamp referred to as “lanp tèt gridap,” Haitians gathered in Pétion-Ville on Aug. 14 to honor the 234th anniversary of the Bois Caïman ceremony and to have fun the historic date not too long ago declared a nationwide vacation for the primary time.
The occasion, organized by the sociocultural group Ann Reviv Ayiti Lontan (ARAL)—Creole for “reliving yesterday’s Haiti”—was held at Quartier Latin Restaurant and Brewery. It featured dwell music, dance, and an exhibition of conventional Haitian objects to commemorate the Vodou ceremony that ignited Haiti’s battle for independence in 1791.
“We selected Aug. 14 to revive the traditions of the previous and remind the world that we’re Haiti, the primary free Black nation,” stated ARAL coordinator Véronique Olivier. “Our historic roots hint again to this date, which gave delivery to Jan. 1, 1804.”
Regardless of the nation’s rising gang-related insecurity, Haitians determined to have fun this significant date—honoring their ancestors’ reminiscence and a key milestone of their march towards freedom.
The date additionally marks the primary anniversary of ARAL, which was established on Aug. 14 final 12 months.
“It’s a date usually missed, since Aug. 15 [date honoring Catholic Church saint Notre-Dame] is extra broadly celebrated. That’s why we should keep in mind it—it actually belongs to us,” Olivier informed The Haitian Occasions.
A primary in Haiti’s official calendar with heritage on show
A Dec. 11, 2024, presidential decree acknowledged Aug. 14 as a public vacation, closing faculties, places of work and companies nationwide. It marked the primary official state recognition of the Bois Caïman ceremony, lengthy celebrated in Haitian historical past as an emblem of unity and resistance.
“For the primary time within the nation’s historical past, we are going to formally have fun Bois Caïman,” stated Fritz Alphonse Jean, then head of the Presidential Transitional Council (CEP), on Aug. 7, when asserting the choice to implement the decree declaring the event a nationwide vacation.
“We selected August 14 to revive the traditions of the previous and remind the world that we’re Haiti, the primary free Black nation.”
Véronique Olivier, ARAL coordinator
“Our responsibility as heirs of those nice legacies is to take care of, protect, and cherish them,” Jean added.
Earlier than the live performance started, friends explored ARAL’s exhibition of heritage objects: calabash bowls (kwi), enamel espresso pots, pestles (pilon), charcoal irons and the childhood recreation (kay). Every merchandise evoked rural life and the resilience of generations previous.
“With ‘Ayiti Lontan,’ [Yesterday’s Haiti], we carry again conventional objects and video games to indicate future generations why they matter,” Olivier stated.
The stage décor included a lanp tèt gridap alongside firewood, scarves in Haiti’s colours and a jug wrapped in blue and pink — symbols of each home life and nationwide pleasure.
An evening of music and reminiscence
By 7 p.m., the venue was packed. Drums, guitars, keyboards and voices stuffed the air as artists carried out Vodou chants, slam poetry, reggae and acoustic items. The lineup featured Ralph Valéry Joé “Reeval” Alfred, Shoono “Slamarre” Lamarre, Duckyns “Zikiki” St-Eloi of Yizra’el, Joël “Joël Akoustik” Pierrevil, and Maudeline “Fameuse Maude” Dérival.
To begin, a DJ set the tone, and spots of pink mild bathed each the performers and the viewers, energizing everybody. Dancers and singers, many from the Vodou neighborhood, carried out songs rooted in Haitian Vodou tradition, together with items reflecting trendy life.
To the rhythm of drums, electrical guitar, keyboards and cymbals, the group adopted the chants led by singers, tambourine gamers, and Vodou practitioners. Collectively, they introduced the Bois Caïman ceremony to life, honoring priest Dutty Boukman and glorifying the loas for defense and answering prayers of the enslaved dreaming of freedom.
That evening, a pledge of freedom was made, accompanied by Vodou rituals. Quickly afterward, plantations had been set on hearth, sparking the primary main rebellion that finally led to the enslaved declaring their independence on Nov. 29, 1803.
Singer Zikiki energized the group with Vodou songs, whereas Fameuse Maude’s soulful “Vanité” reminded listeners that with out love, nothing issues. Between units, performers evoked the unique 1791 gathering led by Dutty Boukman and Cécile Fatiman, when enslaved Haitians pledged to battle for freedom — a revolt that finally led to independence in 1804.
The night grew to become a communion of historical past and artwork, uniting previous and current.
“We’re assured folks loved the occasion and can proceed supporting ARAL’s mission,” Olivier stated. “Occasions like this present we’re able to dwelling collectively and honoring our heritage.”