This for all the Haiti posters on the Dominican Today site. Please describe condiitons for us in Haiti. How is it day to day. As many Dominicans have never been to Haiti and don't consider Haiti a preferential place to visit due to all the negative publicity. I ask our Haitian brothers to bring us some insight to the Haitian culture that most Dominicans are not aware of.

How is living in Haiti? Culture? Traditions? People? Historical monuments? Picture?

Enlighten us.

Its not like Haiti is a war-torn miserable country my friend. There's a difference between unfortunate and destitute and "miserable". Haiti is the not in the least bit miserable. Haiti is a very proud and passionate country not to exclude friendly. The country has many many problems for sure yet is very rich in history and culture. For the small yet growing middle class (and of course the rich), life ranges from great to luxurious. Even the poor have a sense of fatalism and though not pleased, accept their situations which often prevents depression from taking over communities. Haitians always retain a sense of friendliness and despite their circumstances, will wave and smile when smiled at. Though very different from the Dominican Republic in several ways it is also quite similar (despite those that hate this fact). Haitians eat rice, plaintains, goat, chicken, eggs, stews and soups, yams, cassava and etc. Haitians drink fruit juice, beer, soda, other alcoholic beverages. We travel using crude pickups as buses called tap-taps and with privately-owned motorcycles called 'taximotos" (motoconcho in the D.R). Haitians are gifted with an innate sense of artistic design. We have much that we dislike talking about and much to not be proud of yet we stand proud at all times and always point out the positives that our country is so full of (because it is rarely talked about). Haiti is home to the most marvelous historical structure in the Caribbean (Citadelle) and sometimes considered for the 8th Wonder of the World. This is excluding the Sans Souci Palace of course (another historical marvel). We have our prized rum (Barbancourt) and although our soccer team has been up and down for decades we have at least reached the World Cup in 1974 (one of about three or so Caribbean teams to do so). Haitians are one of the most pan-American people in the region having fought and died in the American Revolution and have contributed to the US independence (although they have spit on us in return), the South American independence movement with Simon Bolivar, and graciously hosting Bolivar, Miranda, and Betances (Puerto Rican Independence Movement). Haiti is quite conservative in its family values and the only reason such a high percentage of the population is illiterate is because many families can't afford to send their children to school. Haiti has a vibrant and increasingly recognizable and famous carnival season as well.

THE GREATEST VIDEO CILP FOR HAITI AND DR RIGHT HERE:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jcl71BD7fgA

Is DR is the Rhino or the Dog, or Is Haiti the Rhino or the Dog?
Either or whichever way you guys think fits us or can relate best. Point is here is the best video and National Anthem for the Island.

Damn Hispanolano. How many times are you going to post the same link? I though it was funny the first time I saw it, like 3 or 4 years ago.

El tigere se pasa de contento. jajaja....

"El tigere se pasa de contento. jajaja...."

Tanto alegria a cuenta de na'..lol..at least he keeps himself entertained...

Im going to start of with music sense this is one genre that people can appreciate without understanding the language.


Emeline Michel folklore haitian musician that represents the essence of haitian culture and known around the world. Beautiful all around.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qn7hHwISric

Haitian Compas old school that was sh__. If you don't have goose bumps and grab your woman and tell her sorry for being naive and big her to take you back..La necesito..jajjajaj..ya tu sabes..Oh my God everytime I here this I get emotional..This is compas and well never be so sweet and never duplicated. This song was the national anthem for mujeriegos..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEZ49GnFnik


Tabou Combo one the kings of compas.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7whWlWXJ8I&feature=related

Modern Compas music.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7whWlWXJ8I&feature=related


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOyb8vL11Yw

This is new old school..This song saved me many times..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7fvLLCebOs

Ok enjoy then once you soak this haitian music in we can elaborate on the life of an ordinary day in haiti

Thanx for the links Jabao..as Kompas is akin to merengue (it's very similiar to dominican merengue except that the tempo is slower) do you guys have a music similiar in structure to bachata? And are Dominican musicians popular in Haiti?

some Claude Marcelin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEJb65Fo44c

DP Express tribute (great compas song and its similer to merengue)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_-fTTmF55M

Carimi
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwjFgxTxBJw&feature=related

cibaeno...compas is to Haiti as merengue is to the D.R and although zouk isn't an original Haitian genre, zouk (ironically derived from compas and claimed by the French Antilles) is to Haiti as bachata is to the D.R. Haitians love zouk music (zouk-love and all its variations). Compas and zouk musicians have always been working together but the collaborations have truly blurred the distinction between what is compas and what is zouk. An example is of this beautiful video (zouk songstress Tina from French Guiana collaborating with Haitian compas singer and Carimi bandmember Richard Cavé:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=hJUMAo3zNfg