What is the history behind the Haitian flag?

What is the history behind the Haitian flag?

Haiti’s very first flag as an independent nation is said to be created by revolutionary Jean-Jacques Dessalines. It’s said that he took a French flag, tore out the white bits and then sewed the red and blue together to make the first Haitian flag. Therefore, the red and blue symbolize the Vodun god of war, Ogou.

What is LWA Haiti?

Lwa (pronounced loo-WAH), also called loa or loi, are spirits in the African diasporic religion of Haitian Vodou. They have also been incorporated into some revivalist forms of Louisiana Voodoo.

What country is known for voodoo?

But Voodoo – as practiced in Haiti and by the black diaspora in the United States, South America and Africa – is a religion based on ancestral spirits and patron saints. Known as “Vodou” in Haiti, the religion has also served as a form of resistance against the French colonial empire.

Why was the White removed from the Haitian flag?

He then asked Catherine Flon, his god-daughter, to sew the remaining bands together. The white pale removed, the blue was taken to represent Haiti’s black citizens and the red the gens de couleur.

What does the coat of arms mean on the Haiti flag?

The most significant symbolism of the Haitian flag is within its coat of arms which is centered on the bicolor background. The coat of arms features weapons that represent the nation’s readiness to defend its freedom. This national symbol also features a royal palm that represents independence.

What is a death Loa?

Baron Samedi is the leader of the Gede, loa with particular links to magic, ancestor worship and death. These lesser spirits are dressed like The Baron and are as rude and crude but not nearly as charming as their master. They help carry the dead to the underworld.

How many flags did Haiti have?

National flag

Date Use
1820-1849, 1859-1964 Flag of the Unification of Hispaniola and Flag of the First Haitian Republic (1859–1964).
1849–1859 Flag of the Second Empire of Haiti
1964–1986 Flag of Haiti used by the Duvaliers
1986–Present Flag of Haiti

What are Haitian voodoo beliefs?

Haitian Vodou Beliefs. The most basic Tenets and basic beliefs of all Vodouisants are: Believe in one God, often referred to as Gran Met (Great Master), BonDye (Good God). Most Vodouisants (practitioners of Vodou) believe that God does not intercede in human affairs or is tooo busy to intercede in human affairs.

What are the colors of the Haitian flag?

The flag of Haiti consists of two different colored horizontal bands, with the national coat of arms at the center. The top band is bright blue in color, while the bottom band is red. The coat of arms of Haiti is made up of two yellowish-gold colored cannons faced in opposite directions on top of a green hill.

What is the history of the Haitian flag?

Haitian Flag History: The current Haitian flag was adopted on February 26, 1986. Haiti declared independence from France on January 1, 1804. The Haitian flag was originally blue and red vertical stripes, which was an adaptation of the French national flag .

What is Haitian voodou?

Haitian Vodou is an African diasporic religion that developed in Haiti between the 16th and 19th centuries. It arose through a process of syncretism between several traditional religions of West and Central Africa and the Roman Catholic form of Christianity.

author

Back to Top