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Friday, May 8, 2015
The people living in Haiti are called Haitians. They are known for their skills and fondness in art and performances. Many art pieces from Haiti are highly revered in other parts of the globe because the distinct characteristics and fun colors. Music is also a big part of Haitian culture. Their music was actually inspired by the Americans, Spanish and French. The drum is an integral musical tool the Haitian Compas or Kompa Direk is a popular type of music. Compas is a Spanish term which stands for “tones” or “rhythm”. The nation actually did not record music until 1937. In that year, Guignard, a jazz musician recorded the music for the first time. The nation later on developed its musical identity inspired by Vodou events and customs. The beats can be medium or fast and are played together with electric guitars, synthesizers and a horn. Saxophones and other musical instruments are also played.
Other types of music in Haiti include Mini-Jazz, Rara, Mizik Rasin, Haitian Rap and Zouk. The celebrations usually start in the month of February. This is the time when the Kanaval or carnival is held. During the celebrations, people take some time off from work to be in the streets together to dance, sing and celebrate. There are beautiful parade floats and music is played the whole time. The musical festival is called Rara which is done before Easter. It is full of spectacles. Christianity is also common among Haitians with majority being Roman Catholics. The old practice of Vodou is still exercised in remote parts. The religion of Vodou is a mix of Taino, Western African, European and Central African beliefs.

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by: The Flagman

Thousands of tourist come to Haiti every year to know more about the nation’s background and culture. The culture and customs in the country can be described as a mix of French and Spanish culture. Haiti is located in the Western Hemisphere. Around it are the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Golfe De la Gonave. People believed that the very first people who lived on the island were the Ciboneys during 450 AD. In 900 AD, the Arawak Indians resided on the island in large villages and called the place “Ayiti”, which translates into “Land of Mountains”.
On December 5, 1492, Christopher Columbus found Haiti when he was venturing the Western Hemisphere. The Spanish colonizers who arrived after him attacked the local residents. For many decades, no people lived on the island. It was only during the mid-17th century that the French transformed Haiti into one of its colonies and made it grow culturally and economically. Haiti was going through an economic boom because of its export of cocoa, sugar, coffee and cotton. Later, the French brought in slaves from Africa to work the fields.
The slaves rose up against their masters in 1791, helping Haiti become a free country in 1804. General Jean-Jacques Dessalines led the revolution. In 1884, the area become Haiti and the Dominican Republic. In World War II, many Americans also stepped into Haiti.

The culture of Haiti is a mix of African, West Indian and French cultures today. The national language is Creole which is used widely in many other areas.

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by: The Flagman

Tuesday, May 5, 2015
The citizens of Haiti are called Haitians, known for their creativity and artistic skills. Artworks from Haiti are famous around the world because of their attractive features and bright colors. Music is an essential part of Haitian culture and is inspired by American, French and Spanish tunes. The drum is one of the most common musical instruments used in the country. The Kompa Direk or Haitian Compas is a famous type of music in Haiti. Compas comes from the Spanish term which means tones or rhythm. Haiti did not record music until 1937. Guignard is a jazz musician from Haiti who first recorded the unique tunes in 1937. The music in Haiti also gives reference to Vodou traditions and events. The beats tend to go from medium to fast and are backed by saxophones, electric guitars, a horn and synthesizers.

Some of the renowned music kinds include Mizik Rasin, Rara, Zouk, Mini-Jazz and Haitian Rap. The celebrations start in February. There are carnivals or Kanaval held during that time when people spend time away from their usual activities to be on the streets, performing dances and singing. During the event, parade floats are also displayed together with music playing in the background. Rara is a musical celebration held before Easter. Many Haitians are actually Christians, specifically Roman Catholics. Vodou is an ancient religion that still has followers until the present day. The religion follows a lot of customs inspired by Western Africa, Central Africa, Taino and Europe. You can witness some solemn religious activities in many regions.

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by: The Flagman

Monday, May 4, 2015
When you visit Haiti, you will realize how the tradition and culture of the nation feature a blend of Spanish and French backgrounds. Haiti is found at the Western side of the Hemisphere, with no less than Caribbean Sea embracing it. The Atlantic Ocean and Golf of De la Gonave also surround Haiti. Many people thought that the pioneer inhabitants were the family of Ciboneys, who lived in the country  during 450 AD. 450 years later, Arawak Indians lived in bigger villages and named the country Ayiti, which means “Land of the Mountains”.
Christopher Columbus discovered Haiti on 5th day of December 1492 when he was exploring the West. The Spaniards that arrived later attacked the Arawaks, so for quite some time, there were no people living on the island. During the middle of the 17th century, it was known that the French made Haiti its colony and made it part of the famous islands in the region. Haiti was growing economically because of its production of coffee, sugarcane, cotton and cocoa. The Afrikaans were bought by the French to become slaves.
In 1791,  it was told that the slaves rose to fight against the French and gained their independence in 1804. It was then that Haiti became a free black country, led by Gene. Jean J. Dessalines. In the year1884, the country was split into two. Haiti and  Dominican Republic. In the 2nd World War,  the Americans also settled in the country.
The Haiti culture is described as a mixture of French, West Indian with African cultures because of the people who used to live on the island. Creole is the country’s main language and is commonly used in theatre, dance, art and literature.

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by: The Flagman