Washing Clothes by the Riverside in Haiti

In Haiti, especially in the rural area, it is customary to hand wash clothes by the riverside. This is a way of life. Women and girls go early to the... more

by Nicole Jean-Louis

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Price

Not Specified

Dimensions

24.000 x 18.000 x 0.800 inches

Title

Washing Clothes by the Riverside in Haiti

Artist

Nicole Jean-Louis

Medium

Painting - Oil On Canvas

Description

In Haiti, especially in the rural area, it is customary to hand wash clothes by the riverside. This is a way of life. Women and girls go early to the river before the sun reaches its peak. The river is in walking distance. They carry large aluminum or colorful plastic basins filled with their soiled clothing, bars of soap, and powder detergent on their head.


The women steps away from the river sitting or squatting on some rocks. They will knead the white clothing first. They knead the clothes just as one kneads bread dough with both hands facing each other. The women will use a 'batwel' to beat the dirt out of the cloth; the 'batwel' is the Creole word for the wooden paddle the woman is using in the painting. This method helps detach the dirt in the cleaning process. They will place the white clothing on the sun without rinsing out the detergent and soap. The sun has bleaching qualities. Haitians like their white clothing super white.


Next, the women will wash, knead, 'batwel', and rinse their colored garments. They will place them over the clean pebbles and rocks, or over some shrubs by the riverbank to get dry. Finally, they will come back to that white load to knead them again, rinse them, and let them sun dry.


Later in the day, after the cleaning and drying process, the women will fold their clothing. They will then take a bath in the river before going home to put their clothing away.


Washing clothes by hand is a task.


There seems to be a day for washing clothes; because certain times, there are quite a few people gathering toguether to wash clothes by the river. The gathering assures security and generates a time of bonding among those women. They will share stories about their families, friends, neighbors, or anything.


Washing clothes by hand near the river is a cultural countryside view in Haiti. It is also a sightseer attraction for the natives and tourists.

Uploaded

November 17th, 2015