Coat of arms of haiti musical instrument. Haiti flag. Culture and beliefs of the population

The countries of the Caribbean region beckon with a stunning climate and a good location with access to both the sea and the ocean. But this is not all that distinguishes local states. For example, the Republic of Haiti is an original country about which you can tell a lot of interesting things. Where is it located and what is worth knowing about it?

Geographical position

To find Haiti on a world map, it is enough to find it. It is located between the continents North and South America. There you will find a large point - the island of Haiti. occupies the eastern part. The entire west belongs to the state of Haiti. The northern part of the island of the same name is washed by the Caribbean Sea and the southern part. Mountain ranges pass through the territory of the state from east to west. average height a thousand meters. The largest peak is La Selle peak. It rises two thousand six hundred and eighty meters above sea level. water pool country is represented mainly mountain rivers, which do not differ in impressive length. The largest lakes of the state are Pligr, it is freshwater, and Somatr, filled with salt water.

History of Haiti

The island was discovered by the Spaniards in 1492, Columbus and his navigators founded a settlement here. Then this piece of land was called Navidad. A year later, the travelers returned, but all the settlers were dead. Who killed them remains a mystery. From the seventeenth century the country became a French colony, but already in 1804 it gained independence. To designate Haiti on the map of the world helped people democratic sentiments that emerged after the revolution in Paris. Independence here occurred immediately after the United States. As a result, the country became the first in the world to be ruled by blacks. However, the situation now and then turns out to be unstable - due to low level life here are frequent uprisings and strikes.

Climatic conditions

What interests the traveler in the first place? Of course, the weather that distinguishes where the state of the same name is located! This area is characterized tropical climate influenced by the trade winds. This is the perfect place for those who enjoy warm and humid weather. Moreover, it remains unchanged for all three hundred and sixty-five days in a row. On average, the temperature for the year is twenty-five degrees Celsius, fluctuations during the month are insignificant. In the capital called Port-au-Prince, the annual minimum is plus fifteen degrees Celsius, and the maximum reaches almost forty. The Republic of Haiti cannot boast of the length of its territories, but even within it there are different variants climate. The main difference is in the amount of precipitation due to the terrain - mountainous and coastal regions cannot coincide in this regard. In the valleys, about five hundred millimeters of rain fall annually, and in the highlands it can happen five times more - up to two and a half thousand. The main precipitation occurs during rainy seasons, which fall on the periods from April to June and from September to November. The rest of the year is dry and warm weather. Powerful tropical hurricanes can occur, as a rule, they occur between June and September. It is recommended to come to Haiti only during periods when the wind is much weaker.

Haitian money

An interesting fact is that there are several currency options in the country. The official one is called gourde and is one hundred santims. Banknotes with denominations of one thousand, five hundred, two hundred and fifty, one hundred, fifty, twenty-five and ten are in circulation. There are also coins in five and one gourdes, as well as in fifty, twenty, ten and five centimes. The official international designation is HTG. Unofficially, the so-called "Haitian dollars" are used in the country. In addition, United States money is also widely used. They can be used in the market or in private establishments. Official currency unit Haiti can be received at numerous exchange offices in the capital, but the terms of the transaction and the amount of commissions can be very different. There is also a black market. The course of unofficial money changers can be very profitable, but at the same time, everything can end in a robbery, so it is highly discouraged for foreigners to contact them. You can pay almost everywhere, but getting cash is easy only in the capital - finding an ATM in the provinces is often very difficult. In conditions of poverty and unemployment, local residents simply do not need them.

Culture and beliefs of the population

The state of Haiti used to be a French colony, which is still noticeable in many areas of local life. So, many here communicate in Creole. Common not only in Haiti, it is French interspersed with Spanish and English. This language is used by the majority of citizens. Classical French is spoken by about fifteen percent of the population. The Republic of Haiti is a Christian country. Most consider themselves Catholics, where there are fewer Protestants on the island. Local residents manage to combine traditional religion with pagan voodoo beliefs - every second citizen of the country believes in these practices.

Art of the Republic of Haiti

The original religious preferences that distinguish the Republic of Haiti are interesting not only for their unusual combination with Christianity, but also for the manifestations of art that they lead to. So, special ritual music played on drums makes the country famous all over the world. Here you can also see amazing architecture - the remains of the Sanssouci Palace are the most famous in the Caribbean. The ruins of the mysterious structure are included in the list of objects cultural heritage UNESCO. Black slaves worked at the construction site of the palace, and today this place attracts connoisseurs of architecture. Haitian painting deserves special mention. It is called naive or intuitive, but this does not mean at all that the drawings have a childish level of execution or a lack of skill. Filled with color and emotion, the work of renowned local artist Hector Hippolyte captivated art connoisseurs in the United States in the twentieth century. Other significant creators are Rigaud Benois, Jean-Baptiste Bottelet, Joseph Jean-Gilles and Castera Basile. The traditional sculptures of the country also deserve interest. The best sculptor of this country is Albert Mangoes.

Parsley War

The repression of Haitians, which took place in the thirties during the Dominican dictatorship of Trujillo, is unusual name associated with harmless greenery. What is the reason for the name "parsley massacre"? The thing is that these repressions, the number of victims of which, according to various sources, range from five to twenty-five thousand people, were accompanied by a special way of identifying Haitians. It is rather difficult to distinguish them from the Dominicans, but the former have been speaking Creole French since childhood, while the latter prefer Spanish. This results in a noticeable difference in pronunciation. That is why the Dominicans showed the alleged victim a sprig of parsley and offered to name it. If the word was pronounced in the Spanish way, the person was released, and if in French, he gave himself away and the soldiers grabbed him for further punishment. And so it turned out that ordinary parsley is connected in the history of Haiti with such sinister events, which are still terrifying. local residents.

The state of Haiti is located in an extremely warm climate, so everything is often closed during the hottest hour of the day. For example, banks are open from nine in the morning to five in the evening with a two-hour lunch break - from one to three. Some open on Saturdays, but by the middle of the day they already stop working. Shops also have lunch breaks. Such traditions are reminiscent of the Spanish siesta. Price tags deserve special interest - here they are written on them in three currencies at once, in Haitian gourdes and the dollar, as well as in the currency of the United States of America. Often foreigners get confused and cannot figure out exactly how much they need to pay.

dangerous state

Haiti is no different high level life, so it is not possible for a foreigner to study it in detail. Residents of other countries are prohibited from going to the slums located on the outskirts of the cities of Port-au-Prince and Cap-Haitien. The locals are quite friendly and welcoming, but more than eighty percent of the citizens live below the poverty line, so the crime rate here is still quite high and in some areas only Haitians can stay. In addition, exotic diseases persist in the country - malaria and typhoid. Only the region near the port of Labadi is safe. In Haiti, it is not even recommended to drink tap water - it is not purified enough, and even the locals prefer to boil it.

State flag

The main symbol of the country has a traditional rectangular shape. The cloth is divided into two horizontal strips of equal size. The flag of Haiti is dark blue above and deep red below. In the center is the image of the coat of arms. The parties are related to each other in a ratio of five to three. The red color of the cloth is intended to symbolize the local population - mulattos. Blue is the sign of black residents. Both repeat the colors of the flag of France, which indicates the history of the country, for a long time having the status of a colony. The combination of contrasting shades is an indication of the peaceful union of the inhabitants of the state, who come from different countries- just two opposite peoples coexist on the territory.

National emblem

The image of the emblem is used on the flag. The symbol representing the coat of arms of Haiti appeared in 1807. In the center is an image of a palm tree. Above it is a symbol of freedom - a Phrygian cap made of two-color fabric. The palm is surrounded by a variety of military trophies - cannonballs, anchors, cannons, axes, guns. The background is a green field, on which golden fragments of chains are placed - a kind of reference to the colonial past. The palm is also surrounded by six battle banners in the national colors of the locals. At the foot of the tree is a white ribbon, which depicts the motto of the state, which sounds like "Union creates strength."

Coat of arms of Haitiofficially adopted in 1807. The emblem depicts a cabbage palm surrounded by a Phrygian cap, symbolizing freedom, and trophies - guns, flags, axes, cannons, cannonballs, war tubes, anchors, etc. The motto on French"L'Union Fait La Force" on the Haitian flag means "Union creates strength".

In 1804 the island achieved independence from France and received the old Indian name - Haiti. The flag of the country was a blue-red flag. Its origin is associated with the events of the times of the national liberation struggle. enslavers of the white band of the monarchy. This banner has become a symbol of the union of blacks and mulattos in their common struggle for freedom.

In 1843 state flag Haiti was officially approved: the upper half of its cloth was blue, the lower half was red, in the center there was a coat of arms - a palm tree with a "Phrygian cap", national banners, guns with bayonets, cannons and cannonballs, a drum, anchors and the inscription: " LUnion Failla Forge "("In unity - strength"). The trade flag did not have a coat of arms.
Although Haiti is constitutionally republic, in the country tyranny reigns. Since 1957. Haiti's dictator was "Papa Doc" - Francois Duvalier, who established a bloody terror regime in the country. The dictator considered himself the embodiment of the nation and publicly declared: "I am the flag of Haiti, one and indivisible."
In 1963 The national flag of Haiti has been changed. It is divided vertically: half of the staff is black, the other half is dark red; the coat of arms is depicted in the center.

Two-color rectangular panel with an aspect ratio of 3:5. Top half of the flag of blue color, lower - red. In the center is the coat of arms of Haiti.

In the center of the emblem there is a cabbage palm with a Phrygian red cap on top and a drum at the foot and surrounded by military trophies: muskets, flags, cannons, cannonballs, war tubes, anchors, etc. The whole composition is located on a green hill. Below is the motto in French "L'Union Fait La Force", that is, "Unity creates strength."

Symbolism

The red and blue stripes of the Flag are derived from the national colors of France. Currently, this combination symbolizes the union of blacks and mulattos.

The Phrygian cap at the top of the coat of arms is a symbol of freedom. The spoils of war signify the country's armed forces.

Story

The national flag of Haiti was officially approved on February 25, 1986. However, the history of the flag begins much earlier, in 1897. The first flags appeared in Haiti at the beginning of the 19th century. All of them are very reminiscent of modern.

The civil and maritime flags are copies of the state flag, but do not contain the image of the coat of arms.

Along with the flag, anthem, motto (see description) and national colors(blue and red). The emblem has been known since the beginning of the 19th century, in modern form- since 1986.

Description [ | ]

According to the 1987 Constitution, the emblem of Haiti is described as follows:

The emblem of Haiti features six blue and red flags of the Republic of Haiti, three on each side, behind a palm tree and two cannons. There are trophies in front of the cannons: a drum, a horn, guns, ship anchors, etc. Banners and pennants symbolize independence, anchors - hope, and weapons - the struggle for freedom and independence in the past and the determination to preserve it in the present and future. The palm is crowned with a Phrygian cap, symbolizing freedom. At the bottom of the emblem is a ribbon with an inscription. After the overthrow of the Duvalier regime, a broken gold chain appeared just above the ribbon, as a symbol of victory over the dictatorship.

It should be noted that the inscription on the coat of arms is not the national motto. According to Article 4 of the Constitution, the motto of Haiti is " Liberte - Egalite - Fraternite" (French " Freedom equality Brotherhood») .

Emblem history [ | ]

Civil Commissioner's Proclamation French Republic L.-F. Sonthona abolishing slavery in northern Haiti (1793). In the upper part there is an emblematic drawing, partly similar to the emblem of Haiti adopted later.

The origins of the emblem [ | ]

The emblem of Haiti was formed under the strong influence of state and national symbols France of that period. On the official papers of the French Republic at this time, emblematic drawings were often depicted, for the most part or in separate elements coinciding with the later emblem of Haiti. For example, it is almost identical to the image on the letterhead of the French general Pierre Quantin, who was the immediate superior of Jean-Jacques Dessalines.

Emblem of the Republic of Haiti (1807? - 1844? - 1849, 1859-1964, 1986 - present)[ | ]

The emblem of Haiti has been used since the beginning of the 19th century, however, unlike the flag, it was not mentioned in the early constitutions of the state. The emblem can be judged based on the images on the money and official papers of Haiti. The emblem appeared in the presidency of Alexander Pétion (1807-1818). The first year of his reign is considered to be the conditional date of the appearance of the emblem. However, there is evidence that she appeared under Desalin. The first official description of the emblem was given in the Constitution of 1843. It said.

It should be noted that the emblem has never received detailed description, therefore, over the course of history, its individual elements could change.

Other coats of arms and emblems[ | ]

State seal of the State of Haiti, approved in 1808 (reconstruction).

Despite the fact that the current emblem is the oldest symbol of the country, throughout the existence of Haiti there were periods when it was replaced by another emblem or coat of arms.

Seal and coat of arms of the State of Haiti (1806-1811)[ | ]

In the initial period of the existence of the Republic of Haiti in the north of the island, there was independent state led by Henri Christophe. At first, the state did not have a coat of arms, and the monogram “HC” was present on the state seal and on coins (“ Henri Christophe"), crowned with a wreath of oak branches and the inscription " Liberas religio mores"(lat. " Freedom of Religion"). In 1808, a new coat of arms was adopted - an oval, inside which were depicted stars and the sun with a human face rising from the sea. The state seal was also changed: now it represented an oval, inside of which the coat of arms was depicted, at the top was the inscription “ Etat d'Haity" (French " State of Haiti”), and below were crossed branches of laurel.

Coat of arms of the Kingdom of Haiti (1811-1820)[ | ]

Great coat of arms of the Kingdom of Haiti.

In 1811, A. Christophe proclaimed himself King Henri I, and northern Haiti a kingdom. By decree of April 1, 1811, Henri Christophe adopted a new coat of arms: on a blue shield dotted with golden stars, a red phoenix topped with a golden crown is depicted. Around the shield there was a motto - " Ex cineribus nascitur"(lat. " I rise from the ashes"). This coat of arms served as the basis for the later adopted small, medium and large royal coats of arms, but was not completely abolished, and, changing in details, appeared on coins until the end of the existence of the kingdom.

The Great Coat of Arms of the Kingdom of Haiti: in the French coat of arms on a gold (or blue, there were two options) field dotted with five-pointed stars, a phoenix was depicted rising from the flame, accompanied by a silver ribbon with the motto " Je renais de mes cendres(fr. " I am reborn from my ashes»); The shield was adorned with a crown and the Order of St. Henri (created 20 April 1811 king); under the shield was a ribbon with the motto " Dieu, ma cause et mon epee"(fr. "God, my cause and my sword"). Supporters - two crowned lions. Probably, this coat of arms was considered the main one, in any case, it was printed on some issues of the official newspaper of the kingdom "Gazette royale d'Hayti" and on title page Code Henry (an annual official collection of the laws and regulations of the kingdom).

In 1820, A. Christophe's successor, Jean-Pierre Boyer, reunited Haiti and put an end to the existence of the kingdom.

Emblem of 1844 [ | ]

Greater coat of arms of the Second Empire of Haiti.

In 1844, the blue and red ensign was briefly replaced by the old black and red. It is quite possible that the emblem also changed at the same time - the flags on it could change accordingly from blue-red to black-red.

Coat of arms of the Second Empire of Haiti (1849-1859)[ | ]

When President Faustin Suluk proclaimed himself Emperor Faustin I in 1849, he adopted a new coat of arms. The large coat of arms of the Empire of Haiti had the following composition: a palm tree, two cannons and a (French) imperial eagle are depicted on a figurative coat of arms; the shield was covered with a mantle and surmounted by a crown; coat of arms adorned the Order of St. Faustin (created by the emperor on September 21, 1849) and a ribbon with a motto that read " Dieu, ma patrie et mon epee" (French " God, my country and my sword"). Supporters - two lions. At first, the field of the coat of arms was gold, but soon, apparently, after the coronation, it was changed to blue.

The emperor was forced to leave the country in 1859, after which the old state emblem was restored.

The emblem of Haiti from the time of F. Duvalier and J.-C. Duvalier (1964-1986)[ | ]

On June 21, 1964, President F. Duvalier, who recently came to power, restored the black and red flag established by the 1805 Constitution. The emblem was also changed: the blue and red flags were changed to black and red; the Phrygian cap was removed from the top of the palm tree. In 1986, his son Jean-Claude Duvalier was removed from power, and the old emblem was immediately restored, which was officially enshrined in new constitution adopted for the next year. This emblem is the official symbol of the Republic of Haiti to this day.

Reverse of the 1 gourde note with the emblem of Haiti from the time of Duvalier (1979).

see also [ | ]

Notes [ | ]

1. (indefinite) .
2. Heraldic album. Sheet 21 | Publications | Around the world (Russian). www.vokrugsveta.ru. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
3. L. V. Spatkay. Coats of arms and flags of the countries of the world. America. - Publishing Solutions. - p. 118. - ISBN ISBN 978-5-44-833363-7.
4. (indefinite) .
5. The Haitian Coat of Arms Haiti and the Atlantic World(September 15, 2013). Retrieved 16 August 2018.
6. HAITI (indefinite) . www.hubert-herald.nl. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
7. Haiti-Reference: 6120.- Les Symboles d'Haiti: Armes et Devise(fr.). www.haiti-reference.com. Retrieved 14 August 2018.