Haitians trek to sacred waterfalls in Voodoo festival
Jul. 16, 2016 7:37 PM EDT
SAUT D'EAU, Haiti (AP) — Some carrying candles or calabash bowls with offerings of goat meat, thousands of Haitians made a Saturday pilgrimage to bathe in sacred waterfalls and pray for everything from a good harvest to an end to Haiti's chronic political dysfunction.
A mix of Voodoo and Christian faithful along with a cohort of young, hard-partying revelers gathered in the rushing waters of Saut d'Eau, where they scrubbed their bodies with aromatic leaves and soap. It was the final day of this year's annual three-day festival.
A number of impoverished Haitians made long treks by foot, motorbike or crammed into the back of pickup trucks to reach the 100-tall foot falls, surrounded by white candles placed in moss and tree stumps.
A group of subsistence farmers from the coastal town of Arcahaie spent their meager savings to travel to the falls clad in their best clothes for Voodoo rituals: purple dresses with a red collar for the women and white shirts and pants for the men.
"I've come to put my sickness in the water and gain fresh luck," said Dieudeaue Beauvil, who says she's been struggling with a mysterious malady.
There were no shortage of younger Haitians who came mostly for a good time, drinking shots of homemade moonshine and flirting in the waters.
But many took their prayers seriously, tossing their soaked clothing into the water in a symbolic shedding of their old self. Some shook spastically when the spirits overtook them.
Haitian-American social worker Andrea Bellevue was lured from Boston to seek help from Erzulie, a spirit god of love in Voodoo, or Vodou.
"Whenever you come to her and ask her for something you shall receive," said the Boston resident as she and many others stripped to their underwear and scrubbed their bodies with leaves.
In the nearby town of Saut d'Eau, pilgrims converged on the local church to pray to the Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel, closely associated with the Voodoo goddess of Erzulie. Saut d'Eau's mystique owes to a 19th century legend that an image of the virgin appeared in the waterfalls.
Voodoo evolved in the 17th century from African slaves. French colonizers forced them to practice Roman Catholicism, but many remained loyal to their African religions in secret by adopting Catholic saints to coincide with African spirits. The Voodoo religion has long been central to Haitian life.
The Department of State has issued this Travel Warning to inform U.S. citizens traveling to or living in Haiti about the lack of adequate emergency medical facilities, and the security environment in Haiti.
Haiti Travel Warning
LAST UPDATED: JULY 18, 2016
Haiti’s emergency response network, along with the continued presence of serious crime and civil unrest, should be carefully considered when planning travel.This replaces the Travel Warning dated August 5, 2015 and provides updated information regarding the changing nature of crime involving United States citizens in Haiti.
Emergency Response: Medical care infrastructure, including road ambulance and other emergency services, is very limited in Haiti. Some U.S. citizens injured in accidents and others with serious health concerns have been unable to find necessary medical care in Haiti and have had to arrange and pay for medical evacuation to the United States. We strongly encourage travelers to Haiti to obtain medical evacuation insurance prior to arrival in country and to use evacuation organizations that have solid evacuation and medical support options in place. Moreover, those traveling in rural areas of Haiti should verify their evacuation organization provides service to where they are traveling.
Crime: Reports of kidnappings of U.S. citizens have fallen off sharply, with few incidents reported to the Embassy in 2016, but kidnapping for ransom can still affect anyone in Haiti, most particularly those maintaining long-term residency in the country. Armed robbery is a very real possibility, especially in the Port-au-Prince area and in particular soon after leaving the airport. Be circumspect in sharing specific travel plans; have your host or organization meet you at the airport upon arrival; and/or have pre-arranged airport transfers and hotels. Exercise caution when visiting banks in Port-au-Prince. Robbery crews have been known to survey banks and rob customers as they exit. Fewer incidents of crime are reported outside of Port-Au-Prince, but Haitian authorities' ability to respond to emergencies is limited and in some areas nonexistent.
Embassy employees are required to adhere to all security and safety measures of the Embassy’s Regional Security Office when traveling outside of Port-au-Prince, as well as restrictions on travel in certain areas or times. U.S. Embassy personnel are under an Embassy-imposed curfew from 1:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. and must remain at home or another safe facility during curfew hours. This may constrain the Embassy’s ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens outside of Port-au-Prince or regular business hours. Additionally, in Port-au-Prince and other cities, U.S. Embassy employees are advised not to walk in any area but rather drive to a destination and park as close as possible, choosing guarded or interior parking lots. This includes Petionville, an area of metropolitan Port-au-Prince of upscale hotels, shopping and restaurants frequented by residents and visitors. For additional details on restrictions on staff travel within Haiti, please see our Country Specific Information for Haiti.
Civil Unrest: Protests, including road and bridge blockages, are frequent and often spontaneous. The Haitian National Police (HNP), with assistance from the United Nations’ Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), is responsible for maintaining order and rendering assistance. However, the HNP’s ability to assist U.S. citizens during disturbances is limited. U.S. government-facilitated evacuations, such as the evacuation that took place from Haiti in 2010, occur only when no safe commercial alternatives exist. Please see our website for additional information on how the Department of State assists U.S. citizens during a crisis.
We urge U.S. citizens who choose to travel to Haiti to review our Country Specific Information page. U.S. private sector organizations with operations in Haiti can obtain additional information on the security situation in the country through the U.S. Department of State’s Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC). OSAC’s mission is to promote security cooperation between U.S. private sector interests worldwide and the U.S. Department of State. OSAC also maintains an active Country Council in Haiti to promote the exchange of security-related information. The Council is comprised of security professionals and is co-chaired by the Regional Security Officer at the U.S. Embassy Port-au-Prince and a private sector representative. U.S. private sector entities can obtain additional information on OSAC by visiting the OSAC website.
We strongly urge U.S. citizens to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) in order to receive the most up-to-date security information. While the Embassy's ability to provide emergency consular services is extremely limited, travel enrollment will enable you to receive security messages via email. Current information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States; callers outside the United States and Canada can receive the information by calling a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, except U.S. federal holidays.
The U.S. Embassy is located in Port-au-Prince at Boulevard du 15 Octobre, Tabarre 41, Tabarre, Haiti, telephone: (509) 2229-8000, facsimile: (509) 2229-8027, email: //travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings/
The Cholera Epidemic the U.N. Left Behind in Haiti
By THE EDITORIAL BOARD/THE NEW YORK TIMES
JULY 6, 2016
As Haitians were reeling from the devastating Jan. 12, 2010, earthquake, United Nations peacekeepers inadvertently compounded their troubles by bringing cholera to the island. Roughly 10,000 Haitians have died from the disease, which spreads easily in places with poor sanitation.
The United Nations hasn’t acknowledged its responsibility and has vigorously fought legal efforts to secure compensation for victims. This is reminiscent of its slow response to allegations that peacekeepers in Africa had sexually abused scores of minors.
Last week, a bipartisan group of 158 members of Congress urged Secretary of State John Kerry to put pressure on the United Nations to mount an effective response against cholera and to compensate people who have been affected. “Each day that passes without an appropriate U.N. response is a tragedy for Haitian cholera victims and a stain on the U.N.’s reputation,” the lawmakers wrote.
Unless there is a dramatic change in approach, the epidemic will damage the legacy of Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, who will leave his post at the end of the year. There are basic steps he can take before then.
Haiti Special Coordinator Merten Travel to Haiti
Haiti Special Coordinator Kenneth Merten travels to Haiti, July 21, to further U.S. government support for credible and fair elections in Haiti and to discuss the urgent need for elected representatives at all levels of government. Haiti Special Coordinator Merten will meet with members of the Provisional Electoral Council and other stakeholders key to a return of constitutional order in Haiti.
The United States is committed to Haiti’s long-term democratic development and to retaining its vital humanitarian and development programs that help the Haitian people improve their lives.
The "Core Group" deeply regrets that the National Assembly was unable to deliberate on the provisional governance arrangements and urges the completion of the electoral process
Port-au-Prince, July 15, 2016 - The Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations and other members of the "Core Group" (the Ambassadors of Brazil, Canada, Spain, France, United States of America, the European Union and the Special Representative of the Organization of American States) deeply regret that for the fourth time in as many weeks, the National Assembly was unable to deliberate on the provisional governance arrangements at the helm of the State in accordance with Article 7 of the 5 February 2016 Agreement due to the absence of a number of parliamentarians leading to a lack of a quorum.
Haiti continues to face serious long-term socio-economic and humanitarian challenges. These challenges cannot be fully addressed in an environment of institutional instability. Therefore, the “Core Group” once again calls on Parliamentarians to resume the session of the National Assembly and to take action to end the uncertainty that prevails.
Reiterating the need to return to constitutional order, the “Core Group” urges all actors to ensure the completion of the electoral process.
Haiti - Tourism: the Montana Hotel will be revived out of its rubble
Sisters Nadine Cardozo-Riedl and Garthe Cardozo, respectively 63 and 70 year old, managed the Montana hotel, built by their father in 1946 in Petion-ville. When the earthquake of January 12th, 2010 occurred, the luxurious hotel with 142 rooms and 42 studios, distributed over 5 floors, collapsed, and became in a few seconds the gravesite of its 200 occupants.
Nadine Cardozo Riedl was in her office at the Hotel when the ground shook. Buried alive, she was rescued from the ruins a hundred hours after the disaster. She had been a victim of kidnapping in November 2004, and was released for a ransom after having been held captive for eight days. The Montana Hotel recovered from a spectacular invasion orchestrated by the supporters of President Preval in January, 2006. The Nobel Peace Prize winner, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who was staying at the hotel, had to call for calm from the window of his room.
The Cardozo sisters seem indestructible. Moreover, according to the German magazine "Bild", the sisters are tireless and just as determined to rebuild the Montana hotel, or rather to build a new hotel complex to include luxurious chalets within vast green spaces. This would be a vision of a slice of heaven in the middle of a field of ruins.
LIST OF MAJOR HAITIAN POLITICAL PARTIES AND THEIR PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES
JULY 2016
1) AAA (Ayiti An Aksyon) Youri Latortue
2) Bouclier (Réseau Bouclier National) Steeve Kahwly
3) KID (Konvansyon Inite Demokratik) Evens Paul
4) PHTK (Pati Haïtien Tèt Kale) Jovenel Moïse
5) CANAAN Jean-Chavannes Jeune
6) FL (Fanmi Lavalas) Maryse Narcisse
7) FSD (Parti Fusion des Sociax-Démocrates) Edmonde Supplice Beauzile
8) LAPEH (Ligue Alternative pour le Progrès et l’Émancipation) Jude Céléstin
9) MAS (Mouvement Action Socialiste) Eric Jean-Baptiste
10) OPL (Òganizasyon Pèp kap Lite) Sauveur Pierre Etienne
11) PPD (Platfòm Pitit Desalin) Jean-Charles Moïse
12) RA (Renmen Ayiti) Jean Henry Céant
13) UNIR (Union Nationale pour l’Intégrité et la Réconciliation) Jean Clarens Renois
NB: Except for KID’s Paul, AAA’s Latortue, OPL’s Pierre Etienne and MAS’s Jean-Baptiste, the others are registered (7 candidates, in bold letters) as candidates for the presidential election on October 9, 2016. The top 4 parties listed are affiliated with Martelly’s PHTK. A total of 27 candidates are registered for that election. Jean-Baptiste and Pierre Etienne back Céléstin; Latortue and Paul back J. Moïse.
After 15 years of experience in the musical arena: CARIMI band is no more
NEW YORK, Monday, July 18 2016 - After 15 years of experience in the musical rhythm of Nemours Jean Baptiste, the group CARIMI was dissolved following the decision of their lead singer, Mickael Guirand, who decided to leave the band.
Therefore, other members of the group, in a note on July 18, announced the end of their collaboration.
On July 11, 2016, Mickael Guirand informed the group that he would permanently be unavailable for all future performances. After receiving the news, the group got together and had to make a decision that affects all of us, and of course, all of you, our fans. Our decision is as follows.
Like every great story that must come to an end, after 15 years, the CaRiMi era has ended. On the way, we had the pleasure of meeting some amazing members of the media sponsors, and we have built great friendships. The brand that is CaRiMi could not be created without the blood, sweat and tears of countless people, including, but not limited to, our original members and current members: Steve, Noldy, Stanley, Shedly, Glenny, Richard Carlo, Gregory, John Raymond, Ti Joel, Tania, Jeff, John, Mikaben, Mica, Ti Marco, Alex, Julio, and last but not least Mickael Guirand.
Nobody knows what the future holds for anyone, but I personally want to wish each member of the group the best moving forward. Please know that wherever the road may lead, you will always have my support and full assistance. Developers around the world and fans around the world have helped us become who we are and without them we would have been nothing. For them, I have to tell you, I will personally reach out to all the developers who currently scheduled dates with CaRiMi individually. This is not to anything that was expected or planned, but we have reached the end of the road for our fans. There are no words to express how your love and encouragement kept us in life, and made us work harder and harder for you.
We can only hope that our music will live on in your hearts and CaRiMi managed to bring you as much joy as you have given us the last 15 years.
Feed the Future Haiti Chanje Lavi Plantè
With the aim of introducing organic farming in Haiti, the project Feed the future Haiti Chanje Lavi Plantè, in association with the Foundation Wynne for the Environment, is currently leading a week-long workshop in Kenscoff on the cultural best practice for organic agricultural production.
During this training Lahcen Kenny, an international expert from Morocco, will help 30 participants learn, among other things, about the techniques to prepare the soil, the use of organic fertilization, the economic and commercial aspects of organic farming, and the standards/regulations to have the organic certification at the international level.
With this certification, farmers could sell these products at a higher cost. The participants are mainly from farmers' associations of the Kenscoff region. They can later pass on their knowledge to other members of the community.
Delice, Rice from the Artibonite
Thanks to a modern and hygienic transformation process rice from the Artibonite is now available in supermarkets in Port-au-Prince under the label Delice. Let us consume local goods and encourage national productions.