GRIOTS REPUBLIC | AN URBAN BLACK TRAVEL MAG | MAY 2016 by Griots Republic

WHERE THERE'S TRAVEL, THERE'S A STORY

HAITI

SAK PASE

THE AFTER SHOCKS

NICK SMITH

KONPA DANCING L'UNION SUITE

LAKOU MIZIK VOODOO, CARNIVAL & REDEMPTION: THE SOUNDTRACK OF HAITI'S REVIVAL

MAY 2016 | ISSUE 05

ISSUE CONTRIBUTORS

SWANZETA NCIWENI

SHANITA HUBBARD

WANDA TIMA-GILLES

WILKINE BRUTUS

SONY LAVENTURE

REGINE ROUMAIN

RICHARD CONTAVE

STEPHANIE DIETZ

RAQUEL WANZO

JEREMIAH MEYERS

SEBASTIEN ROC

PATRICE ELESSIE

SUNDAY

MAY 2016 T H R O U G H

THURSDAY

JUNE 2016

SELEBRASYON! | LIBÈTE/FREEDOM NEW YORK’S CELEBRATION OF HAITIAN ART & CULTURE

Haiti Cultural Exchange is proud to announce our Second Biennial Selebrasyon! a festival of Haitian art and culture, showcasing the diversity, beauty and vitality of Haiti and its Diaspora – from the traditional to the modern. WWW.HAITICULTURALX.ORG FOR THE SCHEDULE

Archivists Note We’ve been planning this issue since the beginning of the year. We had our dates down, our bags packed, interviews booked and slowly but surely one issue after another crept up until our entire trip to Haiti was officially cancelled. Like everything else with this magazine, this was a first for us. How do you capture the essence of a country with no boots on the ground? The answer: through its people. In a worldwind effort to chase down the band on the cover, Lakou Mizik, hire writers, videographers, transcribers, translators and the multitude of people it takes to cultivate 102 solid pages of a country where you don’t speak the language, we learned several things. First and foremost, we need more friends like Chef Lemaire (#1) who are honest, knowledgable about concepts like “flavor profiles” and quick to point out the best foods to eat in their home countries. I gained 10 pounds just reading his Q&A. You have been warned. Second thing, we need to up our fashion and wardrobe game! If the folk we talked to are any indication of Haitian style, then we are slacking painfully. Take Gardy Guerrier (#2), for instance. This brother showed up at his shoot so fly that I almost went home and changed. He’s fashionable, whip smart and passionate about sharing Haiti through his lens and you guys will enjoy his profile. Last, but not least, we learned that although language might be barrier in video production it absolutely does not hamper communication of the spirit. We tracked down Lakou Mizik in Denver and their sound, their story and energy deeply resonated with us. If you have the opportunity to see them in concert, then we recommend going! Overall, we are chalking this issue up as a positive. The truth of the mattter is that if we hadn’t gotten the opportunity to listen to these stories or read about this history prior to visiting, our trip to Haiti would have been much different. We now feel enlightened, prepared and excited to see and eat the things covered in this month’s issue. THE ARCHIVISTS

READING LIST

HAITI BOUND From Classics to Coming Soon These are the Haitian Authors and Books to Add to Your Collection. By Rodney Goode

Have a book suggestion? Hop on our Facebook page and let folks know.

*** Publisher’s Description

For several months, Quebec illustrator Roge prepared a series of portraits of Haitian children. Students of Camp Perrin wrote the accompanying poems, which create, with flowing consistency, Haiti, my country.

Placing the West’s failure to acknowledge the most successful slave revolt in history alongside denials of the Holocaust and the debate over the Alamo, MichelRolph Trouillot offers a stunning meditation on how power operates in the making and recording of history in Silencing The Past: Power and The Production of History. **

Reflecting the chaos of disaster and its aftermath, God Loves Haiti switches between time periods and locations, yet always moves closer to solving the driving mystery at its center: Will the artist Natasha Robert reunite with her one true love, the injured Alain Destiné, and live happily ever after? God Loves Haiti is an homage to a lost time and city, and the people who embody it. **

These teenaged poets use the Haitian landscape as their easel. The nature that envelops them is quite clearly their main subject. **

One of the best books written by Haitian author, Edwidge Dandicat and certainly one that will remain on your list of favorites is “The Dew Breaker.” Not only is the story complex and multi-layered, it is confusing (in a good way), poignant, and thought provoking.That’s why we read novels isn’t it? The story delves into the relationships between the main character, Ka, and her parents. How does one reconcile the feelings for a father who was a member of the Tonton Macoutes, a feared group of volunteer enforcers who tortured and killed thousands of civilians under the regimes Francois and Jean-Claude Duvalier in Haiti and a mother who marries him with the realization that he was the murderer of her brother? The reader must be prepared to be confounded and shocked to the point where the book may have to be put down in order to seriously think through what was just read.

IG PHOTO OF THE MONTH BY PATRICE ELESSIE (@NAJAH_ELESSIE)

Feb 23 2016 changed my life. I embarked on a journey of faith. I wanted to take a trip that completely allowed me to rely on God. I prayed, and Haiti was the outcome. I bought a ticket, packed a bag and headed to a place Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve never been. I had no idea how God would show up, but I knew he would. I decided I wanted to volunteer at the local medical center with Mission of Grace. I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to ride in a car, I wanted to walk and meet the people of this country. I grabbed water and a backpack and started walking through the small village of

Carries. While walking, I saw so much; homes made out of brick and stone and I realized they had no addresses. I saw goats, chickens and children - lots of children. I wanted to keep my heart open as I embraced not only the amazing culture, but the differences in what was valued. As I got closer to my destination, I saw a man in the distance. From far away he looked disheveled; clothes dirty and tattered, no shoes on his feet

and wrinkles in his skin that told a story of perseverance. As I walked closer to him he smiled. Wow. I’ll never forget his smile. It was peaceful and full of light, as if he never had a care in the world. I stopped and he spoke to me. To my surprise he spoke English. He asked my name and told me his, Elaine. We chatted for a while and before I left he asked me for something... not money, not any shoes, or clothing. No, he simply asked, “Can you pray with me?” My heart was so full and so happy. I immediately said, “Of course,” grabbed his hand and began to pray. In that moment, I realized that I didn’t need to ask God to change his life but to change mine. To allow me to see the light in others. To allow me to have gratitude daily for the little things I have. I needed God to let me be like this man... at peace. As I said “Amen,” he opened his eyes, looked at me with tears and said, “Thank you!” I captured this picture before speaking to him thinking he needed some type of medical help; not knowing that he was in better spirits than I. I entitled the picture “Never Judge a Book By its Cover.”

REMEMBRANCE

APRIL 21, 2016 The World Says "Goodbye" to a Music Icon Prince Rogers Nelson By Raquel Wanzo On April 21, 2016, the world mourned the passing of the iconic R&B, Pop musician, singer, actor and producer, Prince Rogers Nelson, 57. Prince’s musical and social contributions spawned worldwide fans. In the days since his passing, mourners around the world have expressed sorrow. In a heartfelt tribute to Prince, U2 frontman, Bono, posted on Twitter an excerpt from Sign O’Times: “U2 never met Mozart. . . But I met Prince-Bono.” Madonna, who once had a long-standing feud with the pop-star expressed on Instagram the kind of incredulous grief many mourners felt: “He Changed The World!! A True Visionary. What a loss. I’m Devastated.” Prince, the talented genius, is living on through academics as well. His music is being explored and studied in academia. In an interview with The World Post, historian Dr. Vashna Jagamath of Rhodes University in Grahamstown, South Africa, suggests that “Prince the body, the spirit, and the artist... has always been indefinable. This inability to define him... meant that it was impossible to limit him and his full humanity.”

Specifically, she uses “Paisley Park” to teach about “the decimation of the cotton industry in India.” Prince in the classroom should come as no surprise as his lyrics, which often times blurred the lines between sexuality and spirituality as well as challenged political and social ideologies, could easily be morphed into teaching tools. In July 2001, I had the pleasure of visiting 8115 Vilakazi Street, the former Soweto home of Winnie and Nelson. It is now a national museum: Mandela House. As I wait to enter, I notice a familiar synth riff ringing in my ears followed by equally familiar lyrics: I said life is just a game, we’re all just the same, do you want to play. . . Controversy. I turn and a young man, dancing on the corner shouts out, “My sister, we love Prince here. We love our beautiful black brothers and sisters from America, please tell more to come, come and see us. There is no controversy here.” Although gone, Prince is sure to never be forgotten as his music will live on and gain new fans stateside and abroad. To be sure, no controversy indeed.

5 GLOBAL GIFTS

FIRST CLASS FAVORITES By Alexandra Stewart

So we’re shoppers too. It’s an unfortunate addiciton that we just can’t break and the more we travel the more things we see and crave! If your travel fund is low, then bypass this page! We aren’t here to keep you off the road. But if you have a little extra coin or you haven’t picked up that Mother’s Day gift yet, then jump into this month’s first class favorites.

1 - BucketFeet Canvas Shoes These limited edition shoes are created by artists from all over the globe. Each pair displays a unique and personal story from the artist that created it. Where normally a specially designed pair of shoes like these will run you well into the hundreds, you can find shoes on BucketFeet for as low as $54. Men, women & kids available in an array of sizes. $49-$148 www.bucketfeet.com

2 - Leather Charger Roll Up Transport your chargers in style with this chic leather carrying case. Simply store your cables and chargers in any one of the 3 pockets, roll up and secure with the leather tie closure. Probably the best part... you can have it monogrammed for free! - $49

www.markandgraham.com

3 - Wine Chilling Wands Chill & be chill with these super cool wine chilling wands. Just keep these pre-chilled in the freezer until you are ready to use. Pop them in a glass of wine and you will have a nicely chilled glass of wine in minutes! No more waiting hours to get your drink on while your wine chills to the proper temperature in the ‘fridge. Comes in a set of 2. - $39.95 www. williams-sonoma.com

4 - Handwoven Infinity Scarf This is not your typical infinity scarf. This unisex masterpiece is handcrafted in Ethiopia with leather and gold clasps accents to give it that extra pop! Comes in a variety of colors perfect for this spring and summer season. - $65 www.zaafcollection.com

5 - Rachael Ray 5.5 Gallon ChillOut Tote After the mistaken identity hell folk put her through... The Bee Hive should probably buy up everything in her arsenal as a blanket “our bad.” But I digress.

\Spring is here and summer is fast approaching! Make your life easier this picnic and barbeque season with this Rachael Ray Chillout Tote. Constructed of SuperFoam™ insulation plus Therma-Flect® radiant barrier technology, you won’t have to worry about hot foods going cold or cold foods warming up with this leak proof, easy to clean tote. Comes in a variety of sizes and colors - $17.95-$19.95 www.rachaelraystore.com. That’s it for now! I will be in full Music Fest swing next month. So check back! GRIOTS REPUBLIC

LET'S GET MENTAL G

riots Republic had the distinct opportunity to sit down and discuss the life and travels of Gentamu Mcinney, who at the time of the interview was preparing to leave for Cannes, France to discuss her documentary, a very intimate and personal view of her journey alongside her mother, as she dealt with her mom’s mental illness.

According to the Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health, African Americans are 20% more likely to experience serious mental health problems than the general population. Common mental health disorders among African Americans include: •Major depression •Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) •Suicide, among young African American men •Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), because African Americans are more likely to be victims of violent crime Website: www.nami.org

Griots Republic (GR): Tell us about yourself. My name is Gentamu McKinney, Gentamu is Kenyan, which means gentle and sweet; one who brings life, joy and laughter into the world. I’m from the Oakland/Berkley Bay area and I always knew I was pre-wired to do something to support our community. My father, Gene Mckinney, was one of the original members of the Black Panther Party and worked closely with the founder, Huey Newton. I have a Bachelors Degree from Clark Atlanta University and a Masters Degree in Public Health Administration with an emphasis on Healthcare Mgmt. from the Keller Graduate School of Management in Long Beach California. I own a non-profit organization: Awareness After Dark which combines Community Health issues with entertainment. I combined it to get buy-in, help people relax and give them something beyond a pamphlet. I also have a travel business named Work and Travel. I see a lot of travel organizations who go on trips and take from the world, but don’t give back. So we want to do things differently to ensure we leave a mark on everywhere we go. GR: Tell us about your documentary and its inspiration. I was in a boring meeting and was thinking about what I could do that would bring me more satisfaction, knowing I wanted to do something around mental health.

“In the African American community, family, community and spiritual beliefs tend to be great sources of strength and support. However, research has found that many African Americans rely on faith, family and social communities for emotional support rather than turning to health care professionals, even though medical and/or therapeutic treatment may be necessary.” Website: www.nami.org

Two years ago, on a normal day, my grandmother told me to go check on my mother because she wasn’t acting right. I simply thought she was having a bad day and was tripping and would get it together. But the next day, I go to check on her and when I went to her place, I knew immediately something was different. The rooms were dark and she was very standoffish which is uncharacteristic because she always wants to hug me when she first sees me and me being the child, I’m like you know, get away from me but, it was obviously absent this time. She didn’t want to be touched and went from being a child to being paranoid and angry (so many personalities in 15 minutes). Being in the field, her behavior is what I began to watch. She was no longer my mother but instead my patient. At first, I considered perhaps she had fallen off the wagon after 13 years in recovery, but her behavior was such that I didn’t feel safe. One time she even charged at me. It was then I thought she would try to kill me (or herself) and I would be forced to protect myself. I absolutely could not leave her because of the suicidal twist to some of the conversation, so I called an ambulance.

They checked her vitals, etc. and chose to take her to emergency to rule out injury or sickness. We had to find out what was going on. Tests came back clear with no drug or physical illness so, it was clear there was some mental illness going on here and it was this that led her back to drug and alcohol abuse. So many people who are addicts, numb themselves or self-medicate with substance abuse. We are so often uneducated about mental health issues in our community that we only see the addiction. In our community, no one talks about mental illness, but I noticed when I started talking about it, others would talk about their experiences with it too. It broke me in so many ways. Financially… I took my savings and cashed in a few favors and decided to put together a mental health event. We hosted 2 big Edutainment events replete with appetizers and drinks and we took the opportunity to highlight famous people who suffered from mental health issues in an effort to show people that it is not all that uncommon and that we need to demystify it. I shot my documentary in my living room and at first; I didn’t want to be on camera. I interviewed everybody else and ensured I was the last person and I never expected it to be this big. Emotionally… wow. I was telling everyone about something so close and private that I felt exposed. Even now, I’m doing this interview in tears because it still is so vivid and part of my everyday life. GR: Tell us about Cannes. I want other folks to see it, but I do not want to make money from it. I just want people to see it and if there is any financial gain, it’s

to further the cause. It’s too personal and I would not want to gain personally from it. At first, I was told my documentary was too short, so I asked one of my friends and he sat down and looked at it and told me I could submit it. He showed me how to do it, so I submitted it the Pan-African Film Festival and I claimed I was going to Cannes and I am now on my way!

“Historically, African Americans have been and continue to be negatively affected by prejudice and discrimination in the health care system. Misdiagnoses, inadequate treatment and lack of cultural competence by health professionals breed distrust and prevent many African Americans from seeking or staying in treatment.” Website: www.nami.org

GR: Let’s talk travel and mental health. Oh, I get travel and mental health! When you even talk about cabin fever, that has a link to mental well-being. It’s real. There are a lot of stresses in the world that could lead to mental illness and travel vacations can be a huge supplement to mitigate mental health. You need that all women trip, that all men trip or that family trip to relax and unwind and to build the relationships that will help you sustain and maintain your mental well-being in your normal day in and day out. Romantic trips are important as well as that feeds one of the basic human needs; the need to receive and give love. One of my mental health events even boasts a “man cave” where the male mental health workers and the male attendees interact and discuss issues that impact the health and mental well-being of African American men (privately). I add that because African American men do not embrace therapy as easily as women do, so it’s important to provide them with a safe environment where they can explore and get a good understanding

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TRAVEL INWARD of the issues that impact his mental health. Now men do some of those things at the barbershop or at sporting events, but rarely in a controlled clinical environment. GR: Give us three (3) ways travel can help mental health. A simple change of scenery can do wonders for your mental health! Traveling and giving back (volunteer work) will put you in a totally different mental space. It will make you feel good about yourself and what you are contributing to the world and give you a better appreciation for what you have. Traveling will give you that time and space to look at your life; to self-evaluate. It gives you time to look at your job, your life and gives you an opportunity to clean up. GR: Thank you, Gentamu, for your honesty and your work in the community. We look forward to seeing your documentary and watching your progresss and subsequent success.

------------------ABOUT MCKINNEY’S FILM

It is real. It is everywhere. It is here. The pervasiveness of mental illness is a human experience inside of which many live. It crosses cultures and touches all aspects of our lives, both directly and indirectly, both consciously and unconsciously. The haunting reality of mental illness leaves no room for denial, yet it goes denied and often missed inside the Black community. Secrets. Shame. Stigma. These are the barriers, the very things that close doors that need to be open. Awareness After Dark creates the room and space to discuss matters surrounding mental health at the intersection of the oft-silent reality of “it” and the Black experience.

HAITI CULTURAL EXCHANGE SET TO KICKOFF

SELEBRASYON! 2016 WRITTEN BY: RÉGINE M. ROUMAIN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, HAITIAN CULTURAL EXCHANGE

February 7, 1986 marked the 30 year anniversary of the fall of the brutal Duvalier dictatorship in Haiti. This dictatorship resulted in the exile and massive migration of Haitians to the United States, creating one of the largest Haitian Diaspora communities, many of whom are located in our home base of Brooklyn, New York. These individuals formed strong networks through the establishment of community groups, local media, and artist collectives. They built professional careers, raised families, and became an integral part of the fabric of New York City, while remaining tied to their country, its culture, and traditions. This Spring, Haiti Cultural Exchange builds on our seven-year track record of creating innovative, inter-disciplinary, and dialogue-centered programming to present Selebrasyon! 2016: FREEDOM/LIBETE. This two-month festival of Haitian arts & culture brings together over thirty emerging, mid-career and established artists from Haiti and its vast Diaspora, who will present their work in a number of community and main-stage venues throughout NYC. The theme highlights the revolutionary spirit of the Haitian people, movements of resistance, and the ongoing opportunities and challenges of FREEDOM. Through Selebrasyon!, artists and diverse communities come together to experience Haitian culture, its creative foundations, and its powerful legacy. I am thrilled that we are able to present Haiti-based artists such as Lakou Mizik, a collective of musicians bringing new life into Haitian roots music; renowned author Yanick Lahens; and visual artist Nathalie Jolivert. We will also feature Boston-based Jean Appolon Dance Expressions’ ground-breaking piece on homophobia, Angaje and an exclusive sneak peak of Guetty Felin’s film, Ayiti Mon Amour. Selebrasyon! will also be a springboard for the inaugural cohort of our Lakou NOU Artist Residents -- Sabine Blaizin, Shirley St. Fort Davilmar, Okai Fleurimont and Veroneque Ignace who will be creating community-based arts programming in four Brooklyn neighborhoods: Canarsie, Crown Heights, East Flatbush and Flatbush. We are thankful for the generous support of the many individuals, sponsors and partners who have joined us in this effort. Mèsi Anpil! We look forward to presenting Selebrasyon! 2016 and to bringing some of our most talented and pioneering artists to the forefront of New York City’s cultural scene.

Must Go Events For a complete list visit haiticulturalx.org

LAKOU MIZIK DATE/TIME: Friday, May 6th | 8pm LOCATION: BRIC House Ballroom 647 Fulton St | Brooklyn, NY 11217 $20 in Advance | $23 at Door

Krik? Krak! Storytelling & Songs DATE/TIME: Saturday, June 18th | 2pm LOCATION: East 43rd Street Block Association Community Garden 1087 E 43rd Street | Brooklyn, NY_

Tribute to Vivianne Gauthier DATE/TIME: May 21st at 7pm | May 22nd at 2pm LOCATION: Harlem School of the Arts 645 St Nicholas Ave | New York, NY 10030 $20 in Advance | $25 at Door

Selebrasyon! Taste of Haiti DATE/TIME: Thursday, June 30th | 6-11pm LOCATION: Bergâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;n 899 Bergen St. | Brooklyn, NY 11238

SAK PASE

From Lalo with Beef to Calalou "Gombo": A Q&A with Chef Alain Lemaire to Find Out What's Up with Haitian Cuisine.

•

GR: Tell us about your background -

Where you grew up and at what age did you discover your love of cooking?

I was born and raised in Port-au- Prince, Haiti. My parents built a house in Delmas and we moved there when I was 10. I started playing around in the kitchen at an early age, maybe around 7 or 8 just out of curiosity and sheer desire to feed myself and friends. The passion didn’t come along not until later when I was maybe 16. GR: What or who first inspired you to step into the kitchen? I didn’t grow up with a mentor or inspiration per se. If I were to say someone inspired me, I would say it was my mom and the

other ladies I grew up around. No one literally held my hands or guided me in the kitchen. I learned the majority of the things I knew at the time from observation and duplication. GR: Tell us about your food and cooking style - What are your favorite dishes to cook? In what ways do you infuse Haitian culture into your food? How do you put your own spin on traditional dishes? My style of cooking which is reflected in my catering business is international cuisine with a Caribbean flair. I love to recreate your traditional or your everyday dishes from various countries and add some major twists to them. The whole idea is to incorporate the flavor profiles and the flairs you would pick up in the islands, especially

Haiti, in each dish. A good example would be a griot dumpling with a sour-orange soy glaze and bamboo shoot pikliz. This is a pure fusion of Haitian and Asian Cuisine/Flavors (HaiSian). I don’t have a favorite dish that I like to cook. Au contraire I have a favorite food category/type which is seafood. GR: What difficulties or challenges have you encountered throughout your career? Can I be totally honest and open? Well, I am Haitian, and I have an accent. That alone was the source of some major challenges I had to encounter. The industry has been for a long time dominated by white males. So you can understand that no matter how talented you were or the amount of knowledge you had, you didn’t matter. A friend of mine, Saruh, said in her book “Behind the Kitchen Doors”: “when you walk in most kitchens, the further you go in, the darker it gets.’ And that is the honest truth. Things have changed these days, just a little but it doesn’t mean it stopped. So I had to prove to the culinary world, and even more to myself that I belonged as much as anyone else, if not more. I have been using that fuel as motivation for the last 16 years and I haven’t stopped yet. GR: What dish would you recommend as a “must-eat” dish for the first time visitor to Haiti? Hmmm, there are so many. But if I could narrow it down for a first time visitor, I would say try the real “fritay”. Not that watered down, commercialized thing you find state-side. Go to Kenscoff or Montrouis just to name a few. GR: What dish would you recommend for an experienced traveler that wanted to take their Haitian culinary experience to the next level? For an experienced traveler, try some lalo with

beef, crab, shrimp or calalou gombo. Go to the local bakeries and try our sweets, I mean try them all! GR: How has traveling changed your perception of the world and the people in it? How has it affected your tastes or the dishes you create? First of all, you cannot be in this industry and not be well versed or opened to experience dishes from different cultures. You will be a one dimensional cook. I have been fortunate enough to travel since I was two. So I was always around people from different backgrounds and cultures.

“When you walk in most kitchens, the further you go in, the darker it gets.” And that is the honest truth. Georgia on June 26.

Now, traveling from the perspective of a chef has played a huge part in my life and career. It opened the doors to experience food from a different perspective, the doors to a plethora of flavors, the doors to change my view of food, the use of flavors and ingredients. Thus playing a major role in my style of cooking.

Brooklyn is on the horizon for July but nothing set in stone yet. And I am praying that the second season of the cooking show “Le Chef” out of Haiti comes out during the summer. I am currently working on a Culinary e-book, and continuing my cooking shows on YouTube.

GR: What part of the globe is at the top of your wish list to visit? What are you most looking forward to eating there?

GR: Thank you for allowing Griots Republic to feature you in our Haiti Issue. Do you have any final thoughts for our readers?

Asia has to be top of my list, bar none. The entire continent, every single country China, Japan, Korea, Philippines etc... There is something about the food, the culture, and the people that is so captivating and fascinating. I would love to spend an entire summer touring, learning and cooking over there.

Thank you for the interview, means a lot to be able to share a little about myself with the readers. Final thought has to be “believe in yourself.”

GR: Please tell us about your upcoming projects and where our readers can find you. I will be at the Taste of Dallas in Dallas Texas from June 3rd to 5th. I will be the guest chef at a popup dinner in Atlanta

___

For more information about Chef Alain Lemaire and his catering and consulting company, or television appearances please visit www.cheflemaire.com

Gardy V. Guerrier, founder of Haiti Got it, a first generation Haitian American, is on a mission to show Haiti to the world as he sees it. A country with not only a footnote in history as the first black republic to gain its independence or the victim of a earthquake, but as a modern day wonderland of beautiful beaches, high mountains, and historical hidden treasures. Gardy Guerrier, with a successful background as an image consultant, fashion columnist, event planner, philanthropist, and world traveler, has leveraged all his acquired skills into one goal, making Haiti the destination where dreams are made. After the catastrophic 2010 magnitude 7.0 earthquake that struck his ancestral homeland of Haiti, effecting an estimated three million people, Mr. Guerrier and other caring influencers banded together to produce a series of fundraisers across the United States for the aide and rebuilding of Haiti. As well as collaborating on the creation, production, and distribution of the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Haiti is Meâ&#x20AC;? PSA to raise awareness and keep an attentive eye on the ongoing issues that effect Haiti outside of the earthquake from education, to infrastructure, and agricultural development. To Learn More About Haiti Got It, Visit www.HaitiGotIt.com.

BLOGGER OF THE MONTH BY: WANDA TIMA-GILLES (L`UNION SUITE)

’m Haitian so it shouldn’t be a surprise that I love traveling to Haiti right? But it actually is. Five years ago I was a typical Haitian living in America and had never been to Haiti. Like many people who watch the news and hear about the poor conditions in Haiti, although I was dying to go, Haiti was never at the top of any of my family or friend’s list of places to visit. So I couldn’t find a traveling buddy to

accompany me. In 2011 after researching and archiving pictures of Haiti and its history, I decided to create a blog that would teach and connect other Haitian- Americans who felt disconnected in the same way I did growing up. The more my blog developed the more my love for Haiti’s colorful and vibrant culture grew into a passion for my country. I knew no one would be able to keep me from traveling there. These days, you can’t keep me out of the county. I’m in Haiti every chance I get and I’ve explored everything from the beach, the very high mountain hikes, the delicious food to the music and the annual events, like Kanaval. When I’m in Haiti I feel at home, waking up to the roosters crowing in the country or the wheels from room service delivering delicious soup joumou to my hotel room in Port-auPrince. Haiti is an adventure I just can’t seem to get enough of.

What I love about Haiti is the rich culture, the art, the artisans, the fresh coffee made in Haiti, the delicious and authentic Haitian cuisine, just typing the word “cuisine” made me hungry for some Pate Kode or Mais Moulin, the underrated and sometimes hidden paradise people are missing out on because they choose to listen to the media instead of exploring this beautiful Caribbean island.

The hospitality in unlike any place I’ve ever been, the warm smiles from the woman selling fruits on the side of the road, the double cheek kiss when you greet someone, the bright Bonjour from the employee serving large plates of seafood on the beach, the waves and hello by the families as you hike 3 hours into the mountains, to the gentlemen on mini boats delivering conch and lobster to you in the middle of the ocean, people are genuinely kind and welcoming. With only three years of traveling to Haiti under my belt, I am happy I took the leap and took my first trip to Haiti in 2013 and have motivated many others to do the same. With so many people hoping they can take some of my trips with me, in 2016 I started my “Haiti through my eyes” vlog series. I hope you will take the next few journeys to my paradise island with me.

Wanda Tima-Gilles is Haitian-Turks Islander who grew up in South Florida not having much knowledge of Haiti or Haitian Culture. She is full-time wife, marketing director and blogger at Lâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;union Suite. Lâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;union Suite is a Haitian-American lifestyle, tourism, culture, society and entertainment blog site on the Internet. The site features exclusive interviews, the latest music, red carpet events and up-to-date information on Haiti, Haitian community leaders, entertainers, humanitarians and business and more. Since launching in 2011, Lâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;union Suite has attracted over 1 million visitors from all over the world with over 100,000 subscribers via the site, Facebook, Instagram, Tumbler and Twitter.

UNTAPPED

HOPE Water Poverty in Haiti and How a Mission Trip Changed One Woman's Life. By Swanzeta “Swann” Nciweni

traveled to Port Au Prince, in what I consider, the moment that changed my life. When I arrived in 2012, I was overcome with heartache in the wake of the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake. The remnants of the earthquake reduced parts of Haiti to rubble. It was as if Haiti was in a downward spiral with little hope of recovery. Only two years after the destruction, there were still thousands left homeless. A short distance from the airport, I could see United Nations camps set up in attempts to maintain a secure and stable environment in the country. As I made my way through the crowd, men debated in French and Creole over who would be transportation for the arriving missions teams. My team and I gathered on a truck; the drive to the compound was long and the scene was somber. Concrete covered much of the scenery as the roads curved around the steep hills. From afar, I could see military guards protecting the wares of stores from theft. As we made our way to the Compound in Mirebalais, Haiti, we were greeted with local Haitians who welcomed our efforts to care for the sick.

On my first day, my immediate task was to help prioritize a makeshift medical clinic in Thomassique and Mirebalais. Thomassique and Mirebalais are two rural communities that have an overwhelming need for medicine for people who go regularly untreated. Our teams consisted of physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, pharmacy technicians, and dentists - all ready to address the tremendous physical needs of people in this community. People traveled from everywhere for medical assistance. From women’s health issues, hypertension, Diabetes, broken bones to the most severe health complications, like intestinal worms more commonly in children. So there I was in the heart of a ‘clinic in a tent’ triaging patient’s specific areas for care. My heart was heavy but my spirt was filled to see so many people who had waited for months for a pill that could cure what they that had been suffering from for what might have seemed like a lifetime. At times I would look into the eyes of many patients in the clinic and see people tinged with despair. “How could an already stressed country be in such

ruins,” was the question posed in my own thoughts. I saw people who had struggled with chaos, death, and destruction. Nevertheless, my conscience told me that there was more I could do. While on my trip to Haiti for medical mission’s outreach in 2012, I did not realize I would uncover a looming water crisis there. Because food insecurity and hunger are chronic illnesses in Haiti, which is also the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere and the second most densely populated, increased population coupled with economic decline are linked to extreme poverty. Subsequently, Haiti does not produce enough food crops and livestock.

sanitation were among the direst in the Western Hemisphere. Expenses created problems with water availability. I was no stranger to hearing that the people of Haiti often resort to gathering water from garbage-filled rivers to supply their households with water. Haiti was not just facing a medical crisis, but a water crisis in the pipeline. Typhoid, Cholera and Chronic

be used for bathing and washing. I was in disbelief that Haiti, some 800 miles off the coast of Florida, had people on the brink of a water disaster. I decided that my first water-well project would be in Haiti. Armed with a heart of humanitarianism, I have been researching water scarcity in the developing world since 2006. More than 1.8 billion people around the world lack access to safe drinking water and some 2.4 billion don’t have adequate sanitation. Approximately, 3,900 children die every day from waterborne diseases and poor health; so much so, that water scarcity has become one the most contentious problems of the 21s t century.

Water stress occurs when the demand for water exceeds the available amount during a certain period or when poor quality restricts its use. Water stress causes deterioration of fresh water resources in terms of quantity (e.g aquifer over exploitation and dry rivers) and quality (e.g eutrophication, organic matter pollution and, saline intrusion).

The country imports about 60% of its food. I also learned that 40% of Haiti’s population earns less than 6% of the country’s income; the poor rely on small wages and self-employment which is crucial to their survival. Poor communities are faced with deterioration of their living conditions which forces them into survival subsistence through framing. The increase in insecurity continues as doubts that Haitians would weather the crisis and return to a country rich in culture and pride persists. As the days went on and I made friends with the Haitian people around me, I began to ask about the water conditions that were plaguing their country. Basically, ominous water shortages and

SOURCE Diarrhea amass more than half of the waterborne deaths in Haiti each year. I was also told that many of the homes in Haiti were not connected to any metropolitan or national water pipe. Tanker trucks supply water primarily to those who can afford it. Tanks installed on roofs of some homes often provide some means of access to water, but even then I was told, it can only

The water crisis is not about having too little water to satisfy our needs, it is a crisis of supply that our people and our environment are unable to handle. Agriculturally, water withdrawals for irrigation represent 66% of the total withdrawals and up to 90% in arid regions. As the per capita use increases due to changes in lifestyle and as population increases as well, the proportion of water for human use is increasing; all the more critical are the environmental perils a decreasing water supply is creating. The availability for industrial and agricultural development has a profound impact on our ecosystems and their dependent species (worldwatercoucil.org,

2016). “This, coupled with spatial and temporal variations in water availability, means that the water to produce food for human consumption, industrial processes and all the other uses is being threatened (worldwatercouncil.org, 2016). So the more water becomes scarce, the more global contention is set to intensify. From California to the Middle East, water areas are drying up and as the population nears 9 billion, there are warnings of shrinking resources according to US intelligence; ‘the world is standing on a precipice.’ But it comes down to who owns the water and who can afford to drink it. This is definitely an “oh my gosh moment.” The true shocker exists in the already water stressed regions like Haiti. The statistics are staggering.

ple by improving health and economic productivity to end the cycle of water poverty. Haiti is a community rich in culture and resilience and water filtration systems are vital to the progression of this great country. My goal is to be among the many great contributors to the revitalization of Haiti’s water infrastructure. When events that are understood to be tragic happen, it’s reasonable to ask “why?” When these events affect whole communities, it is then incumbent upon us to ask, “How could this happen and how can we help?” I am on my way. I may not be able to change the world, but my efforts to bring clean water to vulnerable communities, just might change the world for somebody.

What’s more, the Haitian water market is flooded with imported water. The situation is ten times worse for those in rural areas, where the vast majority of Haitians live. So I turned my gaze to this growing problem in hopes of helping to find ways to break the cycle of water poverty. When my mission trip ended, I vowed to return to Haiti to help with the water predicament. In 2015, after establishing Untappedhope.org, a non-profit that brings together local entrepreneurs, civil society, governments, and communities to establish innovative, collaborative solutions for sustainable water resources, I contacted my friends in Haiti to tell them that I intended to make good on my promise. My organization is now raising money to build a water well in Ona-Ville, Haiti. Since my trip to Haiti in 2012, the people, their culture, their persistence and their pride have been near and dear to my heart. Even though I saw devastation, I also saw people emerge with stories of incredible acts of kindness, sacrifice, heroism, pride and survival; all arising from one of the world’s greatest natural disasters. My impassioned plea to help the people of Haiti is that I will be able to contribute my time and efforts to helping create access to clean water in rural communities. In August 2016, my team and I will travel to OnaVille, Haiti, prepared to help the local community along with an onsite ministry, build a small community water well. The probability is that we will get clean water and help transform the lives of peo-

A native of Baltimore, Maryland, “Swann” has devoted much of her life to addressing the issues surrounding access to resources for the under-served. Swann continues to be an active participant in the local community advocating for human rights interventions for those without a voice. But her greatest passion has been to raise awareness for people who die every day from consuming dirty water. To learn more about Swann, her team, and her endeavours in Haiti, visit: www.UNTAPPEDHOPE.org.

RE:UNION Music Fest is a global music festival aimed to assemble the music of the African Diaspora into one unforgettable, unique experience. Hip-hop, R&B, Reggae, Kompa, Cuban, Salsa, Afrobeat, South African House, and more will be brought together on ONE stage to celebrate our narrative.

THE COUNTDOWN BEGINS 6 Weeks Left Until The Music Fest! By: Jeremiah Meyers

L et the Countdown Begin! We are only Six (6) weeks away from the most special music experience of 2016… RE:UNION MUSIC FEST! The team has been working overtime to make it a success, and I couldn’t be prouder of working with this caliber of talent. Speaking of talent… It’s only right that I introduce the 2016 lineup to you! RMF’s artist line-up will include: Wale (USA/Nigeria), Angelique Kidjo (Benin) Wyclef (USA/Haiti) The Internet (USA) Gyptian (Jamaica) Walshy Fire of Major Lazer (USA/Jamaica) Kevens (World Citizen)

and more local and international acts. Combined, these artists will represent backgrounds from The Americas, Carribbean, Africa, and Europe. Genres explored will be Hip-Hop, R&B, Soca, Reggae, Kompa, EDM, Afro beat, Global Fusion, Soul, and Alternative Sounds. We have both live acts and DJs. Our lineup also is cross-generational in that has something for both the millennials and our more seasoned music veterans in the family. It is truly a global family experience! So please invite your friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors. Trust me - you need to be in Miami on June 18th for what will truly be something memorable. Can’t wait to see you there! For more – including bios and playlists – from each act, check out our artists page.

Lakou Mizik is a multi-generational collective of Haitian musicians formed in the aftermath of the devastating 2010 earthquake. The group includes elder legends and rising young talents, united in a mission to honor the healing spirit of their collective culture and communicate a message of pride, strength and hope to their countrymen and the world. Music is at the core of Haiti’s sense of identity, and musicians have always played an important role in society, both in documenting the country’s history and helping to shape its path forward. Lakou Mizik brings together musical generations in celebration of the cultural continuum while using Haiti’s deep well of creative strength to shine a positive light on this tragically misrepresented country. Their spirit-stirring vodou rhythms and call-andresponse vocals are supported by the French café lilt of the accordion. Intricate bass lines and interlocking guitar riffs mesh mesmerizingly with the joyful polyrhythmic hocketing of rara horns. These powerful layers are topped by singalong melodies with inspiring, socially conscious lyrics. The end result is a soulful stew of deeply danceable grooves that feels strangely familiar yet intensely new -- and 100% Haitian. To Hear More, Visit: www.LakouMizik.com. (Information Quoted From Website Bio)

ATIS REZISTANS Destruction to Transformation: The Complexity of Haitian Life & Art After the Earthquake By: Stephanie Dietz

A ndre Eugene founded Atis Rezistans in 1998. Eugene and the seven artists that make up the collective use found items (“trash”) to create artwork conveying the complexity of everyday Haitian life. The space known as the Atelier is multifunctional. The studio where the artists work with metal, rubber, wood and anything else they can get their hands on, is actually Eugene’s back yard. Picture yourself walking down through a dead end street off the Grand Rue in an industrial area of Downtown Port Au Prince. Walk through a maze filled with huge metal sculpture; dozens of small reliefs inlaid with rubber cutouts featuring brightly colored human figures hang from the walls. This is the studio referred to as “E Pluribus Unum’ Musee D Art.” Eugene calls it “a place for the marginalized.” Each member of Atis Rezistans brings their own background to their art in a way that reflects their own personal style; most are influenced heavily by Vodou. Eugene, who previously constructed homes using wood,

works prominently feature Gedes. A group of spirits in Vodou whose head Loa (spirit) is Baron Samedi, master of cemeteries and the dead. The artist known as “Kaliko” whose real name is Jean Claude Saintilus refers to himself as a mystic; his work often blurs the lines between the mystical world and the physical world. One of the members known as Louko; a welder by tradedied in the 2010 Earthquake that claimed upwards of two hundred thousand lives, the exact number remains unknown. In my coversation with Eugene, we spoke about the expansion of the movement, how the organization and the space can be used for so much more in the community. The emphasis of the work is not so much to bring fame and fortune for personal gain, but to give back and empower the artists and the local community. “If I was given twenty thousand dollars today, I would immediately invest it in the studio. I would bring in computers for research, turn it into a library.” To do this, an enclosure would need to be built since the yard is open and is susceptible to the elements. Eugene’s hope for the future of the movement is that the work would continue even if he were not present.

Eugene travels at least twice a year for exhibitions and workshops. He desires continuity no matter the circumstance. His work with children ages six through eighteen called “Timoun Rezistans” is evidence of his commitment.

they can fit in their luggage. Gallery owners around the world usually commission larger pieces. Other pieces have travelled to the U.S as part of the “Lespri Endepandan” exhibition hosted by Florida International University, in Miami.

Without major financing by philanthropic organizations, save for the partnerships with organizations like FOKAL, Atis Rezistans artists independently work to support themselves and their families. Eugene tells me over the phone in a very matter of fact way that Evel Roumain, an artist with Atis Rezistans, is one example of this. During the off-season in Haiti he often goes to the Dominican Republic to sell his work in places like Punta Cana at popular tourist resorts there.

Although travel to Haiti has increased in the years after the Earthquake, the art business has remained largely the same. This is something Eugene hopes to change; he wants to shift to making and selling more art for the tourist market.

Tourists who venture to the Atelier in Port Au Prince; are mostly Haitians in the Diaspora. They are often interested in smaller pieces

The latest data on tourism to Haiti for non-natives was 420,000 visitiors between 2006-2010 and increased to 460,000 between 2011-2015 according to the World Bank.org. The increase in numbers reflect a Haiti in the rebuilding stages and creates a viable market for Haitian artists like Eugene. No conversation about Haitian Art is com-

plete without acknowledging the epicenter of Art in Haiti. Jacmel is renowned around the world for its legacy of producing worldclass artisans and Haitian art dating back to the 1500’s when it was settled under French colonial rule. We have all seen the colorful Papier Mache masks depicting everything from animated heads of state to various animals and even Red Devils. Jacmel is also home to Cine Institute, since 2011 the organization has been serving Haiti’s youth; training them in film production and audio visual technologies that fosters entrepreneurship and business development in local media industries. Jacmels’ folksy, French colonial heritage inspired art stands in stark contrast to Port Au Prince, which is home to Musee du Pantheon National Haitien -- also known as MUPANAH. The home of Atis Rezistans represents the polar opposite in the art space with a different focus and draw. Since Port Au Prince is the seat of politics and the nation’s capital, the dynamic there breeds a very different tone in the creation of art. Eugene says the difference between his work and the art produced in Jacmel is one of subtlety. “The carnival masks often depict political figures in a very open way, this is the spirit of Mardi Gras;” it’s a parody of sorts, it is a political statement through art imitating life. Whereas the messages in the art Atis Rezistans makes is practically

hidden, meant to be interpreted in metaphorical terms, one would have to consult the artist for its true meaning. Atis Rezistans’ work in Haiti is critical in that it addresses a major problem, the practice of burning garbage as a means of waste management. Its an issue the Haitian Government has attempted to address with a law banning the use of certain plastic products in Haiti; however, this measure has proven ineffective due to the lack of enforcement. Eugene acknowledges the long terms consequences of the practice - damage to the environment, as well as the health effects that will inevitably manifest in the people. “This is what we have been given, we are doing our part in bringing a solution to the issue by using the very tools of destruction to bring transformation.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Stephanie Dietz is a Brooklyn bred freelance writer who is passionate about all things Haiti. In her free time she wanders aimlessly around NYC; occasionally stopping at museums and art galleries while plotting her next travel destination.

“We have to constantly critique imperiali because it is normalized by mass m ―

THE FALSE NARRATIVE OF A CURSED HAITI By Wilkine Brutus

ist white supremacist patriarchal culture media and rendered unproblematic.â&#x20AC;?

BEAUCHAMP, HAITI

PORT AU PRINCE, HAITI

When you’re a smiling Haitian-American, a by-product of colonization, the sound of the battered black luggage slipping off the conveyor belt is a subtle reminder of the unlifted burden you’ve strapped across your chest. A trip to Port-au-Prince or Jérémie isn’t just travel. It’s an undying journey-- a quest to force the world to recognize and correct a distorted Haitian history, a narrative unfairly summed up by the socio-economic problems that beset Haitians.

The montage overplaying in your mind, before exiting the airport, is a white collage of neoliberal and conservative pundits, pontificating, wrongly, about why Haiti is the “poorest nation in the Western hemisphere.” It’s a cinematic catchphrase now,

from a black zombie film trailer, where the moviegoers (the general public) accept an ahistorical story filled with logical fallacies and incriminating facts that are rendered as mere footnotes. There is apparently no space for humanization in the free market. The empathy gap allows Western apathy to roam freely; the commentators understate the residual effects of imperial policies, an active, bloody heritage, which has sequestered social mobility for millions of Haitians. But stating this fact certainly doesn’t absolve culpability from the foreign-backed Haitian elite. You hop on the moto-taxi and immediately see Haiti’s sad physiognomy, the effects of a crippling 200 year-old economic em-

LEOGANE, HAITI bargo by France and the USA. Again, the social, economic, and psychological residual effects of this are a mere footnote in the analysis from major publications, the Christian community, and the mainstream consciousness in developed nations. The Western world’s historical amnesia is a trauma induced by widespread indifference. It is now apparent, more than ever, that the exploitation that undergirds Haiti’s quasi-sovereignty and financial solvency is a story far more brutal and savage than the downtrodden, heroic resistance of these black zombies. This imagined film fades with a closing shot of a very real small Haitian boy named Kiki Joachin, the miracle boy who was rescued from beneath the 2010 earthquake rubble—his outstretched arms clutching the night sky and his bright

smile spanning the Atlantic. Joachin, after being asked how he survived, said “God held us,” a remarkable statement which contradicted televangelist Pat Robertson’s false assertion that Haitians were being perpetually punished by God because they made a pack with the devil during 1791’s Bois Caïman, a freedom covenant made during a vodou ceremony which culminated into the successful Haitian revolution in 1804. Robertson’s rhetoric is merely one harsh example of the erasure of the nuanced black story, stripped of its explanatory power. “Haiti suffers from a complex web of progress-resistant cultural influences,” said David Brooks, in his despised New York Times op-ed, “The Underlying Tragedy” written just a few days after the 2010

earthquake. He wrote that Haiti needed “intrusive paternalism,” his code word for more foreign intervention, a one-size-fitsall answer that reeked of disaster capitalism and colonialism.

And those who ignore the historic making of a failed state conveniently ignore the fetishization of the poverty-stricken black body and how false narratives help thwart Haitian liberation. Kaiama L. Glover, a professor of francophone literature, challenged Brooks’ victim blaming rant in her public talk “Flesh Like Our Own: On Poverty & Other Contagions,” with this salient point: “Both Robertson’s and Brook’s degrading mediatization of Haiti refer to or rely on a casting of Afro spiritual practices in the North American context in the way that implicitly and explicitly links Haiti’s social, political, economic dysfunction to its supposed afro nature.” Robertson, Brooks, and other “intrusive paternalism” advocates aren’t simply suffering from a special kind of historical amnesia. No. Whether intentional or not, since the black African body is already othered and dehumanized, it’s quite easy and beneficial to undermine the Haitian story-a means to turn a consistent profit for the American economy. “By 1915, the Americans were also afraid that an ongoing debt Haiti was forced to pay to France tied the country too closely

to its former colonizer; Germany’s growing commercial interests in Haiti were another major concern,” Edwidge Danticat writes in, “The Long History of Occupation in Haiti.” “So one of the first actions carried out by the U.S. at the start of the occupation was to move Haiti’s financial reserves to the United States and then rewrite its Constitution to give foreigners land-owning rights.” Human greed certainly allows money to circulate in unexpected places, usually at gunpoint. There is a history of elites and dictators within the black diaspora who were quite culpable. But “Anti-Haitianism is a racist ideology,” Junot Diaz observed, during an interview with Americas Quarterly, “whether it’s practiced by France, the U.S., the Dominican Republic, or Haitian elites.” And those who ignore the historic making of a failed state conveniently ignore the fetishization of the poverty-stricken black body and how false narratives help thwart Haitian liberation. The Japanese were not rendered the sums of the their trauma after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, just a year after Haiti’s earthquake. Haiti, on the other hand, is perpetually rendered the sum of their socio-economic weaknesses and failures, despite a persistent effort of destabilization by foreign powers. If Haiti is indeed cursed, then we must admit that God’s devine intervention must have allowed the 2010 earthquake to be man-made. Every avenue that would have allowed Haitians to head north on social mobility were already eradicated before the buildings crumbled those fickle hopes and dreams—from basic sustenance, physical infrastructure, and literacy. “Predictably, the IMF cure for Haiti’s desperate poverty involved further reductions in wages that had already sunk to starvation levels, privatization of the state sector, reorientation of domestic production in favour of cash crops popular in North American supermarkets and the elimi-

LABADEE, HAITI

LES CAYES, HAITI nation of import tariffs,” Peter Hallward writes in, “Option Zero in Haiti.” “With the tariff on rice cut from 50 percent to the IMF-decreed 3 percent, Haiti—previously self-sufficient in the crop—was flooded with subsidized American grain, and rice imports rose from just 7,000 tonnes in 1985 to 220,000 tonnes in 2002.” Six years after the 2010 earthquake, foreign powers and the Haitian government has ineffectually allocated $13.5 billions in aid, and the American Red Cross can’t seem to find an answer for the missing $500 million it raised for Haiti’s relief. David Brook’s “intrusive paternalism” was already an established cash cow that dates back even further. There is a laundry list of “democratic” actions by US and France that have perpetually destabilized Haiti and punished it-- cursed it, for its mere free existence. This cognitive dissonance by Western governments, commentators, and the general public is rivaled by absolutely no other country.

Intrusive paternalism is a type of parenting that has always created dying subordinates. It was intrusive paternalism that forced Haiti to pay reparations, 90 million ($21billion USD) gold francs to France for Haiti’s successful 1804 slave revolt, which also resulted in several decades of isolation and economic exclusion, similar to that of Cuba. It allowed Woodrow Wilson and the United States to occupy for 19 years, which resulted in the deaths of 15,000 Haitians. It supported US-backed “Papa Doc” and “Baby Doc,” who both contributed to the brain drain that stripped the country of its capacity for innovation and eradicated

PEGUY VILLE, HAITI small farmers through paramilitary coercion. It supported Canada’s effort to undermine Haiti’s sovereignty and allowed Bill Clinton’s foundation carte blanche to cripple development. Intrusive paternalism is a type of parenting that has always created dying subordinates. A change in the global narrative of Haiti certainly comes with a price. Cuba and Haiti, separated by the Caribbean’s Windward Passage, share a similar story of historic resistance and revolutionary self-assertion. Both suffer from outside forces simplifying their Latin American existence: the Cuban narrative is summed up, completely, by their Communist ideology, and Haitians for their black “culturally resistant” inadequacies. On the other hand, for Haiti’s major role in liberating Latin America--namely for helping Simón Bolívar--Venezuela wants to “repay its debt” to Haiti. Despite Euro and North American apathy, there is an ev-

er-growing movement to add nuance to the Haitian story. The fight for freedom still continues. And when you’re a smiling Haitian-American, a byproduct of colonization, the sound of the battered black luggage slipping off the conveyor belt is a subtle reminder that traveling to Port-au-Prince and Jérémie is a tangible way of simply loosening the burden—it is still difficult to identify, equally, to both nationalities. Haitians are not the sums of their perceived failures, nor are they black film zombies exercising heroic resistance to psychological pain and foreign encroachment. Edwidge Danticat, again, captured the ways in which the act of “othering” disavows genuine empathy from contemporary observations of Haiti and blackness—a warning to the world that by propagating false narratives, we run the risk of suffering from historical amnesia.

CAP-HAÏTIEN, HAITI

“Call it gunboat diplomacy or a banana war, but this occupation was never meant—as the Americans professed—to spread democracy, especially given that certain democratic freedoms were not even available to the United States’ own black citizens at the time. “Think of it!” said 1915 Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan of Haitians. “Niggers speaking French.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Haitian-American writer, event host, and YouTube partner with over 13,500 subscribers and 2.5million total views, Wilkine Brutus, is also the Content Director for the multimedia platform, OogeeWoogee. He is also founder and editor-in-chief of The Vanguard Element, a cross-cultural website curating thought-provoking content: social commentary, short films & interviews. Interviews include the likes of Nikki Giovanni and Taylor Mali. You can follow Wilkine at VanguardElement.com, OogeeWoogee.com, or on Youtube at wbrutus22.

MAN ABOUT TOWN Nick Smith, The Travel Channel's New Host, Talks Food, Culture & Relationships

ick Smith, reporter turned host of the Travel Channel’s show “Street Eats” embodies the spirit of many of the GR readers and contributors. He is unapologetic about his love of travel, fueled by his passions, and deliberate about his life choices. Just days away from the show’s premier, he paused to have a reflective conversation with GR about the process of building his dream, his love life and the drive it takes to keep chasing your vision, even when it gets dark. GR: Congratulations on the new show. I am completely excited for you. I’m counting down the premier like it’s my show Thank you. I am beyond excited. I think you share my excitement because you understand the struggle behind what it takes to launch something like this. GR: Absolutely. It’s not an overnight process. It’s difficult. In fact, career change in general is difficult. In your case you went from a television news reporter to hosting a food centered travel show. How did that transition occur? And how was it? It was a difficult decision, but I needed to follow my passion. I had to create a life that centered on the things I’m most passionate about; which are food, travel and TV. I had to find a way to marry the three so to speak. GR: Marriage (both literally and figuratively speaking) isn’t always easy. How did you create a holy matrimony? It was a long road. The time between forming an idea and knocking on the right doors can get pretty long. I had a lot of “no’s.” A lot of flying to another state, staying up all night to prepare for a meeting, only to arrive at the designated location and have the person say, “Something came up, but I can give you 5minutes.” It’s a frustrating process, but this is all part of creating the life you want. The process was even more difficult because “real life” doesn’t stop while you’re building your

dreams. I still had to work non-stop to pay the bills while pouring out money to invest in this project. I wish I could say “oh but It doesn’t seem all that bad now that it’s done.” That’s simply not true. I still think back and think how I did that.

Think your city has the best “street eats”? Hit him up on Twitter and let him know. He may just take you up on that challenge. (Tell Him GR Sent You!)

GR: How did you? I just wouldn’t settle for mediocre. Don’t get me wrong. My previous career as a news reporter was something I worked hard for. By many standards it was “success.” It just wasn’t what I wanted. I knew I wouldn’t have been happy if I didn’t go after my passion. Following your passion is difficult sometimes. GR: Yes it is. Just because you’re passionate about something, that doesn’t mean it won’t be difficult and demanding. Not only does it sound difficult, but the schedule sounds demanding. A demand that I imagine isn’t going to subside anytime soon. Tell us what your schedule is like now. Yes it’s still intense. In order to scout the location sometimes we spend at least 4 days there. We take time to connect with the community and go beyond what you will typically see in a travel guide book. We want to help create a unique experience for the viewers. That requires work and time. Sometimes it feels like one day we are in Philly and the next moment we are in Cuba. It can feel non-stop.

GR: Has this change in travel schedule and career impacted your love life? Traveling around the globe **coughs** experiencing pieces of different cultures could sound like a dream job for some men. Well my love life has definitely improved. Gainful employment tends to do that. I have yet to meet anyone that doesn’t appreciate a gainfully employed brother. But I’m not all that interested in **coughs** sampling different pieces of culture while I’m on the road. I’m single but I want something meaningful. Someone to share my highs and lows of life with. Someone to take this journey with me. That other stuff… I’m 44 years old, that’s not as necessary anymore. I want something authentic. I want it to be real. I want to treat

somebody the way I want somebody to treat my mother and sister. GR: Thank you for the honestly. Wow your Twitter mentions are going to jump when this is published. But I had to ask that obvious question. You’re a good looking man. My readers want to know. Speaking of obvious questions, can we talk about how being a Black American traveling the globe during this season in history impacts your show? Or even if there is any impact. Well even prior to this show I traveled often. I lived in Germany and several different states. I’m no stranger to being the only Black person in a space. But it does impact my show. I know that in some countries their exposure to Black Americans is limited. I’m a tall, big black man. When we were in Hong Kong I got stares. Some

people actually came up to me and wanted a picture because they assumed I was Obama. Other times I tried to walk up to locals and start a conversation and they were ice cold. It could have been a language barrier, or it could have been whatever preconceived notions they had about black Americans. GR: Your show is centered on food. Which is a great ice breaker. At any point when you’re “breaking bread” with people do they ask questions? No. However, we do have open conversations that I hope break stereotypes. I am always aware of their sometimes preconceived notions. Which is why on the show I am my layered authentic self. I want people to understand that we are not either Obama, a sports player or Love and Hip Hop. I mean, we can be all of the above. We are everything. I’m happy to be able to use my platform to demonstrate that. This works both ways. Sometimes I experience something new and reshapes how I previously viewed something. GR: Which is the beauty of travel that our readers fully understand. Many of our readers are layered, diverse and seasoned nomads. They aren’t necessarily the “take a week off from work once year for a stay-cation” type. They create the life they want, convention be dammed. So they won’t really be interested in just any travel show. Tell me some thing about your show that would attract them. Great question. This is the honest answer. No matter where you travel to you want to have a good time, great experience and great food without paying “tourist prices.” This show is providing you with that in our own unique and family friendly way.

For more information about the show tune into the Travel Channel.

Shanita Hubbard is a mom, writer, traveler, speaker and social justice advocate. Her background includes juvenile justice reform, nation-wide consulting and collaborating on multi-million dollar grants. However, she is most proud of her title as the Mom of an amazing black girl. Follow her on Twitter

Daughter of a Haitian industrialist and art lover, and of a French mother, heiress to a 200 years old family tannery, Pascale Théard grew up in Port-au-Prince, surrounded by the rhythm of drums, the crisp sound of leather being cut, the artisans’ laughter resonating in the air and merging with it. Smells, colors, sounds and raw materials have nurtured her childhood and have drawn for her, as accurately as Vèvès designed with lime on the floor, a powerful identity, between tradition and creation. It is, therefore, fully aware of what she has received from her native Haiti that she traveled to Paris with the idea, still vague, of a meaningful return... In 2003 she launched her own brand of leather accessories, “Pascale Théard Créations” whose logo is a Vèvè, supreme emblem made voodoo art ... Never before had this fundamental element of the Haitian identity been used commercially. By this choice, she fully assumes something non-negotiable: Haiti is voodoo and so is the contrary! Riding the success of her first launch, she continued her brand of 100% Haiti luxury goods by creating a line of home goods, “Design 1804.” To Learn More About Pascale and her Products, Visit www.pascaletheardcreations.com.

THE SISTERS OF VODOU Ezili Spirits and Concepts of Spirituality and Sexuality in African Religious Worldviews

BY: KWEKU DARKO ANKRAH TITLE PAGE ART BY: JEFF CULLEN

HAITI

very nation possesses socio-cultural, political, economic and religious markers which serve as a prism for the world to identify it. England is known for its law and monarchy, France for its aesthetic taste in fashion, America for its liberal capitalism and Tibet for its unadulterated Buddhist religious practices. The wonderful Caribbean country of Haiti is often known for its religious practice of Vodou (Vodun or Voodoo). “Vodun is the spiritual imperative and way of life of Haitians. It’s psychology, cosmology, philosophy, art and a healing way of life,” writes Marguerite Lauren aka Ezili Dantò, award-winning US-based Haitian playwright, performance poet, political and social commentator, author and human rights attorney. In her own words, she is dedicated to correcting media lies about Haiti. On international geopolitics, attempts have been made by Western powers like the United States, France and Canada to portray Haiti as

a failed state, unable to properly govern itself and wallowing in abject economic squalor as a result of its primitive religious practices. But the people of Haiti have been resolute and continue to be proud of their country and its vodun practices. These practices have even impacted Haitian socio-cultural and political history. Even for their elite class, vodun is still an indispensable ingredient of the political cuisine. It is within this historical and cultural context that two famous and powerful spirit sisters, Freda and Danto, exist. Freda is the spirit of love, beauty, gambling, dancing and luxury. She has three husbands, symbolically wearing three rings, yet she is known as Metres, or mistress, because she acts more like a mistress than a wife. Her sister Danto is dark-skinned, scarred, and is the patron of motherhood, single motherhood in particular. The fascination over their female sexuality and

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DOMINICAN REPUBLIC spirituality has made them the subject of numerous anthropological and theological studies, as well as researched in other academic disciplines. In fact, the popularity of these two Ezili sisters and the religous appeal of vodun in Haiti has attracted thousands of Haitian devotees and followers within and outside the diaspora to worship beneath a waterfall of Saut D’eau in central Haiti during the annual three day festival in mid-July. The pilgrims go there to honor Ezili Freda, syncretized as the Virgin Mary or la vyej, as well as Danbala, the great serpentine lord of the waterfall, other lwas (spirits) and Ezili Danto. Legend has it that Haiti’s most celebrated patron saint, Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Ezili Danto), appeared on a palm tree in 1847 in the Palms Grove in Saut d’Eau and was integrated into Haiti’s vodun culture.

FROM AFRICAN VODUN TO HAITIAN VODOU Haitian vodou is pretty much African vodun.

Enslaved Africans from the powerful, precolonial West African kingdom of Dahomey in the Republic of Benin brought the practice to Haiti. They were mostly Gbe-speaking people (Fon, Ewe, Aja and Guen/Mina) found in Benin, Togo and Ghana. There was also a sizable native African population from the Kongo, and the Bight Biafra (Yoruba, Igbo and Kalabari). The word “vodun,” corrupted by Euroasians as “voodoo,” emanated from the Fongbe (Fon language). It means “sacred energies.” The ancient Dahomeans had belief in multiple gods and spiritual possession. These include: veneration of ancestors, use of rituals or objects to convey mystical protection, animal sacrifices to show respect for deity to gain its favor or to give thanks, deployment of spiritual medicines or objects meant to contain the essence or power of particular spirits, and ceremonial dances, often involving elaborate costumes and masks. It also utilizes ceremonial music and instruments such as drums or divination using the interpretation of physical activities, like tossing seed hulls or pulling a stone of a

BENIN

certain color from a tree. It also involves the association of colors, foods, plants and other items with specific loa (lwa) or spirit and the use of these items to pay tribute to the loa. Some people often associate this ancient practice with evil as a result of ritual performances, which include the sacrifice of live animals. But vodun focuses on respect and peace; the religious leaders serve as community leaders,

This awesome African religion was transplanted to Haiti, adapted to the sociological conditions of its milieu and borrowed features continually from the formally organized religions such as Protestantism and Catholicism to dodge the ever-present slave codes. Thus, the names of Catholic saints became the names of loa. In many cases, the loa’s role reflected that of the corresponding saint. For

This awesome African religion was transplanted to Haiti, adapted to the sociological conditions of its milieu and borrowed features continually from the formally organized religions such as Protestantism and Catholicism to dodge the ever-present slave codes. providing guidance, settling disputes and frequently providing medical care in the form of folk medicine.

instance, Saint Peter who holds the key to the kingdom of Heaven corresponds to the loa, Papa Legba, the spirit world’s gatekeeper.

As Professor Beatrice Aguessy of the Institute of Development and Endogenous Exchanges (IDEE) based in Cotonou explains, “Voodoo cure is of two kinds: healing and cleansing of an individual or an entire city. While healing could involve mineral, herbal and animal and spiritual rituals, cleansing on the other hand passes through acknowledgement of a wrong deed and subsequent appeasement of the relevant spirit(s) and the offended.”

Catholic religious holidays became vodun holidays for the corresponding loa. For instance, celebration for a family of spirits called the Gedes take place on All Saint’s Day and All Soul’s Day. Christian crosses became symbols for the crossroads, which represents life-altering choices and steps in the spiritual path for followers of vodun. Catholic hymns and prayers became part of vodun services.

However, curses, witchcraft and spells designed to do harm fall into the category of “Bo”, with Bokono (sorcerers) in charge. It does not fall under vodun religious practices. In Benin, Togo, and Ghana vodun practice today has approximately 40 million devotees. Anthropologists refer to Benin as the “cradle of Voodoo”. Vodun is their official religion with a national Vodun holiday on their calendar and as many as 60% of the people as followers.

HAITIAN VODOU PANTHEONS Haitian cosmology, just like the indigenous African one, has numerous lwa, or intermediary spiritual entities that remain intimately involved in the affairs of the living. The lwa and individuals who honor them are part of a unified family whose members are enmeshed in a web of reciprocal relations. Vodou spirits have his or her distinctive personality (reflect-

ing partly African origins and/or syncretism with Catholicism), and preside over particular domains or aspects of social life. Atibon Papa Legba is the owner of the crossroads and the first Iwa to be saluted before a vodou ceremony can commence; Gede is the lord of death, life, humor and sexuality. Danbala and Ayida Wedo are the two cosmic snakes representing the essence of all life and creation (fertility) and the past and the continuity of generation(flexibility). Agwe is the lord of the seas while Ogou is the great deity representing the principles of defense, war and iron. Loko is a god of healing and Marasa Dosou Dosa represents the twins. Azaka is the deity of agriculture, and Ezilis, the Rada spirit, personifies different aspects of womanhood such as love, feminine beauty, coquetry, wealth, bravely, and good luck. Ezilis comprises several feminine spirits, including Lasyrenn, the mermaid, Ezili Danto, the hardworking and sometimes-angry mother and Ezili Freda, who represents romantic love and erotic sexuality.

Sexuality is central to human beings, especially women and men in Africa, as it influences our worldview as religio-cultural people. It influences the conception of the body-selves and our relationships with others and with God through our ancestors. Ab initio at birth and lasting a lifetime, sexuality is celebrated through rites of passage to mark each stage of development. This view is expressed within African worldview of the Supreme Being which is seen as a man and a woman. For example, God is known as Ataa Naa Nyonmo or Mawu-Lisa among the Ga and Gbe-speaking people of Ghana, Togo and Benin. Among the Ga people, Ataa is the female and Naa is the male aspect of spiritual entity, Nyonmo. Among the Gbe people (Fon, Ewe, Aja, Mina/Guen), Mawu is the female and Lisa being male. The union of these twins is the basis of the organisation of the universe.

It is here where women’s relationships with men reflect the tensions of neglect, assaults and irresponsibility’s.

On ceremonial occasions, each of the lwa can be called down to “mount” an initiate like a horse and take possession of his or her body and mind temporarily. With a priest (houngan) or priestess (manbo) officiating, initiates make elaborate preparations of food, music, ritual consecrations, and animal sacrifices to arrange for the lwa to make his/her appearance.

EZILI SPIRITS AND CONCEPTS OF SPIRITUALITY AND SEXUALITY IN AFRICAN RELIGIOUS WORLDVIEW

In the same vein, earth (land) is a woman and the sky (heaven) is a male, the two copulate to give birth. The Ezili spirits reflects the characteristics of Haitian women, the social strata within Haitian society and how they pull their various energies to traverse the vicissitudes of life in general to achieve spiritual, economic and socio-political success.

EZILI DANTÒ Ezili Dantò is the most popular of the Ezili sisters among the Haitians. She is associated with the masses of irrepressible and strong Haitian women. Thus, Dantò “is the symbol of the irreducible essence of that ancient Black mother, mother of all the races, who holds Haiti’s umbilical chord back to Africa, back to Anba Dlo, beneath the ocean and the waters,” said Lauren. In tandem with syncretism, Ezili Dantò is

represented by the image Mater Salvator (a Polish black virgin: Our Lady of Czestochowa). Her other names include Our Lady of Lourdes, Saint Barbara Africana and Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Ezili Dantò`s hair is draped with a gold edged blue veil, whilst holding a Christ-like child, a girl. This symbolizes her as a symbol of motherhood, a single mother who raises her own children with care. She is a prism focusing light on the single mother and head of household.

This was evident during the Haitian Revolution where she possessed the people with power to rebel, leading to Haiti`s independence. It is believed that to avoid the temptation of her telling Haitian fighters` secrets, her tongue was cut. Hence, when she possesses a person they cannot talk but make “dey dey dey” sounds. These limited sounds symbolically reflect Haitian womens’ ability to withstand suffering without complaining as they express their pain and anger. It represents the silence of women voices.

She is the very incarnation of a physical beauty that men find irresistible and women find threatening.

Danto has terrible and uncontrollable anger but always makes an effort to cook real food for her children. Ezili Dantò has two parallel vertical marks “twa scars” on her right cheeks extolling the proudness of her African ancestry. The marks were actually inflicted on her with a dagger by her sister, Ezili Freda in retaliation to Dantò`s stabbing of her sister’s heart with a dagger during their ferocious battle to win the heart of Ogou Lwa.

Ezili Dantò is portrayed as a simple woman with everyday looks, presentable femininity with unquenchable taste in choosing several male lovers, but Ogou is her favorite among the lot and he fathered at least one or seven of her numerous children. She never married any of her sexual lovers, but her favorite among her lovers included Tijuan Petwo, her own son, Karen McCarthy Brown, an academic of Italian-American parentage writes in her scholarly work: “MAMA LOLA: A Vodun Priestess in Brooklyn.” This is also an attempt at stereotyping black Haitian women as immoral sex fiends. She frequents the marriages of the living. She is a fearless warrior, protective and responsive to the needs of her children, and when they are in trouble, she put everything aside to rush to their defense, even putting her own life in danger.

Ezili Danto functions these days to bring hidden lives and hidden truths to the surface. She also overlaps with this pattern of shifting gender roles by providing an accurate portrait of the forces that shape women’s lives in urban Haiti and in Haitian immigrant communities. It is here where women’s relationships with men reflect the tensions of neglect, assaults and irresponsibilities. Ezili Dantò is a symbol of bodily survival and resistance and is the protector of women who are suffering from abuses. She is a mother figure empowered by her sexuality, her fierceness, and her compassion. Women must re-imagine the feminist potential of this powerful mother figure for pointing the way toward freedom.

EZILI FREDA Ezili Fréda is from the Rada aspect of Erzulie. Despite being depicted as a Caucasian woman residing at the upper echelons of society, she still remains the Haitian African spirit of tender love and impeccable beauty with feisty taste in jewelry, romantic dancing, luxury, and flowers. She is so sweet, beautiful, desirably alluring and with a measured temperament, but she can lose her cool and become dangerous when in jealous competition with a

competitor for a lover. This explains why she removed the dagger that her sister Ezili Dantò plunged in her heart and made “twa scars” on her face in revenge.

is allowed to touch the man who is being initiated into her cult, or to enter the chamber set aside for Ezili Freda on the day consecrated to her.

In vodun syncretic iconography she is often identified with the Mater Dolorosa del Monte Calvario, Virgin Mary represented as sorrowing for the passion of Christ, with a jewel-encrusted sword plunged into her heart. Her arms are crossed over her breasts, dripping with gold chains, and her fingers wear three wedding rings, one for each husband - Damballa, Agwe and Ogou. This portrayed her as a romantic woman who is willing to marry and share a bed with many men and lovers. Thus, she is an idealized vision of erotic and unchallengeable love that does not include children.

“Saturday is the night that male devotees who have married to her sleep alone and wait for Freda to come into their dreams,” Brown writes. On that appointed day, the institution of marriage is subordinated to the religious (and erotic) love bond between Ezili Freda and her male devotees. In this way, Freda does not only choose and set aside for herself young and handsome men and thus bar them from marriage, but succeeds in frequently choosing married men and thrusts herself between the woman and her happiness.

She is the very incarnation of a physical beauty that men find irresistible and women find threatening. This reflects a contemporary situation among highly educated Haitian women where bigamy and barrenness may be indicative of a feminist response to social convention. Brown writes also that, “She is often addressed with the respectful title of a married woman of means…you always got to call her Mademoiselle. Freda likes people to think she is a teenager.” On her head she wears a jeweled tiara, weighty gold earrings and precious necklaces. Her symbol is a heart and her colors are pink, blue, white and gold. Her favorite sacrifices include jewelry, perfume, sweet cakes and liqueurs. She is indeed an upper class Haitian Creole woman, as scholar Brown narrates from Alourdes: “Poor people have no true love. They just have affiliations.” Thus, Freda is seen as a powerful healer and an object of desire. Her almost excessive dresses, jewelry and perfume signify wealth and represent a femininity defined by power and sexuality, not submissiveness or weakness. She is a “lavish” deity who doesn’t have to work, but can command the natural world to work for her. Ezili Freda also loves young unmarried and even married men as her initiates; no woman

Married men get attached to her and get divorced from their wives, whilst unmarried men who attach themselves to her cult voluntarily are rendered incapable of marriage. This is so because she offers men the most bounteous and perfect love. But that love is transitory, full and overflowing beyond the capacity of men to keep. In this way, Ezili Freda’s love and her ability to be loved are flawed. She is unable to translate the dream of her desires into reality. But for the Haitians, Ezili Freda represents what is innocent and good and noble about love, as well as all that is unattainable or painful, even tragic about it. Yet, it is in both these sisters that we see not only women, but the face and duality of Haiti – both strong and powerful, yet beautiful to a fault and seeking love.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

The writer, Kweku Darko Ankrah, is a journalist, blogger and a historian based in Accra, Ghana. He holds degrees in Journalism, LLB Law and is currently pursuing a Master of Philosophy Degree from the Institute of African Studies (IAS), University of Ghana, Legon-Accra.

BECAUSE THIS IS ALSO HAITI BY: RICHARD CANTAVE

Citadelle LaferriĂ¨re

nown to many as the world’s first black republic, Haiti means land of mountains “it is a place that reflects its African ancestry more than any other place in the Americas, so-much that as of June 2016, Haiti will become a full member of the African Union. According to Expedia, travel to Haiti has increased 800% in the last couple years--thanks to efforts from the government to prioritize tourism but also heavy exposure through social media. There are tons of guides on what to see and do in Haiti, but almost none of them offer you a truly authentic way to discover the country like a local, hopefully on your next visit, all you’ll need is this Griots Republic article. Our first stop is Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti and the perfect place to start your trip as it offers a glimpse of what everyday life in Haiti is like. Streets are adorned with colorful taptaps which are converted pick-up trucks serv-

ing as public transportation; beautiful to see but as a tourist, I’d highly recommend hiring a private driver.

WHAT TO SEE MUPANAH This museum, located in Champs de Mars next to the presidential palace, is the heart of the city. It houses the remains of the heroes of independence and important artifacts from the world’s only successful slave rebellion. NÈG MAWON Located right across the street from the MUPANAH, is a bronze statue dedicated to the unknown slave who announced the start of the rebellion through a conch shell.

PARC DE LA CANNE A SUCRE Located across from the U.S Embassy in Tabarre, is a former sugar cane plantation turned museum displaying different machinery, trains and other precious artifacts--taking visitors back to past centuries. MARCHÉ EN FER (IRON MARKET) The is a bustling marketplace where you can buy anything from a live chicken to beautiful handcrafted souvenirs. It can be a bit overwhelming as you haggle your way through different sellers, but the building--built in 1889 by an ex-president, was destroyed in the earthquake in 2010 but rebuilt to its exact original form. KENSCOFF Take a trip up to the mountains towering Port-

au-Prince, here you will notice the air is pure, the landscape is post-card perfect and the people are friendly. Stop at “Observatoire” in Boutilliers for a cocktail and enjoy breathtaking 180 degree views of the city. As you continue to make your way up, stop at L’infini and be blown away by a gorgeous bamboo Forrest. Head to the Baptist Mission of Haiti or Kay Wallace where you will discover a small but beautiful zoo with the amazing landscape in the background. Lastly, finish your trip with a visit to “Fort Jacques,” a fort built to protect Port-auPrince. SAUT D’EAU (WATERFALL) As the name suggests, this waterfall on the outskirts of the capital is one of the most important places in Haitian culture. Considered a sacred place for Christians where it is widely believed the Virgin Mary made an appearance, it’s also a place of pilgrimage for voodoo practitioners

which is more tied to Christianity than known. BARBANCOURT RUM DISTILLERY Haiti is known for its world famous sugar canebased rum; if you call ahead of time to schedule a tour of the distillery, you will get a first-hand look at how the sugar cane is transformed into a five star rum. The free tour starts at 9am daily and samples are included. HOTEL OLOFSSON It’s no secret to anyone, Thursday nights are owned by RAM at the Hotel Olofsson. The hotel itself is a gorgeous 19th century gothic gingerbread mansion, originally built as the residence for two former presidents of Haiti. The local band RAM, owned by the hotel’s owner has been performing there every Thursdays for more than 20 years! If you want to learn more about the voodoo religion, I suggest you start here. A secret that you definitely won’t find in any guidebook, is the new Thursday nights at Yanvaloo which is minutes away from the hotel Olofsson. There’s a new Haitian band called Akoustik which plays every genre of music, do yourself a favor and make sure you see them! On friday nights, the place to be is ASU rooftop lounge at the hotel Karibe in Petion-Ville. (Go early as it gets packed!)

-..._:___

Some of the best beaches close to the capital are situated about an hour or two north of Port-auPrince. The Côte des Arcadins offers several gorgeous waterfront resorts. My personal favorite is Wahoo bay Beach resort; for $15 you have access to the entire property and amenities for the whole day while delicious food and drinks are available for purchase. If you’re traveling on a budget and want to find amazing food at a fraction of the cost, head a few doors down past Wahoo and you’ll find a gas station, there’s a restaurant there with amazingly delicious food for about $10 a meal. One of the resorts next to Wahoo bay called Moulin Sur Mer houses a beautiful museum on its grounds dedicated to slavery and will take you back to its old days as a plantation. Entrance to the museum is only $5.

WHERE TO STAY I always highly recommend staying at the Hotel Montana in Petion-Ville if you want a truly authentic experience. They have a restaurant with a gorgeous

view overlooking Port-au-Prince and offer a scrumptious buffet-dinner on Sunday nights for only $20. It is walking distance from art/ souvenir shops lining the streets. Other great choices for hotels in Petion-Ville include the El Rancho, Hotel Oasis, Hotel Karibe, Best Western. The Marriott in downtown Port-au-Prince is beautiful but too removed from everything.

WHERE TO EAT You’ll find great food spots in Petion-Ville; personally I’d recommend Le P’tit Creux as the top choice; they offer a lunch buffet that is culinary excellence. La Coquille is a close second and is beautifully decorated to reflect Haitian creativity and art. For a more upscale experience, La Reserve, Magdoos, and La Plantation all have beautiful grounds and great food. For a more artistic tour, our second stop in Haiti is Jacmel. Only two hours away from the capital by car, or a twenty minute flight; come during carnival and you’ll understand why this city is considered the cultural and artistic center of Haiti. It was once called the Paris of the Caribbean--thanks to its gingerbread homes and 19th century buildings. No trip to Jacmel is complete without a stop at Bassin Bleu, a series of natural pools with a gorgeous waterfall. The pool directly above the waterfall is a mind-blowing 75 feet deep! If you plan on staying overnight, I highly recommend the Villa Nicole, a beautiful property nestled on the beach and surrounded by coconut trees. For authentic cuisine, head to Raymond les bains beach and ask for Madame Jean. The Hotel Florita is a famous stop to have a drink and chat with locals or fellow travelers. Watch the sunset at Lakou Nouyòk, Hotel Cyvadier or while enjoying a fresh coconut at Ti mouyaj. For a paradise-like beach you can continue south to Les Cayes and ferry to île a Vache. Our third stop is the majestic city of Cap Haitien. A 4-hour drive or 45 minute flight from Port-au-Prince; this city plays a significant role

in the history of Haiti as it is here that Christopher Columbus first touched down and allegedly lost his biggest ship La Santa Maria, but also where one of Haiti’s most brilliant fighters ruled. King Henri Christophe commissioned the construction of the Citadelle Laferrière—the largest fortress in the western hemisphere on top of one of the highest mountains to protect the country from a potential French invasion. It was built by 20,000 newly freed slaves and armed with 365 canons of different sizes which many are still in place today. Henri Christophe also commissioned the construction of the Palais Sans Souci as his royal residence. Destroyed by an earthquake, the ruins of the palace tell the story of a king determined to demonstrate to foreigners, the power and capability of the black race. This is where the roots of freedom of the black race were forever instilled. Continuing a historical tour, a stop at Vertières where the decisive battle for independence took place, the remembrance monument brings a sense of pride and gratitude to these men who chose to live free or die defending the black race’s freedom. For a relaxing getaway, take a small boat to île a rat, an uninhabited island with a gorgeous beach where Columbus would escape with his lover. Habitation Jouissaint is one of the top hotels with a beautiful view and great lounge atmosphere, while there is no better food in town than Lakay Restaurant. I could write for days about the beauty of Haiti, but as Haitians say “Se la pou la.”(You just have to be here)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Richard Cantave was born and raised in Port-au-Prince, Haiti and moved to New York in the summer of 2003. He received a B.S. in Criminology/Sociology from Suny at Old Westbury where he was given the opportunity to volunteer in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. That experience changed his life and helped him find what feeds his soul - helping people.

ALEXIS

BARNES

TRAVELER PROFILE

Alexis K. Barnes is a multimedia journalist currently based in Lusaka, Zambia as a Global Health Corps fellow. Before Zambia, she worked in the United Nations bureau of Al Jazeera English in NYC. Before the Big Apple, I worked in Washington, D.C., then South Korea and Thailand. She is a Howard University graduate who spent her summer reporting in the US Virgin Islands and traveled to Haiti in October to complete on-the-ground reporting to fulfill her Masters Capstone project for City University of New York (CUNY). Though her roots are in print journalism, they have evolved into proficiency in video, photo and audio editing and reporting. Her passion for telling and exploring human rights stories has landed her work on the pages of quite a few notable publications; including Vice and Griots Republic. To read more of Alexisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Work or to Follow her blog, visit her at www.alexiskbarnes. com.

KONPA

he island of Haiti has cultivated a rich Haitian culture that is evidenced by its history, cuisine, clothing, and music. The music of Haiti combines a wide range of influences drawn from the native Taino’s, the French and Spanish settlers, and the African slaves. Among the various musical genre found in Haiti, Konpa is a complex, ever-changing music genre that fuses African rhythms and European ballroom dancing, mixed with Haiti’s bourgeois culture. One of the most distinctive characteristics of Konpa music is the consistent, pulsing drum beat, which makes it easy and fun to dance to. Konpa, originally referred to as Konpa Direct, is the number one Haitian pop style. Compas or Kompa translates to “beat” or “rhythm” in Spanish. Konpa was the dominant musical style in the Francophone Caribbean before being dethroned by Zouk in the 1980s. “We all caught this Haitian fever: for 20 years that’s all we listened to”, says Jacob Desvarieux, the long-time bandleader of Kassav’. The dominance of Konpa was one of the reasons why Desvarieux founded his Martinican super-group in 1979, inventing Zouk, another uptempo Caribbean musical mix. Kompa was derived from the ‘Meringue’ style (not to be confused with the ‘Merengue’ of neighboring Dominican Republic). With roots in French contradance, Konpa emerged in Haiti in the 18th century as syncopated tropical dance music par excellence, becoming the definitive national urban music and the lifeblood of the diaspora. Konpa is a musical genre derived from African and European roots. It is a fusion of Zouk, reggae, rock, salsa, and other styles of Caribbean music. Konpa is also known as Haitian Méringue popularized in the mid-1950s by the sax and guitar player Nemours Jean Baptiste, a Haitian jazz artist influenced by the musical styling

of Cuba and the Dominican Republic. While Konpa music has a lot of popularity in today’s market, Konpa dance lost its sting and is today considered an underground dance style due to some of the sensual and sultry styles which has created a false fabrication over the dance as a whole. It is for this reason young activist groups like K.O.T.R. has formed, and creating an avenue to properly raise awareness for the dance. Konpa on the Rise (KOTR), is a Konpa Awareness

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Dance Project. What exactly does that mean? KOTR consists of a passionate group of educated Konpa lovers who have taken the initiative to create a movement to expose Konpa dancing to the world. KOTR is dedicated to spreading awareness about the transformation, expansion, and progression of the art of Konpa dance. Due to the fact that there are several styles within Konpa, such as Konpa-direk, Bolero, Konpa levanjil, and Konpa-light to name a few, KOTR built a website to help keep everyone informed and up-to-date. Through the website, visitors get to follow and learn from the pioneers of the movement, locate dance workshops or dance events in their nearby locations, and learn how they can get involved in the movement. If you’re interested in learning how to dance Konpa for the first time or want to sharpen your Konpa dance skills, please visit us at www.wikotr.com or follow us on Facebook @wi-kotr or on Youtube as “Konpa Ontherise”. We look forward to seeing and hearing from you!

Sony Laventure is a University of Florida Alumni with a Bachelor’s degree in Digital Arts & Sciences. Since graduating, Sony has launched and is operating three web based companies and is an investor for additional brands based in Florida including LMiDG Studios, K.O.T.R Konpa Dance Studios, and Dukewear Clothing. In addition to being an entrepreneur, Sony has dedicated a percentage of his life to doing missionary work and giving back to his home country, Haiti.

WRITTEN BY: Sebastien Roc PHOTOGRAPHY BY: Archer’s Photography KEJ

Outside of New York, Quebec has one of the largest populations of Haitian outside of Haiti. The ease of language and the familarity of French culture make living and working in Canada easier for many Haitians and as a result of this Haitian culture is alive and ever present. AYITI MAKAYA is an association of dynamic young Haitians living in Canada, mainly in Montreal, who are involved in cultural activities in their community. Initially, the association, which was only founded in 2015, had a mission to promote Haitian culture and to futher facilitate the integration of young Haitian immingrants into Canada. Since its creation, AYITI MAKAYA had the opportunity to participate in several social gatherings and cultural events in Montreal including: the 40th edition of the Carifiesta, Weekend du monde, Haiti en folie, Fundraising Pou Lakay and the Christmas for children at Perle Retrouvée. The Association’s membership has soared and AYITI MAKAYA now shares the beauty of Haitian culture with Quebec at many functions. At each event, Haiti is represented by AYITI MAKAYA and bi-color has been hoisted with pride. During traditional carnival, the group

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highlighs the unique features of Haitian culture, be it the rhythms of drums, tchatchas or other traditional instruments through folk dances. From floats and Haitian traditional costumes, performers, and dancers, Haiti is honored and the public is immersed in the world of this beautiful and friendly country of the Caribbean. This year, AYITI MAKAYA was bestowed the honor, once again, to represent the Haitian

bicolor in 41st edition of Carifiesta to be held in Montreal on July 2. We will hoist the blue and red of our beloved Haiti and lift our heads high with pride to regain our Pearl of the Antilles. For more information about AYITI MAKAYA, we invite you to follow us on Facebook. If you are so inclined, we invite you to come celebrate Haiti with us at this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s round of events!

EVENTS 41st edition of Carifiesta July 2, 2016 Montreal, Canada Weekend du monde July 9-10 and 16-17, 2016 Montreal, Canada Haiti en folie July 25 - 31, 2016 Montreal, Canada

Caribana Weekend July 28th - July 31, 2016 Toronto, Canada The Toronto Caribbean Carnival Ball July 22, 2016 Toronto, Canada

Griots Republic Vol. 1 Issue 5 May 2016 Cover Image Courtesy of Lakou Mizik Editor in Chief Davita McKelvey Deputy Editor Rodney Goode Copy Editor Alexis Barnes Video Editor Kindred Films Inc. Advertising Brian Blake Brian@GriotsRepublic.com Subscriptions Visit www.GriotsRepublic.com or contact Alexandra Stewart Alexandra@GriotsRepublic.com www.GriotsRepublic.com Email: info@GriotsRepublic.com Mail To: 405 Tarrytown Rd STE 1356, White Plains, NY 10607 Phone: 1 929-277-9290 For Photo Attributions Please Reference the following:

MAY PHOTO ATTRIBUTIONS Published monthly by Griots Republic LLC All Rights Reserved. The views expressed in this magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of Griots Republic.