Culture

Haiti can be a rewarding but challenging tourism destination.  Having an organization to help with logistics and orientation during the first visit can be helpful. The Kiskeya Guest House in Leogane, in addition to offering a nice place to stay outside of Port au Prince, now offers tours that celebrate Haiti's cultural traditions with an emphasis on Port au Prince, Jacmel and Cap Haitien.  Haitian anthropologist Jean-Yves Blot an Professor Erold Saint-Louis will lead the various trips and Haitian Creole immersion programs.  The agenda for their "Cultural and Mystical Haiti" tour follows.  Note:  The Kiskeya Guest House is associated with Kiskeya Aqua Ferme, a community initiative devoted to raising tilapia and growing cassava, hot peppers, and sweet potatos. 

Lee Rainboth recently wrote a blog about a Travel Channel series called Dangerous Grounds, an episode of which was shot in Haiti.  Due to the cultural insensitivity of the crew, the episode suggests Haitians are dangerous and unpredictable.  In reality, Carmichael is just another fly-by-night visitor who didn't take the time to understand Haitian culture.  In reality, Haitians are remarkably hospitable and go out of their way to help strangers.  That having been said, Haitian coffee is excellent and well worth seeking out.      

Below is a guest blog by Raynald Leconte, Chairman of the Haitian Cultural Foundation (HCF).  HCF has produced a documentary about Haitian art entitled "In The Eye of the Spiral" with commentary by some of Haiti’s most important living artists.  Haitian art is so expansive that it can be difficult to describe adequately.  To paraphrase the artists: “Chaos is the reality of life…there are few places in the world with as much chaos and artistic devotion as Haiti… creativity is our wealth”.  Check out the documentary and HCF as well.  Thanks!