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Nature: Engraved in Haiti's DNA

NatureGlobal Beat

What is nature? It’s “the phenomena of the physical world collectively, including plants, animals, the landscape, or other features and products of the earth, as opposed to humans or human creations.” With all that nature encompasses and entails, how can it not be part of our traditions and rituals? Even in the blissful unawareness of our daily life, nature is there, whispering. Nature is there when you pet your dog in the morning, or on your walk to school; nature is there when you cook a meal and when you breathe. Day or night, 24/7, no matter how faint, nature is ever so present.

My community is Haiti, a quaint country situated on an island known as Hispaniola. I would consider it a natural rarity. Haiti is one of the very rare places where you could be gazing at picturesque, crystal-clear waves and then, thirty minutes later, be staring at tall rugged mountains.

Nature is engraved in Haiti’s DNA and history. In the 19th century, Haiti’s Citadelle Laferriere, a fortress and major attraction in Haiti, was carved and built from the mountaintops to aid in Haiti’s defense system. It stands till this day as a reminder of what Haiti has fought for and won: its independence. That spirit, a spirit of hope, a fighter spirit, still lives in Haiti and its citizens today.

Today, one of Haiti’s greatest attributes is its nature, its land and agriculture. Many farm the lands and raise livestock. Nature serves as a workplace for many, earning their living. Yet nature also serves as a sanctuary. One of Haiti’s greatest traditions is its carnival, a party filled with dance that takes place in Haiti’s aesthetic landscape. The location changes to different cities within the country, so that each city’s individual qualities, traditions, and nature are exhibited.

Nature also serves as a religious temple. Voodoo, a popular religion inspired by escaped slaves, is practiced in Haiti. Voodoo in Haiti is a way to reach and understand your ancestors, and it is integral to Haiti’s history. Many of these ceremonies used to connect back to your ancestors take place in nature. Why? Because to many, nature is the closest you can get to your ancestors and becoming closer to nature is the goal.

A workplace, a sanctuary, a religious temple: nature serves many roles in my community and in yours, as well, and without it, our daily life would look bleak and intolerable. Nature is a silent champion that we should root for and protect every day. Because nature plays a singular momentous role and it is simply our home, and that in itself can be the greatest role that it plays and an important reason we must protect it.

Sources:

“Citadelle Laferrière.” Atlas Obscura, April 24, 2012. www.atlasobscura.com/places/citadelle-laferriere.

“Nature: Definition of Nature by Lexico.” Lexico Dictionaries | English, Lexico Dictionaries. www.lexico.com/en/definition/nature.

Louissaint, Guilberly. “What Is Haitian Voodoo?” The Conversation, October 31, 2019. theconversation.com/what-is-haitian-voodoo-119621.

Neissa Raymond is a 17-year-old from Port-au-Prince, Haiti. She enjoys reading, sports, writing, learning, and experiencing different cultures.

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