| Haiti has 16 holidays that are widely celebrated.
Many of the holidays recognize important dates in Haiti's history. January
1 is not only New Year's Day in Haiti, but Independence Day. On January
1, 1804, Haiti became the first black republic in the world. |
| Did
you know?
Some bands for the Rara festival
have a thousand or more members. |
|
| November 18 commemorates the Battle of Vertičres,
marking the 1803 victory of former slaves over the French. October 17 celebrates
the anniversary of the death of Jean-Jacques Dessalines in 1806. Dessalines
was a former slave who became the first leader of an independent Haiti.
Throughout Haiti, people celebrate Carnival just before the Christian season
of Lent begins. Parades and bands of masked dancers and Carnival participants
can be seen on the roads and in the streets. Music is provided by walking
bands (bandes-ŕ-pied or rabôdailles) that draw large,
chanting crowds. These bands sing songs with lyrics that make fun of local
politics. |
|
| Following Carnival is the celebration called Rara.
This celebration takes place during Lent, including the Easter weekend.
Colourfully dressed Rara bands from Voodoo societies roam the countryside
dancing, singing, beating drums and blowing homemade wind instruments.
On November 1 (All Saints Day) and November
2 (All Souls Day), louas (gods or spirits) are said to possess individuals
who practise Voodoo. These individuals roam the streets and cemeteries,
dressed to look like corpses or undertakers, dancing with everyone they
meet. As ghede (gods or spirits of the dead), they make fun of human
conceit. |
|
| January 1 |
New Year's and Independence
Day |
| January 2 |
Ancestors' Day |
| February or March |
Shrove Monday, Shrove Tuesday,
Ash Wednesday (Carnival) |
| March-April |
Good Friday, Easter |
| April 14 |
Pan-American Day |
| April-May |
Ascension Thursday |
| May 1 |
Agriculture and Labour
Day |
| May 18 |
Flag and University Day |
| May or June |
Corpus Christi |
| August 15 |
Feast of the Assumption |
| October 17 |
Anniversary of the Death
of Jean-Jacques Dessalines |
| October 24 |
United Nations Day |
| November 1 |
All Saints Day |
| November 2 |
All Souls Day |
| November 18 |
Battle of Vertičres
Day |
| December 25 |
Christmas Day |
|
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