ABOUT HAITI 

CULTURE

Haiti’s culture was formed from a mix of European, African, and Caribbean-American influences.  These influences quickly replaced the customs of the original population of Taino Indians, who inhabited Haiti before the arrival of Europeans and Africans.

Haiti is considered a third-world country: the majority of the population is very materially poor and highly urbanized.  It has struggled economically after winning its independence and has yet to find a solution to the growing social and political problems.  With constant unrest and upheaval in these areas Haiti still finds itself at the bottom of the economic power in the Western Hemisphere.

Haiti’s population is approximately over 10 million.  The population consists mainly of people of African descent.  With over three hundred people per square kilometer, the country is among the most densely populated areas of the Western Hemisphere.  Much of the population lives in rural areas and depends heavily on agriculture.

Haiti is an independent republic of the Caribbean, occupying the western third of the island of Hispaniola.  Its neighbor, the Dominican Republic, occupies the eastern two-thirds of the island.  On the western side, Haiti faces the island of Cuba, separated from it by the Windward Passage.  The northern and southern coastlines are on the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, respectively.

Haiti’s capital city, Port-au-Prince, is the largest international port for external and internal commerce.  All other major cities of Haiti are located on the coastline.

RELIGION 

The national religion of Haiti is Roman Catholicism, though the Protestant religion is also prominent. Many of its people also engage in “vodun”, or voodoo, practices.  In the past voodoo has been one of the most-known features of Haiti and has gained it an image of being a country of sorcery and zombies.  Rituals commemorating the lwa (spirits), lucky events, births and deaths involve dancing, drumming and spirit possessions.  Ceremonies are also performed to gain a lwa’s favor: perhaps to heal disease or end a run of bad luck, and may include offerings of food, toys and even animal sacrifice

CURRENCY

The gourde (HTG) is the currency in use in Haiti, although the U.S. dollar is traded freely in many situations.  Throughout most of the twentieth century, the gourde was fixed to the U.S. dollar at a rate of five to one; five gourdes, therefore, became known as “one Haitian dollar”, and was usually also equivalent to one US dollar.  Since 1991 the rates have been allowed to float.  Currently they vary from 100 HTG to 125 HTG for US $1.00.  (thus 20 or 25 “Haitian dollars” are equivalent to US $1.00.)  

TRAVEL

Public transportation is the primary mode of travel in Haiti.  In and between cities most of these vehicles are converted pick-up trucks known as “taptaps”, or motorcycles.  For longer trips buses and larger trucks are available that follow certain designated routes.  All are usually colorfully decorated with proverbs, Biblical verses, and political slogans.

There are few regional airports, all of which have flights to major city airports.  The main international airport, Toussaint Louverture International Airport, is in the capital city of Port-au-Prince.  Private and/or missionary planes may receive authorization to land at secondary airports.  Landings have to be pre-arranged and authorization secured through the aviation authorities.

SHOPPING

The streets are overflowing with private shops and marketplaces where merchants of all sorts display their mix of local and imported wares.  Most items for sale are food, housewares, supplies, and clothing. There are no fixed prices or uniform selling practices in Haiti.  Prices vary from neighborhood to neighborhood and from merchant to merchant.  The norm is bargaining, and returning merchandise is rarely an option.  Merchants are usually mobile and move from place to place.

HEALTHCARE

The public health system remains in disarray. The private health care sector has developed in recent years, but most in poverty-stricken Haiti cannot afford to pay the fees charged for services, which are normally required up-front. With the public health system underfunded and understaffed, patients often have nowhere to turn but to free clinics run by private organizations and missions groups.  Unfortunately, most of these free clinics are reporting bed occupation rates at 100 % at all times and often the staff have no choice but to refer patients to public health facilities that they know are inadequate.  There is no health insurance, and pharmacies are also privately run. Many of the Haitian people turn to “leaf doctors” and herbal remedies instead of clinics and hospitals.

CREOLE – THE HAITIAN LANGUAGE

French is the national religion of Haiti, though the average Haitian cannot read or speak it.  Haitian Creole is used for everyday interaction and is known and understood by the majority of the population.  Although the main language of instruction is French, recent changes have given Haitian Creole a more prominent status by requiring its use in schools.  More recently English has become commonplace in the country, due to the regular interaction with travelers and missionaries from the United States.

Review useful and popular words and phrases here.