In the heart of Leogane, Haiti, a young girl named Alice sits on the white sand beach and stares out at the endless sea before her. She loves to listen to the rhythmic sound of the waves. This is her favorite place to watch the sun slowly go down and disappear behind the horizon. When her mother was alive, she always brought her to the beach and told her stories about their Haitian heritage with a rich culture and history. She talked about how special and unique the people of Haiti are, and how they are the very first black nation to free themselves from slavery by fighting back against their oppressors.
As Alice grows older, she begins to explore her roots more deeply, diving into the vibrant music, colorful art, religion, and food with a taste of history that largely make up the Haitian culture. She also discovers the beauty of ‘vodou’ and tales of powerful spirits, the traditional beliefs of her ancestors that have been passed down through generations.
But as she delves deeper into this world, Alice realizes that there are many who seek to erase Haiti’s unique heritage, viewing it as primitive or backwards. She also learns that the forces of modern colonialism, economic exploitation, and political upheaval pose a very big threat – if not the biggest – to the traditions and practices of the Haitian people. Both inside and outside of Haiti, many have sought to suppress or erase the country’s unique identity, whether through violence, coercion, or cultural imperialism.
During one of her walks on the beach one day, she meets a young man named Alfred who feels the same passion for their shared cultural legacy. They decide to work together to showcase the beauty and richness of their beloved country’s traditions.
They go on and form a community of thinkers who work tirelessly to celebrate their heritage in the face of adversity. And when a devastating natural disaster strikes the island killing thousands, they all come together to rebuild in an effort to heal their wounded country. Seeing how unified the people are reminds Alice of that Haitian resilience and solidarity her mother often talked about.
May is Haitian Heritage Celebration Month. Every year, to celebrate Alice and her community of thinkers proudly display their country’s flag and wear the colors blue and red. They organize events, festivals, and workshops that showcase their traditions and promote cultural exchange. That’s their way of fighting back to keep Haitian traditions alive. They recognize that preserving their cultural heritage is not only a matter of pride and identity, but also a means of resisting oppression and reclaiming their power as a people.
Happy Haitian Heritage Month!
Carli