Haiti Religion:
What's your Haitian Faith?

It's safe to say that religion in Haiti is made of three main camps. 

Of the main Haitian religious groups, the Roman Catholics are really lucky to have their religion recognized as the official Haitian faith. 

And it goes all the way back to Toussaint Louverture whose constitution gave priority to Catholicism...

That was 1801! Before Ayiti was even proclaimed an independent nation...

Can you believe it?

The status probably led to the Catholic church's implication in Ayiti's polictics: 

From 1985 to 1986, they stood against the Duvalier regime through a peasant-oriented journalistic movement supported by the creation of Radio 
Soleil. 

Who remembers the 80's famous, revolution song played on Radio Soleil?

"Lèm pa wè solèy la... Kèm pa kontan... Mwen pa sa viv"

"When there's no sunlight... There's no happiness... No life"

But... While Voodoo doesn't have the official status...

It is nationally recognized as the religion most rooted in the Haitian folklore. 

Oftentimes Voodoo practice is hiddden behind another faith: The Loa spirit is worshiped, but disguised as a Saint.  In fact, there's a direct association between religious saints and Loa figures. 

Also, the Houngan and Mambo -Voodoo priest and priestess- are well aware of a highest divinity: called Papa Bondye, who stands above the loas.

Where are the protestants in all that?

Most of the Haitian christian protestants are firmly against other religious practices. 

For example, uttering the name of: Jesus is considered among Haitian protestants a powerful way to chase away the Demons of Haiti's Voodoo.

Protestantism has really gone a long way in Haiti with the help of U.S. missionaries since 1950. Their adoption of Creole as a tool to communicate the Gospel was a move that would be helpful to the nation's national language.

Is there any Association of the Three Haitian Faiths?

Yes.

There are numerous Haitians who adopt a mix of two or three of the main religious faiths. This is often done in such a way that one Haiti religion is practiced secretly, while the other is openly expressed.

Return from Haiti Religion to Haiti Culture

Go from Haiti Religion to Haitian Culture Homepage