It's Mardi Gras in Haiti, day of the Biggest Street Party

March 4, 2014 2:10 PM

It's Mardi Gras in Haiti, when Millions of Haitian Diasporas come to join the annual celebration. It is a time when everyone has the equal opportunity to have fun and enjoy. Haiti has a very rich multifarious cultural heritage with roots of French, Spanish, Taino and African traditions under influence of Caribbean practices. Haitians respect voodoo beliefs which although do not incorporate with the foreign tourists but they do come in Haiti during the carnivals to experience some of its practices. Every year, immediately following the New Year celebration, Haiti Carnival becomes the centre of attraction for peoples' existence-- a celebration of life, the festivities burst on to the streets of the Haitian towns.

AVILI YO - DJAKOUT #1

Carnivals in Haiti are never free from political influence. However, there are many songs sang on sex, gossip and community scandals, mockery of well known personalities which you cannot speak or act in public--but Carnivals are no bar, you can say anything openly in Carnival songs. Religion, music and ideas of political freedom are deeply rooted in Haitian society.

During the U.S Occupation in 1915, a song was made on some issues of marital problems by a U.S. commander. The commander's wife did not know how to wash and iron. The song was an instant hit in the Carnival. Its words go like that--"Angelica, Angelica, go on back to your mother's house" ("Anjeliko, Anjeliko, ale kay manman ou").

T-vice Skandal Kanaval 2014

The first Haitian band (Webert Sicot) was appeared in the Carnival of 1967. Gradually many others came out to perform like Nemours, Les Gypsies, Sheu-Shleu, Les Difficiles, etc. Today, the Carnival means rivalries and competitions among many popular Haitian musical bands such as King Passy, Djakout Number one, T-Vice, Krezy and many others. It is a good time for every business as well.

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