Haiti

1. Haiti By Neda Ashrati Period 4

2. Location • Haiti is the second largest island in the Caribbean • It occupies the western third of the island of the Hispaniola.

3. The Creator • According to the Haiti, Damballah Wedo was the Great serpent, who the Creator asked to hold up the world. He lived underneath the earth and created the world.

4. Creation of the world • The Haiti’s belief is that Damballah Wedo reached above the world to unleash the stars and planets. Then it slithered on the earth to create rivers, rift mountains, and carve the valleys. It went into the sky and brought thunder and lightning. From its body the Damballah Wedo created Ayida Wedo, the rainbow, who became the Great Serpents wife and gave birth to all the spirits in the world and gave life to all people.

5. History of Haiti • Haiti was originally populated by three separate migration of peoples from the eastern part of Venezuela, the Taino people, and the last of the migrations were from the Peruvian Andez. • French colonists colonized the Spanish island, naming it Saint-Domingue.

6. History Contd. • Saint- Domingue flourished agriculturally, as richest French colony. • As the need for workers increased many slaves were brought from Western Africa

7. Revolution • Saint-Domingue rebelled against the French, and in 1804 the renamed themselves as “Haiti.” • First black republic and independent nation in Latin America.

8. Kinship • Patrilineal System • Extended family living in cluster of households. • They are linked through legal, ritual, consanguineal, and affinal ties. • Oldest male is head of household

9. Household • Wooden structure homes, usually containing two rooms. • West African type of dwellings. Cooking done outside of house on charcoal fires.

10. Agriculture • Vast majority of Haitians are peasants who practice subsistence agriculture. • They grow beans, maize, bananas, coffee, sweet potatoes , and known for rice production and fishing.

11. Division of Labor • Children often help with animals • Women surplus and maintain gardens, and yield to the markets • Men work the lands

12. Language • Two main languages spoke in Haiti - official language of Haiti French spoken by 10 percent of population - Creole is the language spoken by 90 percent of the population • Culturally it is Creole that expresses the Haitian culture and which oral traditions are passed along

13. Culture • Haitian music is big part of their culture, it reflects their history from slavery to revolution they combine traditional drumming and lyrics • Music and dance are central to their Voudon ritual.

14. Culture Contd. • Storytelling is a rich oral tradition that Haitians brought from West Africa. • Stories talk of creation of the world, moral lessons and spirits.

15. Religion • Haitians are Catholics and Voudons. • Catholicism is the official religion in Haiti • Voudon is the more spiritual and traditional part.