Haïti : Boukanye

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.

Crémas: One of Haitians’ Favorite Christmas Drinks

Crémas is one of the most iconic drinks in Haitian culture, especially enjoyed during the Christmas holiday season. This sweet and creamy cocktail has become a staple during family and community celebrations. This article invites you to discover this delicious beverage, its history, its preparation, and the importance it holds for Haitians during Christmas.

LEGACY LEADERSHIP AWARD 2025: 6 leaders honored in Carrefour for their commitment and impact in the commune

The LEGACY LEADERSHIP AWARD 2025, organized by LEAD-ACADEMY, honored the committed youth of the commune of Carrefour. This prestigious event brought together nearly 200 young people and many local actors to celebrate exemplary leadership in a region facing many challenges.

Beven brings Haïti among the elite of world slam

This Thursday, November 14, 2024, the young slam artist Youven Beaubrun, Beven by his stage name, qualified Haiti, for the very first time in its history, for the final of the Slam World Cup. This competition, which brings together the best slam artists on the planet, took place on African soil, more precisely in Togo. In a country held by the throat, a country that is dying from start to finish, under the dangerous feat of a certain armed part of its youth, Beven’s extraordinary performance in this competition resonates with the echo of a whole piece of the country, in the thirst for beauty. Beven is the symbol of a youth that refuses to give in to the chaos that surrounds the face of its motherland. Art, slam being his field of specialization, is used in the best possible way to make hope resonate. And to continue to believe that a country that made 1804 cannot afford the luxury of sinking so hard in the face of human history. "It is with pride that I advanced in this competition. Especially with the crisis that is going through the country at the moment. My qualification for the final is an eternal sign of hope, which confirms the fact that not everything in this country will end in death," the young slammer told us before going to compete in the final. The final took place on Saturday, November 16, 2024, where Beven had his chance to represent his wounded land well on the doorstep of a world victory, a victory that if it had taken place, would have been initialed in the name of an entire people, in the absolute race against a great chaos that dreams only of suffocating it. Although he failed to win this cup (finishing in sixth place overall), the Haitian slam champion had time to inspire an entire country during his great journey in this competition. This is only a postponement, next time victory will be achieved for sure.

Haiti: The Rara season in Petit-Goâve: A celebration of life, unity and resilience

As the new season of Rara looms on the horizon, certain groups such as Saint Jacques Majeur, Ratyèfè, Florida Band, Lambi Grand, and Grap Kenèp are already preparing to light up the streets of Petit-Goâve with their flamboyant costumes and their captivating melodies. For these groups, the future looks bright, promising a season full of passion and success. However, other rara bands are still hesitant about which direction to take. Despite these uncertainties, optimism reigns regarding the success of this new season for all rara groups in the commune of Petit-Goâve. Rara, anchored in the Vodou tradition, is much more than a simple artistic manifestation. It embodies the very essence of Haitian culture, highlighting questions of memory, tradition and identity. This increasingly popular form of artistic expression attracts a large audience and arouses unprecedented enthusiasm. Groups like Ratyèfè, Grap Kenèp, Florida Band and Chenn Tamaren, recognized for their ability to delight their fans, play a crucial role in the continued growth of rara in the town. The rara season traditionally begins on Dead Thursday and ends on the night of Easter Sunday or quasimodo Monday. To mark the beginning of this sacred period, groups organize opening ceremonies, honoring the spirits of the deceased in rituals steeped in spirituality. These ceremonies, often held in cemeteries or in the "Bitasyons" of groups, symbolize the deep link between the rara and Vodou traditions.

Haiti: Rutshelle Guillaume triumphs at the summit of “Nuits d’Afrique” with the Francophonie prize

Haitian musical sensation Rutshelle Guillaume has been awarded the prestigious Nuits d’Afrique Prize for Francophonie. This distinction was presented to her this Monday, the day after her electrifying performance which closed the festival, attracting hundreds of spectators impatient to see the performance of the one nicknamed the “Queen of Kompa”.