African Origins of Haitians

Exerpt from a great article on Haiti 360:

"The Africans who came from Africa into Haiti were mainly from the Bight of Benin. The Republic of Benin was known as part of the Dahomey kingdom. Dahomey was a powerful kingdom in the west part of Africa until it was taken over from 1894-1960 by the French. However, before the French took over completely the French were already buying slaves, trading for slaves and shipping them into the Caribbean to be used as slaves."


"... as most scholars would note, most Africans brought to Haiti were of the Yoruba people in Benin. However, this is due to the Dahomey kingdom conquered territories; which were assimilated through intermarriage, uniform laws, and a common tradition of enmity to the Yoruba. The non-Yoruba Africans came from the Kongo and Angola, with most coming from the region in which the Kongo people resided. Be mindful that the Kongo and Angola people were also intermingle with the Yoruba people. In other words the Yoruba people were all over the west part of Africa. If anything, they were considered to be the largest group of people in the west parts of Africa. Although, Haitian descendants come from the same continent, some of the Africans in Haiti were very much from different parts of Africa. Furthermore, mixing the different African tribes with each other, was a tactic used by the French as well as the other Europeans to keep African slaves from revolting or rebelling. For example, if all spoke the same language there would be a higher chance in communicating and revolting; as appose to those who spoke a different languages and possible conflicts already from being in different tribes, would create chaos which gave the European the advantages in control of the Africans."

History of Haitian Creole

Taken from The Haitian Creole Language Institute of New York


The Haitian Creole Language is spoken by over 10 million people, both in Haiti and around the world in many communities of the diaspora . Often stereotyped as a bastardized form of French, there are many who are unaware of the richness of the language and the complex and expressive ways in which it is used.

Some basic facts about Haitian Creole:
•It is an analytic Language which means that separate words are used to indicate tense, plurality, possession, etc.
•Its structure and grammar are based on Fon gbè, a West African family of languages that is still spoken today in Benin, Togo and parts of Ghana and Nigeria.
•Its phonetics (Sounds) are based on French, so the majority of its vocabulary is French in origin. although It is important to note that some definitions may have shifted or changed, so French and Haitian Creole are not mutually intelligible.
•It has historically been an oral language, with a strong tradition of oral histories being passed on from generation to generation.
•Its orthography was only recently standardized, in 1979.
•There are nearly no silent letters in Haitian Creole. It is a highly phonetic language.

Michael Benjamin's "Si m te gen zèl"

Vole, vole...
fly, fly...


Vole, vole keyi zetwal nan syèl
fly, fly, gather the stars in the sky
Vole, m ta vole...
Fly, I would fly...


Si m te gen zèl,
I I had wings,
tankou yon zwazo, m ta vole, al keyi zetwal nan syèl.
like a bird, I would fly , to gather stars in the sky

Si m te lapli,
If I were the rain
Mwen ta jete dlo, pou m wouze flè k pouse anba solèy.
I would drop water to spray the flowers growing under the sun
Si m te lajwa,
If I were joy.
M ta antre nan kè, tout malere pou yo kapab jwenn lespwa.
I would enter the heart of the unfortunates to give them hope.
Si m te lanmou,
If I were love
M ta met ajenou, devan Bondye pou lèzòm kabab sispann goumen.
I would kneel before God so that humanity would stop fighting
Yo ta renmen.
They would love

M ta fè tout mòn blanch yo rebwaze,
I would reforest the barren hills
Tout sous ki seche, rekòmanse koule,
All dried up springs, start flowing again
Si m te gen pouvwa pou mwen chanje,
If I had power to change
Tout sa m dezire.
Whatever I desire

Mwen ta bani tout trayizon,
I would bannish all treason
Tout sa ki malad ta jwenn lagerizon,
All the sick would find healing
Tout sa ta pwouve saj yo te gen rezon.
All that would prove the wise were right

M' ta fè tout sa k' grangou jwenn manje,
I would give food to the hungry
Sa k' nan lesklavaj, ta va jwenn libète,
The captives would go free
Si m te gen pouvwa pou mwen chanje,
If I had power to change
Tout sa m dezire.
Whatever I desire
Mwen ta fè tout zam tounen jwèt,
I would turn weapons into toys
Move zentansyon, santiman disparèt,
corrupt intentions and ambitions disappear
Si m te ka chante pou m chase mechanste
If I could sing to chase away naughtiness

Karabela Dress

A Karabela (or Carabella) dress is a traditional Caribbean dress worn during the quadrille dance, and is worn not just in Haiti. Now people wear them during some cultural dances. Karabela dresses are custom made and can be purchased in downtown Port au Prince or at the Iron Market for $15 to $25. This is the most beautiful one I have seen and I want one just like this for my daughter!

Wòch, Papye, Sizo

With my limited Creole, this seems like a lot to explain. So I might just demonstrate with someone and explain this part:

Who wins:
Ki moun ki genyen Wòch ka kraze Sizo. Sa vle di Wòch bat Sizo Sizo ka koupe Papye. Sa vle di Sizo bat Papye Papye ka kouvri Wòch. Sa vle di Papye bat Wòch

But here are the complete instructions too. Thanks to Mandaly from Sweet Coconuts. I found the translation of how to play Rock, Paper, Scissors here: http://sweetcoconuts.blogspot.com/search?q=%22jw%C3%A8t%22

Wòch Papye Sizo Anpil timoun jwe jwèt sa a pou detèmine kilès kap gen priyorite. Ou gen dwa jwe li pou konnen kilès kap kanpe devan nan yon lin, kilès kap chita devan machin nan, kilès ki premye ap jwenn yon bagay. Goal of the game Bi Jwèt la Jwèt Wòch Papye Sizo a gen twa eleman. Bi jwèt la se pou yon jwè chwazi yon eleman (wòch, papye, oswa sizo) ki ka koule eleman lòt jwè a. To play the game: Pou Jwe Jwèt la: Pou jwe jwèt la, de jwè dwe kanpe fasafas. De jwè yo dwe chwazi ak ki men y’ap jwe, men goch oswa men dwat. Epi de jwè yo dwe fè yon pwen avèk men sa a. Gameplay Jwèt la Jwè yo dwe kòmanse ansanm. Yo kapab konte sou twa pou yo kòmanse ansanm. Jwèt la kòmanse ak: en, de, twa. Jwè yo kenbe pwen yo youn anfas lòt. Epi yo fè yon monte desann pwen yo tankou se kafe yap pile pandan y’ap di ansanm, “Wòch, Papye, Sizo! … ale!” Menm kote yo di “ale” a, chak jwè yo fè yon fòm eleman an ak pwen yo. Fòm wòch la se yon pwen. Fòm Sizo a se yon pwen ak dwèt indèks la e dwèt majè a pwente tankou yon sizo. Fòm Papye a se yon men plat, tankou si ou tap bay lanmen. Who wins Ki moun ki genyen Wòch ka kraze Sizo. Sa vle di Wòch bat Sizo Sizo ka koupe Papye. Sa vle di Sizo bat Papye Papye ka kouvri Wòch. Sa vle di Papye bat Wòch Example: Pa egzanp: Lè de jwè yo di “ale!” a, si yon jwè fè fòm Papye e yon jwè fè fòm Wòch, se jwè ki fè fòm Papye a ki genyen. E si yon jwè fè fòm Papye e lòt la fè fòm Sizo, se jwè ki fè fòm Sizo a ki genyen.

If both players choose the same item:
Si tou de jwè yo chwazi menm eleman Si tou de jwè yo chwazi menm eleman an nan yon jwèt, rekòmanse ankò jiskaske gen yon jwè ki genyen. Bònn Chans!

Alfabè kreyòl 1 / Creole alphabet 1

Se yon nouvo fason pou pwononse alfabè krèyol, men anpil moun pa pwononse li konsa.

Haitian Creole Alphabet Song

Recalling a school-girl's experience in Haiti: When Mandaly Louis-Charles was growing up in Haiti, instruction there was primarily in French, a language largely unfamiliar to most students. Children memorized their ABC's and words and phrases in French, then learned their meanings. “Back then,” remembers Mandaly, “we couldn't escape the monotonous chants of children reciting their lessons by heart, in a school with few dividing walls.” At school, children were forbidden to speak their native Haitian Creole (“Kreyòl”), so they had to memorize, without understanding, texts in a language they barely spoke. If caught speaking Kreyòl, they would be punished, sometimes severely. There has been progress since: Kreyòl is now included in the school curricula, though it is taught as a separate subject, and not integrated into the rest of the curriculum. The recently created Haitian Creole Academy works to promote the use of Haitian Creole in all sectors of society. However, most government communications, including laws and decrees, are still published in French only. (1) DeGraff, Michel, April 28, 2013 “Many Hands Make the Load Lighter”: Haitian Creole and Technology-Enhanced Active Learning Toward Quality Education for All in Haiti

BelO- Banm Nouvèl Ou (PAWOL) new single 2013

BèlO - Banm nouvèl ou

Banm nouvèl ou—

M’ta renmen gen nouvèl ou
Tanpri fèm jwenn nouvel ou ou
Tanpri fèm jwenn nouvel ou ou
Ou ret konsa ou disparèt nan vi’m
Bagay sa a toumante lesprim
Ou pa rele, ou pa menm ekrim
Pa dim lanmou’w gentan enmim mchache nouvel ou,
mrele tout zanmiw m’frite douvan pòt tout fanmiw mwen vle reprann plas mwen nan viw o non mwen pèdi’w Gras o.. map mandew gras o… Mwen sèmante, mptito ranpe Men mwen pap janmè kitew ale banm nouvel ou m’ ta renmen gen nouvel ou tanpri fèm jwenn nouvel ou ou ( plizyè semen gentan passe mwen pa tandew, kote ou ye pa dim lanmouw gentan fane menm si chimen’m paka kwaze yon mezantant fè nou fache s’on move pant, jodia m’ye mal tèt chagren ak kè kase siw pa passe, map trepase Gras o.. map mandew gras o… Mwen sèmante, mptito ranpe Non mwen pap kitew Bridge pa bliyew se fanm lavim, manman’m vye sò’m trezo mwen pesonn paka remplasew, ou’k sel metrès ounfo mwen Wonga negèz mwen 7 kout bagèt mwen Lwa ki nan tèt mwen
Tanpri tounen ooooo, oooo, oooo
Se nan ginenw te ye, se nan ginenw te ye, se nan ginenw te ye Mape chachew mwen pa trouve’w Mape chache’w mwen pa trouve’w
Banm nouvèl ou
M’ta renmen gen nouvèl ou
Tanpri fèm jwenn nouvèl ou ou

BelO - Kachiman (pawol)

REPENTER / SINNER'S PRAYER

Bondye m konnen ou renmen m. E ou te voye pitit gason ou pou mouri pou mwen. Jezi ou te mouri pou peche m yo. Mèsi Jezi! Mwen ba ou tout kè m. Mwen vle pou ou viv nan kè m. Ede m Jezi pou m ka sèvi w. E fè tout sa w vle. Aprann mwen kijan pou m renmen ou. Mèsi Jezi! Amen. God, I know You love me. And You sent Your son to die for me. Jesus, You died for my sins. Thank You, Jesus! I give You all my heart. I want for You to live in my heart. Help me, Jesus, to be able to serve You. And do all that You desire. Teach me how to love You. Thank You, Jesus. Amen.

Tèt, zepòl, jenou, zòtèy

Head and Shoulders, Knees and Toes     Tèt, zepòl, jenou, zòtèy, jenou, zòtèy Tèt, zepòl, jenou, zòtèy, jenou, zòtèy Je, nen, bouch, zòrèy Tèt, zepòl, jenou, zòtèy, jenou, zòtèy   Head, shoulders, knees, toes, knees, toes. Head, shoulders, knees, toes, knees, toes. Eyes, nose, mouth, ears Head, shoulders, knees, toes, knees, toes.   (Kote tou de men sou pati kò sa yo mansyone. Sou dezyèm jou an leve kanpe, epi jwenn lwa ak Kouplè chak.)

 

(Place both hands on parts of body as they are mentioned. On second time speed up, and get faster with each verse.)

Can also be sung to the tune of “London Bridges”

Rock Kreyol - Gotta love it!

Anmwey by Yohann

Ayiti gen ragga Kreyòl

Ayiti gen hiphop Kreyòl

Ayiti gen reggae kreyol

Ayiti, men nouvo stil la

Fason nou manje se stil la

Fason n’abiye se stil la

Fason nou chante se stil la

Ayiti cheri

Nou monte Wo!

Anmwey!

Apre evènman, nou tounen pou tout bon

N di mèsi, nou toujou douvan, chaje enspirasyon

Menm lè moun ap pale, jenès la apiye n

Kout gita bas batri, nou …pou lavi

Chak moun gen yon zanmi ki di l pa renmen rock

W’ap wè l nan pwogram nou k’ap goumen devan pòt

Le ou wè’ l pèdi vwa l mande l kote l te ye

Ou te wè’l nan fon pwogram nan, li menm k’ap rele

Gade lè l non!

Anmwey! Kite rock la mache!

Anmwey! Danse rock la! Ponpe!

M poko fin pale

Mwen p’ap janm konprann ou

Lè w di m rock la pa pou ou

Pou w jan pran plezi ou

Lè n lage mizik nou

Lè mwen di li pou ou

Ou di w gen yon zanmi ki di l pa renmen rock

W’ap wè’l nan pwogram nou k’ap goumen devan pòt

Le ou wè pèdi vwa l , mande’l kote l te ye

Ou te wè’l nan fon pwogram nan li menm k’ap rele

Ou pa wè’l

Amwey! Kite rock la mache!

Anmwey! Danse rock la! Ponpe!

Ayiti, men rock, si nou tout dakò, rele!

Leve men n anlè, tout moun fè bri

Ti medam yo, mayestwo ak Yohann ki la

Pa bezwen danse, ponpe pou n ponpe!

Ou di w pa konn danse

M’pa’t mande ou fè anpil

Tout sa m te mande’w

Se lage’l jan ou santi’l

Amwey! Kite rock la mache!

Anmwey! Danse rock la! Ponpe!

Vole!

Ponpe!

Rele!

Fè sa w vle!

Pawol Lakay: Haitian-Creole Language and Culture for Beginner and Intermediate Learners (Creole Edition)

I just received this big (473 page) book and 3 CDs. It was hard to find something for an intermediate level and with CDs so I can listen in the car.  So far I really like it.  Even the very beginning is not too easy for an intermediate learner - it has new information and vocabulary from the first lesson.  It seems to approach learning from a conversational and practical perspective and through emersion.  Uses Haitian Creole speakers and the lessons are as though you were taking a formal high school or college language course.  It's definitely for adults though, as it has mathmatics questions as a way to learn numbers, and history and social information as part of language learning.  Love it so far! 




The best price I found was on Amazon for $33 including  the big book and 3 CDs:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/1584326875/ref=tsm_1_fb_lk

Kreyol Dictionary

This is the most complete English/Kreyol dictionary I've found on-line so far:  Kreyol Dictionary

Jacmel

There are so many beautiful places in Jacmel.  I want to go there just to stay in these hotels.  This is Hotel Florita and it has as much character on the inside as out. 
Photos of Hotel Florita, 29 Rue Du Commerce, 911HT Jacmel, Haiti

Survival Creole by Bryant Freeman

Another free printable Haitian Creole/English phrase book.  No words misspelled in this one!  Includes many Haitian proverbs too. 

Survival Creole

Things to do in Haiti in and around Port au Prince

From Haiti Hub's "Top 12 Ways to Avoid Burn Out" (April 2015)

Go to the Clay Café inside the Papillon Store and have one of their famous real fruit smoothies. Iced coffees, smoothies, and other goodies are available at this fun, innovative Delmas 75 spot.
http://www.apparentproject.org/shop/4572681142
#16 Rue Cassagnoll Prolongee off of Delmas 75 in Port Au Prince
+509-3194-1267

Jewelry can also be ordered online from Apparent Project.  This is the necklace I want.  Reminds me of the necklaces Bones (from one of my favorite shows) wears. 



Go to the UN Logistics Base for a drink, snack, or meal
The UN Log base on Blvd. Toussaint Louverture right next to the PaP airport houses two small restaurants: The Deck Grill and Haiku Sushi Bar which are open to the public. Bring ID to enter the base. It’s cheap enough to make a weekly habit and if you live in PaP, odds are you pass the airport often enough.

Tour Parc Canne-a-Sucre (the sugarcane park) in Tabarre
Just down the road from the US Embassy, the sugarcane park is a popular, outdoor music venue that’s
also open to the public when events are not happening. Walk the grounds and see old plantation
equipment including a restored train. A menu of snacks and drinks are available in addition to buffet options.

Let your kids burn some energy at O Cases
O Cases is an innovative Petionville restaurant concept. Three huts serve affordable chicken, sub
sandwiches, and ice cream. The layout is so family friendly that on weekends they set up a bounce
house that is ALWAYS a hit with kids.
http://www.manmanpemba.com/ocases/

Escape the heat at the Baptist Mission
The Baptist Mission above Petionville (take Route Kenscoff south out of Petionville) has a large gift shop and courtyard-style restaurant offering hot dogs, hamburgers, and ice cream. A good stop even for larger groups. And the best part is that the Mission is usually 10+ degrees cooler than the rest of Port au Prince below!

Enjoy the view and a snack at Observatoire
The Observatoire restaurant just above Petionville (along Route Kenscoff before the hard turn to the South towards Baptist Mission) overlooks Port au Prince below. The view is breathtaking both during the day and at night. Average $15 for a full meal and a drink. Much less for just a snack.
http://www.manmanpemba.com/observatoire/

Pools you can use in Port au Prince

 I love this list of pools from Haiti Hub, "The Top 12 Ways to Avoid Burn Out"
http://www.haitihub.com/avoiding-burnout-in-haiti/

(Updated April 2015 - please check ahead!) 

Pools you can use in Port au Prince (just bring a suit and towel!):

Hotel Oloffson – pool use is free with any food order
Address: Ave Christophe #60, Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Phone: 509-3810-4000
Email: Oloffson.reservation@gmail.com
Website: http://hoteloloffson.com/

Habitation Hatt – $8 for pool use
Address: Airport Road – Entree A & B Hatt II, Port Au Prince, Haiti
Phone: +509-3452-9480, +509-2940-0135
Email: lamermotel@bellsouth.net
Website: http://www.habitationhatt.com/

Visa Lodge – $10 for pool use
Address: Route des Nîmes, Port-au-Prince, HAITI
Phone: +509-2813-0777, +509-2812-2814, 509-2812-2815
Email: services@visalodge.com
Website: http://www.visalodge.com/

Hotel Montana – pool use is “free” with the an expected $25 food order (this minimum is not always enforced)
Address: RUE FRANK CARDOZO , 6119, Petionville, PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI
Phone: +509-2940-0584, +509-3880-6610
Email: reservation@hotelmontanahaiti.com
Website: http://www.hotelmontanahaiti.com/

Hotel Karibe – $30 for pool use but the full amount is credited to you for any food and drinks up to $30
Address: Juvenat 7, Port -au-Prince, Petionville, Haiti
Phone: +509-2812-7000, 1-800-615-6377, 1-305-677-2017
Email: info@karibehotel.com
Website: http://www.karibehotel.com/

Basic Creole, Vol. 1. New Missions.

This has some very good conversational Haitian Creole phrases and beginning lessons.  I thought it would be a good resource to bring to Haiti for Haitian Creole speakers who want to learn English, since it is a free printable resource.  However, I believe many of the Creole words are mispelled.  I'm still learning though...what do you think?   New Missions Basic Creole

Tonton Bouki

Tonton Bouki

Tonton Bouki, Tonton Bouki,
Ou ap dòmi? Ou ap dòmi?
Lévé pou bat tanbou-a, Lévé pou bat tanbou-a
Ding ding dong ! Ding ding dong !

Uncle Bouki

Uncle Bouki, Uncle Bouki
Are you sleeping? Are you sleeping?
Get up to play the drum, get up to play the drum
Ding, ding, dong! Ding, ding, dong!