Carnival In Port-au-prince Haiti

This is one of the typical carnival scenes in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Streets are decorated. The music will be blasting. People wearing colorful... more

by Nicole Jean-Louis

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Price

Not Specified

Dimensions

20.000 x 16.000 x 0.750 inches

Title

Carnival In Port-au-prince Haiti

Artist

Nicole Jean-Louis

Medium

Painting - Oil On Canvas

Description

This is one of the typical carnival scenes in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Streets are decorated. The music will be blasting. People wearing colorful costumes, danced on the streets. Many spectators gathered on the streets balconies and roof tops, to witness that spectacular traditional show of colors, pride and freedom. This scene depicts the 2009 Carnival in Haiti; a year before the 2010's earthquake.
This year,2012, the Carnival is being relocated to Les Cayes because, Champ de Mars, where the celebration use to take place is unavailable. Champ de Mars is a Historic Park in Haiti's Capital. It is a main park and place of political power. It is situated directly in front of the crumbled National Palace. This is also where the "Neg Marron" statue is located. Now wet laundry can be seen drying up on his shackled leg. Champ de Mars is now overflows with quake survivors. It is now a tent city in Port-au-Prince. Homeless people living in the park in squalid condition, receiving no aid except water.
It is to be noted that Jacmel, located not too far from Les Cayes is also a southwest town; Jacmel is home to both a regional carnival and a Haitian national carnival celebration.
The word "carnival" derives from the Latin word "carnavale" that means "Meat farewell". It is customary for the Roman Catholics to abstain from eating meat during 40 days of Lent leading to Good Friday and Easter Sunday. The pre-lent carnival is celebrated predominantly in the Roman Catholic communities in Europe and in the Americas. The most famous cities and countries include: France, Germany, Rio de Janeiro, New Orleans, Trinidad, and Haiti.
This festive brings economic growth to the countries. Natives and tourists engage themselves in the biggest party in Haiti. They sing and dance on the streets to the rhythms. This carnival period starts every Sunday from January 15 and concludes in February 21, the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday.
During slavery, the slaves masters "les colons" celebrate their tradition in Haiti. The slaves not being free could not participate. After their independence in 1804, the free Haitians celebrate carnival for the first time. Carnival is a festival event that celebrates Freedom. In the past Haitians used to dress as Indians and Africans clothing. In the 1950's and 60's, Haitians carnival took a different turn from Friday to Tuesday, Mardi-Gras, before Lent. On Friday, the Universities organized their own carnival, "Carnaval des Etudiants"; on Saturday, the preparatory and High School students organized theirs; the last three days Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, people across the nation celebrate. The carnival is marked by spectacular street parades, masked faces, elaborate costumes, floats and pageants. All kind of behavior is accepted! (Are indecent ones acceptable? Yes! Everything goes!)

Uploaded

February 4th, 2012