HAITI HERITAGE: The Gingerbread style, a heritage in danger

Haiti

Haiti, a majestic Caribbean island, seduces with its landscapes, vibrant culture, and a fascinating history of struggle for independence. In this comprehensive article, discover everything you need to know to appreciate the beauty and authenticity of Haiti: its geographical location, legendary history, rich culture, heavenly beaches, historical sites, unique cuisine, traditions and much more.

Guédés: When Haïti celebrates its ancestors with color and fervor

Every November 1st and 2nd, Haïti comes alive with the colors black and purple to celebrate the Guédés, spirits venerated in the voodoo religion, symbols of a powerful bond between the living and the dead. Fascinating, indomitable and provocative, the Guédés form a true family in the pantheon of Haitian voodoo, where they are respected for their role as spiritual guides of the deceased to the afterlife. Led by iconic figures such as the legendary Baron Samedi and his companion Grann Brigitte, the Guédés embody the paradoxes of life and death. Each Baron has a unique personality: Baron Cimetière, Baron Kriminel, and Baron La Croix are the guardians of the souls that wander on the borders of the world of the dead. Together, they form a powerful and somewhat frightening presence, but one that is deeply rooted in Haitian culture. The Guédés are not like other voodoo spirits; they demonstrate their fearlessness in a spectacular way. Accustomed to death, they are fearless and are provocative: they eat glass, raw peppers, and coat their sensitive parts with rum and pepper. These gestures mark their indifference to danger and remind us that they have already known earthly life. They are thus psychopomps – these beings who lead the souls of the dead – and act as bridges between the world of the living and that of the dead. Some Guédés, like Guédé Nibo, wear black, purple, and white clothing, each with unique characteristics. They are many and varied: Guédé Fouillé, Guédé Loraj, Papa Guédé, and many others. These are the spirits who, each year, remind Haitians of the importance of remembering and honoring the deceased. The cult of the Guédés is not only religious; it is also cultural and historical. According to tradition, their spiritual territory, or “Fètomè” – nicknamed the “Country without Hats” – is a place where the souls of ancestors reside. According to stories, the origins of this cult go back to the Abomey plateau, the ancient capital of the kingdom of Dahomey, in Africa, where death and life coexist in a form of symbiosis. This celebration in Haïti even finds echoes in ancient history. The Romans also honored their dead with the “Fête des Lémuria”, which took place in February, to ward off spirits and restore peace between the world of the living and that of the deceased. For Haitians, honoring the Guédés is about accepting death as a part of life and celebrating the invisible bonds that unite us with those who have left us. It is also a way of resisting, because life, despite its challenges, must be celebrated in all its complexity and depth.

And if you were Chef Leen, what dish would you choose to showcase Haiti?

Cheffe Leen! A name that’s been making the rounds on social media in recent weeks! And for good reason: the Haitian chef represented Haïti in the Guinness World Records in an extraordinary culinary competition. This challenge consisted of cooking for eight days non-stop, a bold way to showcase the richness of Haitian cuisine. It was in France, more precisely at the Anba Le Pont restaurant, located in Saint-Denis, that Leen Excellent embarked on this exceptional adventure. Starting on Monday, April 7, 2025, she cooked non-stop for nine consecutive days, totaling 187 hours of actual cooking time (after deducting statutory breaks). A historic achievement, combining endurance, passion, and cultural pride. So, if you were Chef Leen, what would be the first dish you would cook to represent Haitian cuisine to the world? The Haïti Wonderland editorial team asked a few readers this question: some readily answered white rice with pea and vegetable sauce, which they call GOAT. Others opted for a good lalo, a tasty pye kochon stew, a good tchaka, or even the famous morning rice. Given this diversity, I’ve chosen to present each dish mentioned in the survey over the weeks.

Emmanuel Joseph, a Haitian Thinker at the Crossroads of Ethics and Law

Originally from Bainet and raised in Petit-Goâve, Haiti, Emmanuel Joseph embodies one of the rising figures of the Haitian intelligentsia. A jurist, ethicist, and Ph.D. candidate in philosophy at the University of Sherbrooke (Canada), his journey reflects a rigorous commitment to justice, human rights, and critical thinking. Local Roots, Global Outlook Educated in Haiti’s public and religious schools, Emmanuel Joseph began his intellectual path at the Apostolic School of Petit-Goâve, then excelled at the Lycée Faustin Soulouque. His grades, consistently between 8 and 9 out of 10, demonstrated remarkable discipline and rigor from an early age. His university education began at the Faculty of Ethnology (FE) and the Faculty of Law and Economics (FDSE) of the State University of Haiti, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in November 2013. His academic profile sharpened in Canada, especially at the University of Quebec in Rimouski (UQAR), where he completed a master’s degree in philosophy/ethics in 2020, before pursuing a Ph.D. at the University of Sherbrooke, focusing on a broad yet fundamental theme: humanitarian action as experience.

The festival Haïti Monde: When Culture Becomes an Act of Reparation

The Haïti Monde Festival is a major cultural event dedicated to promoting Haitian thought, memory, and creativity in the heart of Paris. Led for several years by Haitian intellectual Chadrac Charles and his team, it aims to be a space for expression, transmission, and reflection. In 2025, this fourth edition is organized around a theme that is more relevant than ever: “Repairing the World,” and will take place from June 25 to July 11 in the French capital. Gaël Octavia, winner of the 2025 Goncourt Prize for the short story, will be the guest of honor. Alongside her, other friends of the Haitian cause and powerful voices from the Haitian literary scene will be gathered. Among them: geographer Jean-Marie Théodat, Louis-Philippe Dalembert, Rocé, Mélissa Laveaux, Marie-Yemta Moussanang, Makenzy Orcel, Françoise Vergès, Lyonel Trouillot, Nicolas Idier, Nathania Périclès, Vladimir Delva, Sandra Dessalines, Claude Saturne, Kébert Bastien, Jude Joseph... and many others. A tribute will also be paid to Frankétienne and Anthony Phelps, two giants of Haitian literature who passed away this year.

Why Haïti is called that? Discover its origin

Haiti, a name that resonates in world history and culture, finds its roots in a rich and iconic past. This word is not simply a country name; it embodies an identity, a unique geography, and a struggle for freedom. Let’s dive into the origin and meaning of the word “Haiti” to better understand why this choice is deeply significant.