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A Journey to the Heart of Pre-Columbian Heritage: A Look Back at the Arawak, Tainos, Ciboney Survival EventHaïti
A Journey to the Heart of Pre-Columbian Heritage: A Look Back at the Arawak, Tainos, Ciboney Survival Event
Haïti
  • December 11, 2024
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A Journey to the Heart of Pre-Columbian Heritage: A Look Back at the Arawak, Tainos, Ciboney Survival Event

On December 5, 2024, the Emmanuel Charlemagne Municipal Cultural Center opened its doors for an unforgettable day dedicated to the history and memory of the pre-Columbian peoples of Haïti and the Caribbean. Entitled "Arawak, Tainos, Ciboney Survival", this cultural initiative brought together enthusiasts, researchers and the curious in an atmosphere rich in discoveries and emotions.

An Enlightening and Inspiring Conference

An Enlightening and Inspiring Conference

From 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., passionate experts and students captivated the audience by addressing various themes:
- The origins of the Arawaks, Tainos and Ciboneys.
- Their way of life, beliefs and social organization.
- The aftermath of colonization and the transmission of their heritage in contemporary societies.

Moderated by Clénèse César, the interventions of Steeve Antoine and Niensky M. Metelus were particularly praised for their depth and clarity.

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A Lasting Impact

A Lasting Impact

For Steeve Antoine, curator of the exhibition, the event marked a turning point:

This activity revealed the importance of preserving the memory of pre-Columbian peoples, while inspiring younger generations to get involved in the valorization of this heritage. These initiatives not only strengthen our national identity, but also our position as a cultural crossroads of the Caribbean.

A Promising Future for Collective Memory

A Promising Future for Collective Memory

The event "Survivance Arawak, Taïnos, Ciboney" paved the way for an essential cultural and educational movement. He recalled that the legacy of these peoples is not limited to artifacts or historical narratives, but continues to live through our practices, beliefs, and collective identity.

By celebrating this legacy, Haïti affirms its role as guardian of a precious memory, inviting the world to recognize the importance of pre-Columbian roots in the history of the Americas and beyond.

The Republic of the Stateless?

Haïti is making headlines all over the world. And it’s not good news. The exploits of Haitians rarely generate so much interest, but we always tend to point out the excesses, spill ink to stir up thorns in the side, broadcast on loop to relay the chaos that is raging. There is hardly any media to make amends for the resilience of this cornered people. No one to highlight the fierce resistance that serves as fuel for this people hanging in the gorges of death. And what if it was to a certain extent the only way to talk about this country to finally attract attention? It is July 26, 2024. The Olympic Games have just started in France. The 33rd Olympiad of modern times. Without realizing it, according to Forbes Magazine, Haïti ranks among the ten nations with the best costume, proudly pointing to third place. At the same time, miles away from France, on “The Island of Skillfully Orchestrated Chaos,” Haitians do not even realize how much this recognition borders on irony. A paradox whose unpopular evocation is likely to greatly displease. An aerial image shows the city of Paris in all its splendor, illuminated like the gates of paradise, reflecting all the grandeur of France, all the magnificence it has acquired over the centuries, without forgetting the contribution of the blood shed by the horrible machine of colonization. I close my eyes, I go back in time, I see again this boy left to his own devices, lost without even knowing it, doomed to failure without even understanding it. And then there are the others. Boys in the same situation, or worse. Banished from society, they do not know what life has in store for them. They form the elegant class of the marginalized, in their quality of scoundrels, good-for-nothings, and thugs who spoil the splendor of society. This contrast challenges me, and I wonder for a moment if those who live the chaos from the outside grasp the stakes and the reality of the situation. Moreover, it seems to me that even the majority of Haitians living in the territory have no notion of the fundamental and essential aspects of the situation.

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Appolon Guy Alain

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First black nation to free itself from slavery and gain independence from France in 1804 and influenced other liberation movements around the world, inspiring struggles for freedom and equality.

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Haïti is blessed with spectacular natural landscapes, including white sand beaches, mountains and rich biodiversity.

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Haïti has a rich historical heritage, including sites like the Citadelle Laferrière and the Sans-Souci Palace, listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

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Haïti has a rich and diverse culture, influenced by African, European and indigenous elements. Haitian music, dance, art and cuisine are celebrated around the world.