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Holidays in Haiti

Haiti, the pearl of the Antilles, is a country rich in history and culture. Its public holidays are moments of celebration, commemoration and reflection on its glorious past. Each date has a special meaning, plunging Haitians into a festive and memorable atmosphere. b~January 1: National Independence Day and New Year~b January 1st is a doubly special day in Haiti. On the one hand, it is National Independence Day, commemorating the victory of Haitian slaves over French colonial forces in 1804. On the other hand, it is New Year’s Eve, marking the start of a new year full of promises and hopes. b~January 2: Feast of the Forefathers~b January 2 is dedicated to the memory of ancestors. It is an opportunity for Haitians to remember their roots, to celebrate the cultural heritage passed down from generation to generation. b~February: Carnival, Shrove Monday, Fat Tuesday, Ash Wednesday~b The month of February is marked by Carnival, one of the most colorful and dynamic festivities in Haiti. The streets fill with parades, lively music and wild dancing. Mardi Gras is the culmination of Carnival, followed by Ash Wednesday, marking the start of Lent. b~April: Easter, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday~b Easter celebrations in Haïti include the religious traditions of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. It is a time of prayer and reflection for many Haitians. b~May 1: Agriculture and Labor Day~b May 1 is dedicated to celebrating the work and importance of agriculture in the life of the country. It is an opportunity to recognize the efforts of workers and to highlight the agricultural sector. b~May 18: Flag Festival~b Flag Day celebrates the Haitian flag, a symbol of independence and national pride. Haitians honor their colors and remember the courage of their ancestors in the fight for freedom. b~May 23: National Sovereignty Day~b This day commemorates the recognition of Haitian sovereignty by France in 1805. It is a moment of national pride and reaffirmation of independence. b~May - August: Ascension~b The Ascension is celebrated between May and August, a religious festival marking the ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven. b~June: Fête-Dieu~b Fête-Dieu, also known as the Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ, is an important religious celebration in June. b~August 15: Assumption of Mary~b The Assumption of Mary is a Christian holiday marking the ascension of the Virgin Mary into heaven. It is celebrated with fervor in Haiti. b~September 20: Birth Anniversary of Jean-Jacques Dessalines~b This date commemorates the birth of Jean-Jacques Dessalines, one of the founding fathers of Haïti and a key leader in the struggle for independence. b~October 17: Death of Dessalines~b October 17 is a day of commemoration of the death of Jean-Jacques Dessalines, recalling his impact on Haitian history. b~November 1: All Saints’ Day~b All Saints’ Day is a religious holiday honoring all saints, celebrated with prayers and visits to cemeteries. b~November 2: Day of the Dead~b All Souls’ Day is an opportunity to pay homage to the deceased by decorating graves and participating in religious ceremonies. b~November 18: Commemoration of the Battle of Vertières~b This day honors the decisive Haitian victory at the Battle of Vertières in 1803, marking the end of the French occupation. b~December 5: Discovery Day~b December 5 celebrates the discovery of the island by Christopher Columbus in 1492. b~December 25: Christmas~b Christmas celebrations in Haïti are marked by family reunions, festive meals and religious traditions. Public holidays in Haïti are much more than breaks from everyday life; these are moments that embody the soul and resilience of a people. Each celebration provides an opportunity to come together, remember the past and look to the future with hope and determination.

Haitian Cuisine: The Delights of Corn, Let’s Savor This Culinary Treasure!

There’s no accounting for taste! For some, the go-to dish remains a good rice accompanied by pea sauce and vegetables, while for others, corn is king, in all its forms. In this article from Haïti Wonderland, we’ll explore five ways to enjoy ground corn. To start the week off right, many gourmands enjoy a dish of white corn, often garnished with vegetables such as spinach or tomatoes. This colorful and tasty mix allows you to start Monday morning on a delicious note. Others find happiness in a dish of corn accompanied by pea sauce and vegetables, ideal after a long day of school or work. It’s a real comfort that brings satisfaction and energy. And what about corn served with red beans and a good stew? It’s the perfect dish for a Saturday, a real pick-me-up after a difficult week. And here, we move on to the most copious for some: corn with djondjon and fish sauce! This accompaniment adds an umami touch for fans of good food! And to top it all off, although rare or reserved for big celebrations, corn à la bonne femme never fails to make us salivate! It is simply a complete dish! Whether as a main course or otherwise, corn invites itself onto our plates with happiness and creativity.

The Rendez-Vous Christ Church mobilizes youth around an inspiring conference

Discover how the Rendez-Vous Christ Church motivates youth at an inspiring conference. Join us to learn more!

Antreprann: The Digital Revolution of Haitian Entrepreneurship Coming August 11, 2025

In Haiti, launching an entrepreneurship business is often a real challenge. Lack of financing, scattered information, a lack of visibility for local startups, and difficulties finding mentoring or reliable partners... Many entrepreneurs find themselves facing their challenges alone, which hinders innovation and the country’s economic growth.

Haiti: The Center department, one of the departments most resistant to natural earthquakes

The Center department, commonly called Plateau Central, is one of the ten (10) departments of Haïti most robust in the face of certain natural phenomena. Before becoming one of the ten (10) departments of Haiti, the Center department was part of the Great North. It is renowned for its natural landscapes, its biosphere climate and its resistance to certain natural phenomena. In addition to its natural productions such as corn, millet and livestock, the Center department is also known for its high mountains which constitute a robust defense against certain natural phenomena such as earthquakes and floods. Composed mainly of high mountains, the department of Charlemagne Peralte and Benoît Batravil is the only one of the ten (10) not to have an outlet to the sea. However, its inhabitants take advantage of the vast rivers, rivers and lakes which cross it . With an area of ​​3,487 km², the population of the Center department is estimated at 678,626 according to a study carried out in 2009. On this same area, the department is divided into four (4) districts and twelve (12) communes. Bordered to the east by the Dominican Republic, the Center department connects other departments of the country such as Nord and Artibonite, and connects the two countries of the island through border areas like Balladère, Hinche and Cerca Carvajal. In the Center department, there are sites that could attract tourists for their natural beauty. In Saut d’Eau, there is the Saut d’Eau waterfall, in Hinche we find the Zim basin, the Péligre lake, the Péligre hydroelectric dam, the Artibonite river, and the Deux river (2 ) Rooms in Thomonde, more precisely in "El Manni", not far from the communal section of Caille-Epin. Thanks to its strong mountains and its natural climate, the Center department remains one of the most resistant departments in the event of an earthquake in Haiti.

Jean-Jacques Dessalines, leader of the Haitian Revolution

In the annals of the history of Haiti, an island located in the Caribbean at the entrance to the Gulf of Mexico and shared with the Dominican Republic, Jean-Jacques Dessalines emerges like a phoenix from the ashes of oppression. Born a slave on September 20, 1758 in the home of Henri Duclos, in Cormier (Grande-Rivière-du-Nord), in the French colony of Saint-Domingue, Dessalines was a Creole of African (Afro-Caribbean) origin. Freed during the 1794 abolition achieved through slave revolts, actually served as an officer in the French army during the French Revolution. At that time, the ideas of freedom and equality were at the heart of the concerns of the inhabitants of the colonies. Dessalines actively participated in the fighting against the Spanish and British forces, alongside the French, in Santo Domingo. Having risen to the rank of Lieutenant General, Jean-Jacques Dessalines turned against the French during the Leclerc expedition, sent to Saint-Domingue by Bonaparte to reestablish colonial authority and slavery during the Haitian Revolution. After the capture and deportation of Toussaint Louverture to France on June 7, 1802, Dessalines assumed a leading role in continuing the struggle for independence. He led numerous battles, including the battle of Crête-à-Pierrot in March 1802, where he galvanized his soldiers with his famous declaration: “Let those who want to remain slaves of the French leave the fort, let those, on the contrary, who want to die as free men, line up around me.” On January 1, 1804, Jean-Jacques Dessalines achieved the long-awaited goal of independence by proclaiming Haïti as a sovereign nation, becoming the second country in the Americas to gain independence from a colonial power. He became the first leader of the newly formed nation and was named Emperor under the name James I. However, his imperial reign was marked by authoritarian and brutal policies, including the massacre of many white settlers and the redistribution of land to peasants that was in the hands of the generals of the independence army. In addition, he organized the hunt for delinquents in the city while implementing rigorous agrarian policies, considering that they represented a threat to the stability of the nation, these controversial actions caused divisions within Haitian society. Dessalines was assassinated on October 17, 1806 following a plot organized by some of his generals in the Haitian army. His death marked the end of his brief but influential period in power. Despite the controversies surrounding his methods, he is recognized as the main architect of Haiti’s independence and his name was honored in 1903 by being attributed to the Haitian national anthem, La Dessalinienne, composed by Justin Lhérisson.Finally, the great visionary man Jean Jacques Dessalines remains an emblematic figure in the history of Haiti, recognized for his role in the fight for independence and the end of slavery in the region.