One thing I loved was getting to learn more about Haiti as a country! I was never interested in culture, history, government, etc growing up. I'm not sure I could pass a 6th grade social studies test! Now that I am an adult, I find different cultures very interesting so I really loved that Paul Perissien took the time one evening to share some Haitian history & culture with us and that Bethany Perissien taught us some Creole! A few things I found interesting were:
*Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere.
*Whistling is disrepectful.
*If you wear red to someones funeral, it means you are guilty of their death. Wearing black, white or professional uniform is common. There is also a lot of weeping and thrashing to show grief. It's even common for someone to pass out after mourning or harm themselves from throwing themselves on the ground.
*If you are driving a car and kill someone with your vehicle, the deceased persons family decides your punishment- which is usually death.
*New Years Day is like their Independence Day. They eat a special soup on this day! It's called Soup Ju Moo. It's a pumpkin soup. The first Sunday of the year is a huge! Everyone dresses in brand new clothing!
*Tap Tap = Taxi
It is the biggest form of transportation. I'm not sure that rules really apply in a tap tap! They fill those vehicles to the MAX! It is also not free, so anyone riding does pay.
* A tree branch on the road means trouble up ahead. Either an accident or broke down vehicle.
*They have tin huts all over the place that say 'BANK'. These are lottery places. Yes, just like lottery in the US!
*Voodoo is a thing. At certain times of the year it's stronger than others. They have a strong belief in zombies!
*You see many girls and boys holding hands. Even teenage kids. This is not a homosexual thing at all, it's just very common. It's kind of a protection thing.
*Yawning means you are hungry!
*Frogs are known to have the spirit of the devil.
*They don't carry their babies or little ones on their hip like we do in the US. They believe this will make the child bowlegged.
*Instead of calling me Mrs. Gerdes like we would in here in the US, they were refer to me as Madame Derek. :)
*The Haitian word Poze= Chill out! I say this often at our house to the kids!
*A few Haitian words that we use in America that do not mean the same!
Bra = Arm
Mayo = Shirt
Rad = Clothes
Learning about the history of Haiti as a country was very interesting and sad. They have had such trying times with so many different leaders over the years, and on top of that the devastation of the big earthquake in 2010.
