Culture and Customs of Haiti

Arts, crafts and architecture

Arts

Crafts

Architecture

Museums

Customs and traditions

Local traditions

Etiquette

Dress and behavior

Sensitive or taboo topics

Languages

Haiti has two official languages: French and Creole (based on French). French is primarily the administrative language or spoken by the "upper classes" of Haitian society. Creole, on the other hand, is used by everyone and is the everyday language for the vast majority of the population. Since 2013, its importance and "symbolism" have taken a new step with the creation of the Académie de la Langue Créole.

Glossary

A few local words and expressions useful for travelers to know:

Festivals and holidays

Public holidays

January 1: New Year's Day - Independence Day.

January 2: Ancestors' Day.

January 12: Commemoration of the 2010 earthquake that devastated Port-au-Prince, Léogâne, Jacmel, and parts of the West and Southeast departments of Haiti.

February or March: Mardi Gras.

February or March: Ash Wednesday.

March-April: Good Friday.

March-April: Easter.

May 1: Labor Day.

May 18: Flag Day.

June: Corpus Christi.

August 15: Assumption.

October 17: Dessalines Day.

November 1: All Saints' Day.

November 2: All Souls' Day.

November 18: Battle of Vertières.

December 5: Discovery of Haiti.

December 25: Christmas.

December 26: Boxing Day.