The Caribbean

Haiti and Jamaica

By: Keara Dorvil
 All female Rara
Haitian Music History band breaking
Barriers
Haitian Styles: Kompa/Compas, Rara

Rara:

Rara in Haiti is celebrated to commemorate part of the slave revolution

that led to independence. At the time when it started, slaves were not
allowed to travel or communicate between plantations. They were
allowed to leave the plantation only to go to church for Easter.

Kompa:

The history of kompa music began in Haiti during the mid-1950s, when
saxophonist and maestro, or band leader Nemours Jean-Baptiste and Kompa is a large part of
his first band Conjunto International began adapting the traditional haitian dance and
music culture.
sounds of Haitian dance music into a new style.
Haitian Affect on U.S. Music
During the 1950s, a Haitian saxophonist and guitar player
named Nemours Jean-Baptiste created a unique version
of meringue called Kompas. It is a style of dance music
which quickly spread outside of Haiti to North America,
South America, Canada, France, the Caribbean and Africa.
Today, due to the influence of Kompa, it has become an Neymour Jean-Baptiste
everyday listen for many, even non haitian-Americans.

Famous Musicians: Nemours Jean-Baptiste, J. Perry, T-

Vice, Mikaben, Misty Jean
Playlist
Haitian Kompa band
T-Vice. Based in
Miami Florida.
Some of their songs
Popular partner dance, often
include Vinn Pran
danced along with Kompa music.
Not and Fem Vole.
Jamaican Food
History and Roots:

From incoming forces, Jamaicans have acquired the African based ackee fruit,
vinegar seasoning from the Spanish, and curries from the East Indian and Hakka
settlers. Most of the traditional foods in the Jamaican diet are fresh or lightly
processed meats, fruits, and vegetables that are then richly seasoned. One
traditional organic dish stemming from Jamaica that dates back to the indigenous
Tainos is the Jamaican Jerk. Jerk, a dry rub for meats and seafood, was the
singular flavor that gave Columbus pause after months at sea. Thanks to its
uniquely Jamaican blend of ingredients, it’s a singular flavor that continues to be
an island signature.
 Jamaican Chef
Jamaican Food Part 2 Adrian Forte on
front page of
“Yawd” Magazine.
Influence on U.S. food:

The Caribbean influence can also be seen in

American desserts. This includes a variety of
Caribbean pastries that includes guava and coconut,
and cakes made with dried fruits like currants, raisins,
prunes, and laced with rum. The Jamaican fruit cake
is now also popular with Americans at Christmas.

3 Famous Chefs: Adrian Forte, Julius Jackson, Alisha

Stoute, Michelle and Suzanne Rousseau Julius “The Chef” Jackson
Recipes and Dishes
3 Popular Recipes:

Jamaican Curry Chicken: Curried Chicken and potatoes; Jamaican curry

chicken is distinctively bright yellow in color, and after cooking low and
slow it ends up melt in your mouth tender, full of Caribbean fresh herbs Jerk Chicken, typically spicy and
one of the most popular Jamaican
and spices. dishes even in America.

Jerk Chicken: For the spice lovers. Marinated in an amazing concoction of

ingredients and spices it is a true symbol of Jamaican culture.

Rasta Pasta: a creamy jerk pasta loaded with red, green and yellow
peppers. You can also top it off with shrimp or chicken. It’s generously
seasoned with Jamaican jerk seasoning and finished off with freshly
grated parmesan and mozzarella cheese.

Top 3 Most Popular Dishes: Ackee and saltfish, Jamaican Beef Patties,
Beef Patties. Patties also come in
Goat Curry other flavors such as chicken or
Ackee.
Influence on U.S. Sports
Jamaica:

Since 1948 Jamaicans have won many Olympic gold, silver and bronze medals. Jamaica's track and
field athletes are acknowledged to be among the best in the world. In addition, Jamaica has held
several world records, and produced world famous cricketers, boxers, footballers, cyclists, weight
lifters and wrestlers.

Haiti:

Haitian athletes have made significant contributions to the world of sports throughout history. They
have participated in various sporting events, such as the Olympics, soccer, and boxing, and have
achieved notable success. The Haitian soccer team, also known as Les Grenadiers, has participated
in several international competitions and has produced many talented players, including Emmanuel
Sanon, who scored the first goal for Haiti in the World Cup. In boxing, Joachim Alcine became the
first Haitian to win a world championship title in 2007. These athletes have not only brought pride to
their country but have also paved the way for future generations of Haitian athletes to follow in their
footsteps.
Sports Part 2
Famous Jamaican Athletes: Usain Bolt, Deon Hemmings, Kishane
Thompson, Emre Zafer Barnes, Omar Brown

Famous Haitian Athletes: Barbara Pierre, Bruny Surin, Wadeline

Jonathas, Junior Galette, Samuel Dalembert, Emmanuel Sanon Usain Bolt: Considered to be the greatest
sprinter of all time. The world record
Jamaican Sports History: Athletics is Jamaica’s favourite sport. From holder in the 100 metres, 200 metres,
the primary school championship level to watching international and 4 × 100 metres relay.
meets on TV while banging pot covers to support, to watching the
races at the corner shop bar or even in the middle of Half-Way-Tree, Kishane
their love for it cannot be stopped. Track and field is an immeasurable Thompson:
source of national pride at every major meet and we have produced a Jamaican
the world’s fastest man and woman alive. Their success dates back track and
to as far as 1896 with Alfred Downer, a Jamaican born to Scottish field athlete
parents in the hills of St. Andrew, competed in the first ever modern who
competes as
Olympic Games and won 3 events. And from there, their excellence
a sprinter.
spread from track and field to sports like soccer and cricket.
Sports Part 3
Haiti Sports History:

Haiti has a long and proud sporting history. Soccer is

the most popular sport in the country, and the national Haitian-born American track and field sprint
team has achieved some impressive results, including athlete who competed internationally for the
a fourth-place finish in the 1973 CONCACAF United States. Her specialty is the 60-meter
Championship. The team also qualified for the 1974 dash and the 100-meter dash.
FIFA World Cup, becoming the first Caribbean nation to
do so. The country has produced some of the world's Junior Jovais
Galette: a
greatest athletes, including the legendary sprinter and Haitian born
long jumper, Marie-José Pérec, who won two Olympic former American
gold medals in 1996. Other notable athletes include football outside
hurdler and sprinter Samyr Laine, swimmer Frantz linebacker.
Dorsainvil, and soccer goalkeeper Joseph-Antoine Bell.
What Have I learned?
Jamaican
Through this project, I learned a lot of new Flag
things about my culture. For example I really
only knew about gouyad haitian music and a
little bit of kompa. I had no idea that rara was
even a thing. I also found a bunch of good
songs to add to my own personal Carribean
playlist. I also never knew just how much
Jamaican and Haitian athletes have
dominated in sports like track & field and
soccer. It filled me with so much pride to be Haitian
Flag
reading about the success that they have
had in the olympics and in FIFA since many,
many years ago.
Works Cited
Adventuresfromelle, Rochelle |. “Why Do Jamaicans Run so Fast?” Adventures from Elle, 30 May 2023,
adventuresfromelle.com/2022/07/29/why-jamaicans-run-fast/#more-18980.

Braswell, Kristin. “6 Chefs on What the Caribbean’s Rich and Varied Cuisine Means to Them.” Travel + Leisure, Travel + Leisure, 1
Oct. 2022, www.travelandleisure.com/caribbean-chefs-to-know-6744638.

“Caribbean Music; Jamaica and Haiti.” Prezi.Com, prezi.com/mhwhawltsjcr/caribbean-music-jamaica-and-haiti/. Accessed 13 Feb.

2024.

DiversityPlus. “Delicious Diversity.” Jamaica’s Rich Culinary Tradition Continues to Influence Global Cuisine,
diversityplus.com/web/Article.aspx?id=Jamaica-s-Rich-Culinary-Tradition-Continues-to-Influence-Global-Cuisine-5670. Accessed 13
Feb. 2024.

Earle, C. Paul. “Sports in Jamaica.” Jamaican Embassy, www.embassyofjamaica.org/about_jamaica/sports.htm#:~:text=Since

%201948%20Jamaicans%20have%20won,cyclists%2C%20weight%20lifters%20and%20wrestlers. Accessed 13 Feb. 2024.

“Kompa Music Guide: A Brief History of Kompa Music - 2024.” MasterClass, www.masterclass.com/articles/kompa-music-guide.
Accessed 13 Feb. 2024.

Open, Haiti. “Haitian Music: History, Genres, and More.” Haiti Open, Inc., 31 Oct. 2020,
m.haitiopen.com/country/haitian-music/#:~:text=banza%2C%20and%20lamellophone.-,Popular%20Music,France%2C%20the
%20Caribbean%20and%20Africa.
Works Cited Part 2
“Rara.” Haitian Music, www.haitianmusic.net/haitian-folk-music/rara/. Accessed 13 Feb. 2024.

“Rise Module: Haitian Heritage Month.” RISE, www.risetowin.org/what-we-do/educate/resource-module/haitian-heritage-month/

index.html. Accessed 13 Feb. 2024.

“Sports in Haiti: Global Sports Industry Data.” Verlete Sports, www.verlete.com/country/haiti/#:~:text=Haiti%20Sports

%20Industry&text=The%20team%20also%20qualified%20for,Olympic%20gold%20medals%20in%201996. Accessed 13 Feb.
2024.

“Top 8 Jamaican Local Dishes & Drinks: Best at Travel.” Best at Travel | The Edit, 8 Mar. 2021,
www.bestattravel.co.uk/the-edit/jamaica/what-to-eat-drink-in-jamaica/.