a1949: It's Haiti's time to shine during month of festivities (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: leonie hermantin <lhermantin@hotmail.com>

Posted on Mon, May. 06, 2002

It's Haiti's time to shine during month of festivities
BY ANABELLE de GALE
adegale@herald.com

Visit Haiti's white- and black-sand beaches fringed with leaning palms.
Wander through its green valleys and glimpse the sugar cane, cocoa and
cotton fields. Tour the country's French colonial architecture and the city
of Jacmel's Victorian gingerbread homes. Learn its history, taste its food
and get to know its people.

The monthlong journey doesn't require a suitcase and costs no more than
time.

Throughout May -- Haitian Cultural Heritage Month -- Haitian Americans are
inviting South Floridians to experience their homeland through art exhibits,
poetry readings, dance performances and more.

While their influence can be found in the French or Creole names of
Miami-Dade's schools, stores and restaurants -- Toussaint L'Overture
Elementary, La Patisserie, Planet Kreyol, Le Griot and Le Roseau -- many
Haitian Americans say their heritage is for the most part unknown, or worse
-- misunderstood.

''We are more than boat people,'' said Marleine Bastien, founder and
executive director of Haitian Women of Miami. ``People hear Haiti and think
dictatorships, poverty and political instability. There is another side to
be known. Very few people know about our contributions.''

Exactly how many of the island transplants are living in Miami-Dade is
unknown. In the most recent census figures, Haitians are not counted as a
separate group. Now in its second year, Haitian Cultural Heritage month will
take shape across Miami-Dade in libraries, schools, galleries, theaters and
elsewhere.

Organizers want the community to learn to dance Haiti's congo as well as
they move to Cuba's conga. Crave their spicy cuisine of griyo and llambi --
fried pork and conch -- the way South Floridians can't get enough of arroz
con pollo. They want you to know the colors of their flag, appreciate their
bright oil paintings and recognize the beat of Haiti's tanbou drums.

''When we came up with the idea, people wanted to know why we needed it when
we already had a Black History Month,'' said Dr. Rosy Toussaint, president
of the Haitian American Cultural Society, which is sponsoring the even with
with Miami-Dade County. ``Yes we are both black, but our culture is
different, and we want to show that.

''We have always been the underdog in Florida. We want to be accepted and
the way to do that is by having other people become familiar with our
culture,'' Toussaint said. ``Especially now that we have Haitians going into
the political arena, we need people to know who we are.''

Last year, North Miami Mayor Josaphat ''Joe'' Celestin became the first
Haitian-American mayor of a large Miami-Dade city.

The monthlong celebration will even reach into the county's classrooms,
including North Miami Senior High, where principal Charles Hankerson said 75
percent of the 3,100 students are Haitian.

''It is important for our students to have a connection with their
culture,'' he said. ``It will go a long way in not only bringing our student
body together, but the community at large.''

Throughout the month, Haitian historians will share their past with the
public through film festivals, book readings and lectures. They'll tell
stories about Toussaint L'Overture, a Haitian slave who emerged as a leader
in his efforts to win Haiti's freedom.

Sunday, the Caribbean country's immigrants celebrated Zakafest, Haiti's
equivalent to Labor Day.

The holiday honors harvest and other workers in observance of the birth of
the deity Kouzen Zaka, the spirit of agriculture.

Artist and musician Rara Kuyu, who performed djouba-style music with the
Zakam band at the event , hopes Haitian Cultural Heritage Month will help
combat American misconceptions about Haiti's folk religion.

''What they show in Hollywood is just not accurate,'' Kuyu said. ``We want
to get past the ignorance.

''It's a beginning,'' Kuyu said. ``This is for everybody. Come out and get
to know our island and its traditions.''

For more information about Haitian Cultural Heritage Month events, call its
hot line at 305-365-6490.





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