Soup JoumouIt’s really important for me, my family, my culture. Back on January 1, 1804, it was an unforgettable day, it was a successful decade-long slave rebellion against French Colonial rule, it made Haiti the world’s first Black republic. African slaves were expected to prepare the soup for their slave owners, but they were forbidden from tasting it. That changed when the slaves overthrew the French and Haiti declared itself an independent nation. Since that battle every January 1st, every Haitian prepares the soup to commemorate Haiti’s independence, It reminds me of what our ancestors did for us, and how brave they were. My family, my school always tell stories about what happened that day it makes me proud of who I am, and how hard our ancestors fought for our freedom. This tradition connects to my identity on how important it is for my culture, history in my country, and how proud we are to celebrate these moments every year. I remember when I was little my family, my friends always use to bring me to these traditions, and they showed me how to celebrate, and why we’re celebrating these traditions so I can see how proud I am about these holidays and the history behind them.

 

– J

Relationship:  Im/migrant who arrived as a child Im/migrant who arrived as a child