Haitians celebrate Haiti’s independence across the globe. Plenty of customs and traditions are resuming this year, now that covid is slightly more under control.  

Haitian independence day is on January 1st. Haiti commemorated the declaration of independence from France on January 1st, 1804. The Haitian Revolution began in 1791 when slaves and a few wealthy people of color revolted against French colonizers in what was then known as Saint-Domingue.  There were many inspirational heroes that helped Haiti get their independence. Such figures like Jean Jacques Dessalines, Henri Christophe, and Toussaint Louverture.  

After gaining independence, Haiti was appointed as the Western Hemisphere’s first freed Latin American black country. On this day, we eat and drink traditional dishes like Kremas, Cola Lacaye, Rum Barbancourt, Aksan, and Pate Kole. One of my favourite dishes soup joumou is made with squash blended with coconut milk, cooked pasta, oxtail, cow feet, turkey, and flavorful vegetables and seasoning. This dish takes up to three hours to cook. During slavery, the french colonizers would tell us that we are not allowed to eat joumou because we were black and less than the whites. After the Haitians fought in the Haitian revolution, they ate the joumou as a sign of power and liberation. 

The year 2023 makes 219 years of being free and eating this soup. There are many different traditions that occur on this day. Since New Year is Haitian independence day on New Years’ eve, we go to the beach and wash our face with the seawater and throw the soap as soon as midnight drop to signify that we are leaving the old year behind. Think of it as the American saying New year, New me. Another tradition is going to church in the evening on NYE and finishing at midnight on New Year and drinking hot chocolate or cafe et pain. As soon as we get home we put a pot on the stove, clean the meat, cut up the squash, and make our traditional soup. 

Music is one of the many things Haitians adore. In Haiti, people have festivals and dinners with the whole neighbourhood. During these festivals, gospel music is played or we listen to all music by Claudette Pierre or old-school Haitian Christmas music. Haitian music is comprised of many different genres such as kompa, Tropicana, ballads or gouyad.

Haitian independence is one of those holidays that is very special to Haitians. As a Haitian American, it’s great to see many people embracing this culture and celebrating together. As the Haitians love to say “L’Union Fait La Force and Bone Anne tout moun”.