The Dominican Republic borders Haiti, and it’s nestled on the western one-third of the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean Sea. When you hear about Haiti, the very first thing that you associate Haiti with it is the earthquake of 2010 or the poverty challenges that Haiti is facing at a dire level. However, Haiti has to offer more than its hardships. Behind the condition of people living there, Haiti is a charming Caribbean country with a rich heritage and culture and history. Here are the interesting facts regarding Haiti that you have never heard about.
Photo by Claudia Altamimi on Unsplash
Haiti was once admired as the “Pearl of the Antilles”
When the French colonizers stepped on this island nation, it was just a little isle with breathtaking landscapes and natural resources. During the 18th century, Haiti became the French Empire’s richest colony due to environmental exploitation and the importation of slaves. Being known far and wide as the “Pearl of the Antilles”, Haiti has contributed a lot to the African slave trades. However, nothing is here to last forever. Haiti was rich mainly due to illegal slave trades, which eventually bounced back to a spiral of the lowest of the lows. The island nation now has to deal with several natural disasters such as hurricanes and flooding. Massive deforestation in the country has paved the way for these environmental destructions.
People in Haiti love to gamble
You might not believe this, but people of Haiti love to gamble and even ask the Gods for lottery numbers. There is a centuries-old tradition of gambling in Haiti, and to some extent, it has normalized in culture with more and more folk indulging in it. According to some Haitian beliefs and traditions, everything that God bestows upon you has to do with how the gods fancy their bets. Since the majority here practice Voodou, they only pray to God for winning the lottery ticket. To make things more certain, they even make a wish to their gods to reveal the lottery number that is a sure win.
Cockfighting is a popular sport in Haiti
Yes, you heard right! I am talking about one cook fighting with another cook for no good reason. In Haiti, people are just crazy about this traditional sport, in which they let their cooks fight not only for amusement but for money too. It has become widespread in Haiti, where people earn money from the cook fighting. In this sport, if your cook is fighting and you got to win, you can bring home money around $67, which is equivalent to what the average person with a regular job makes for an entire month in the country. You won’t believe what they feed their cooks and this is raw meat and hot pepper with rum.
Pic la Selle is Haiti’s highest peak
Pic le Selle is also known as Morne La Selle is the highest peak in Haiti, with a height of around 2,6800 meters above sea level. Pic La Sell is located in the Chaine de la Selle mountain range that runs through southern Haiti and extends into the Dominican Republic, making it the highest peak in Haiti. If you’re particularly into hiking, this peak should be on your radar. While climbing, you can enjoy yourself with the beautiful vistas over the island.
A small island in Haiti was once occupied by pirates
Tortuga island located on the northern coast of Haiti used to be occupied by pirates. This mountainous and rocky island has served as a major base for French buccaneering from 1630 to 1700. Due to its strategic location, the island has been a rendezvous for rovers of a nation. French has established its role in its colony and pirates took advantage of that role by occupying it. Nowadays, it’s a popular tourists attractions in the country and tourists love to come and enjoy the golden sands.