"They were loyal only to Papa Doc. Joumou is typically eaten on New Years Day and Haitis Independence Day. What people do not know, however, is that Haiti officially named the Republic of Haiti is a nation with a rich cultural depth and history and its people are among the most resilient. Plus there is a President and Prime Minister. The Belgian laws restricting games of chance mean that prohibitions apply to commercial contests, sweepstakes, lotteries, and even private poker games. Only about 10% of all Haitian children enrolled in elementary school go on to a high school. The island is made up primarily of two rugged mountain chains which extend westward from the Dominican border. More than 10% of Haitian children die before age five. However, if the child is more than 6 months old, the mother faces a fine (via Stupid Laws ). %PDF-1.3 If an unmarried man and woman register at a hotel as a married couple, they are legally married. Most HIV/AIDS viruses in the US descended from a common ancestor from Haiti who arrived in the US in 1969. By law, if you pass anyone over the age of 70 in the street, you must bow to them and say a prayer to the Gods of the Ancients. Photo Credit: Haiti Tourism. March 16, 2010. The future of Haiti must be linked to the respect of the rights of every single citizen. Lance Cheung/USDA // flickr. Capturing a whale in Utah is illegal, and this ban has existed since 1970. We start our weird laws in Nevada list with a kiss. The remaining blue and red stripes represented blacks and mulattos of Haiti. The country is the first in the world to recognize Voodoo as a religion after it was legitimized by the former president, Jean-Bertrand Aristide. Natural disasters, poverty, child labor, and hunger struggles are often at the forefront of any conversation regarding this beautiful country. The Spanish settlers who arrived with Christopher Columbus carried many diseases to which the people on Hispaniola did not have immunity. In the Chinese county of Gongan, there was a really strange law up until recently. In Acworth, GA, all citizens must own a rake. The Seamen's and Soldiers' False Characters Act 1906 renders it illegal for a person to pretend to be in the armed forces, and the Police Act 1996 says the same thing for anyone dressed as a fake. "Following restoration of order, a treaty providing for United States control over Haitian finances, customs, police, public works, sanitation, and medical services were concluded with the client Haitian government," according to the Navy Department Library. km.). [1] In 2004 the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs reported that its hotline received more than 700 calls from children reporting abuse. He was president again from 1994-1996 and then from 2001 to 2004, when he was ousted again. In the eighteenth century, Haitians developed elaborate tables of genetic descent, dividing mulattos into over a hundred shades of black and white. According to the 1986 Salmon Act, Section 32, if he handles a salmon in a "suspicious manner," he will be subject to prosecution and a fine of up to 800. Source, 26. [2], In 1697, Spain formally ceded to France control of the part of the island of Hispaniola that would become Haiti, naming it Saint-Domingue. Following a series of events including the 2010 earthquake, Haitis government now sits with a large sum of foreign debt. 9The World Factbook: Haiti. Central Intelligence Agency. Photo Credit: JourneyMeadows via Wikimedia Commons. The union of two people in love with each other knows no skin color, hair texture, and culture. But before you try any street magic to entertain your friends, remember to keep your change away from this body part. After that, the Haitian government allowed the exchange rate to float. [24] Unlike slaves in the traditional sense, restaveks can run away or return to their families, and are typically released from servitude when they become adults; however, the restavek system is commonly understood to be a form of slavery. Hispaniola political map with Haiti and the Dominican Republic. 1. Here he established La Isabela, the first permanent Spanish settlement in the Americas. If you're caught in possession of illegal substances, you have to pay a tax on them. Source, 22. Among the early settlers were the Ciboney people, later followed by the Tano people. group tour of Citadel Laferriere from Cap-Haitien, Bahamas Highest Ranked Caribbean Country on Quality of Nationality Index. It's illegal to own a copy of the Encyclopedia Britannica. When you . Today, this once-rich country is often associated with negativity and hardship. (See Genesis 12:2-3, 18:18, 22:18, Exodus 9:16; Joshua 4:23-24; Psalm 9:11, 96:3; Isaiah 49:6, 51:4) As a light to the world, their . Source, 3. Haiti was originally inhabited circa 5000 BC by Indigenous peoples said to have arrived from Central or South America. Haitis entire annual budget is $300 million, less than that of many small cities in the United States. Photo Credit: Peter Hermes Furian via 123RF.com. In 1645, the governor of Tortuga, Haiti hoping to calm the pirate populations unruly lifestyle, imported approximately 1650 prostitutes. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 2001. And not just a salmon. Horses can't be kept in bathtubs. A Ruling That Could End the Internet as We Know . Dont become involved with illegal drugs of any kind. One weird law still on the books in Utah is one that prohibits driving a herd of animals down any city street. Haiti is home to more mountains than any other country in the Caribbean. While Christopher Columbus claimed Haiti for Spain in 1492, it was the French who truly colonized the island. An estimated 1.5 million Haitians live outside the country, mostly in Miami. No one under 16 was allowed to smooch or show public displays of affectionthe horror (for the teens, that is). 7Haiti Recovery to Take Decades. BBCNews. Citadelle Laferriere aka Citadelle Henry Christophe aka The Citadelle in Haiti. Haiti has 14 airports, of which only four have paved runways. Here, respect for elders is held in high regard. I scoured the internet and came up with a list of eight weird laws from Ohio that are still on the books but are not rigorously enforced. Moreover, Haiti does not have a stock market. Sadly, after becoming an independent republic in 1804, Haiti was not able to hold on to its wealth. Prison conditions in Haiti are very poor. It's illegal to be wearing just swim trunks in public, You must wear a seatbelt when riding in the backseat of a car, but you can ride in the back of a pickup truck without any safety equipment. Keep a copy of the photo page of your passport and relevant visa stamp separately in case your documents are stolen. Thus tourism is one of the countrys largest sources of income. Haitian Flag Day takes place on May 18th each year, as this is the anniversary date of the original flags adoption in 1803. Eighty percent of Haitians are Roman Catholic, 16% are Protestant, and 4% are other. Haiti is shaped by many cultures with African, French, Spanish, and Caribbean influences. We compiled a list of weird laws around the world you may not believe exist. Other Tano indigenous names for Haiti include Quisqueya (or Kiskeya) meaning mother of all lands and Bohio. Eighty percent of Haitians live under the poverty line and 54% live in abject poverty. 3) It's a punishable offence to throw (used) chewing gum on the pavement. 2023 Fact Retriever LLC. Many resort to begging or prostitution to survive. In 1803, Jean-Jacques Dessalines (1758-1806), Haitis first ruler, created the nations flag by ripping out the white stripe in the French red, white, and blue flag, claiming he would rip white people from the nation. Under the Duvalier regime, lawyers were intimidated from defending their clients through pressure and violence. << /Length 5 0 R /Filter /FlateDecode >> Alabama Lawyers' immunity is under constant threat. The law protects the whales and promotes conservation efforts. Slob's Law KickassFacts - Fact Encyclopedia. Source, 9. Greetings are also very important as strangers almost always acknowledge one another on the streets. It started on August 22nd, 1791 when the enslaved Africans led by Franois-Dominique Toussaint Louverture, initiated a rebellion against the French settlers. 4I%{1Jv.~T/Nk+*J]G_k6kU97>[_+UriV2jV-RVOV BPZu{qE,zyq^%1?4Xv. A Voodoo ceremony united the people of Haiti and began the Haitian revolution in 1791. This one is still on the books but not enforced Missionary is the only legal sexual position. Galveston will also not permit offensive language and "unruly conduct" at events. Don't turn down a drink from a shared glass On many occasions you'll see Cubans passing around one glass of rum and taking a sip or a shot before it's passed on to the next person. Author, statesmen, and ex-slave Frederick Douglass (c. 1818-1895) was an ambassador to Haiti. Photo Credit: Martine Oger via 1234RF.com. 10. According to the law in Nevada, any man with a moustache who kisses a woman will get in trouble. Fail to hydrate. Slavery in Saint-Domingue, France's most lucrative colony, was known to be especially brutal, with a complete turnover of the slave population due to death every 20 years. Another weird law in Vietnam is that whether you're an expat or just a tourist, as long as you're a foreign citizen, you are required to register with the local police when you move into a residence. 49 / 50. The typical Haitian woman will have five children in her lifetime. Dr. Franois Duvalier, also known as "Papa Doc," was the president of Haiti from 1957 to 1971. However, the attitude of many Haitians to the LGBT community is hostile. These games require a license from the Kansspelcommissie or no-one wins any financial gain. Haiti is one of the few countries in the world where the destruction of the original woodland is almost complete A muddy brown ring surrounds the countrys coastline where topsoil has washed into the sea. Eighty percent of schools in Haiti are private, and religious groups run many of them. His regime was notorious for its autocratic and corrupt rule. Source, 13. Haitian revolutionary leader Francois-Dominique Toussaint earned the nickname Toussaint-L Ouverture (the opening), which referred to his ability to find an opening in the enemy lines as well as opening the way for Haitis independence. The proper etiquette for eating these foods is by using your hand and this weird food law demonstrates that fact. Idiot eating live eels" (via golookup). . Jean-Jacques Dessalines, First ruler of Haiti. Not all legal actors have copies of the laws but, beyond that, Haiti's criminal laws have been supplemented over the last 150 years or so by a series of laws and decrees that are unknown to many in the legal community. Today, the Haitian currency is called gourdes.. Public displays of affection (such as hand-holding or kissing) between opposite or same-sex couples are uncommon. The Western Hemispheres largest mountain top fortress, the Citadelle Laferrire, is also found in Haiti. Haiti is rich in history, culture, and heritage, and as citizens of the first Black Republic, Haitians continually progress in the face of any adversity. of those roads are paved. Ancient imperial law stipulates that anyone caught sharing the secrets of sericulture (otherwise known as silk-making) was to be tortured to death. We round up some of the weirdest laws around the world, from not allowing your chicken to cross the road or preventing your donkey from sleeping in the bath to never refusing a stranger the use of your bathroom and more. News stories, speeches, letters and notices, Reports, analysis and official statistics, Data, Freedom of Information releases and corporate reports. In 2008, the island experienced several severe tropical storms, including Hurricane Hana and Ike, resulting in over 800 deaths and widespread damage. Source, 5. Its population density is 747 people per square mile (295 per sq. Edward II passed the law in response to being bullied and weakened by his rambunctious barons and noblemen. Philadelphia, PA: Chelsea House Publishers, 1999. Haiti map. Later reduced to 90 million, Haiti was forced to repay the debt to lift a crippling embargo imposed by France, Britain, and the United States. The United States is Haitis biggest trade partner. Schools and other community buildings were also targeted. In Haiti, around 56% of the population identifies as Roman Catholics, while about 30% identify as Protestants. Surprisingly, a statue of the Italian explorer and colonizer still stands today in the center of the countrys capital, Port-au-Prince, one of the largest cities in the Caribbean. Haiti has a rich culture with influences dating back as far as pre-Columbus times when the island was populated solely by the Tano and Arawakan people. The Citadel is a large mountaintop fortress located in northern Haiti. The remaining population is split among smaller groups of Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, and people of the Bahai faith. For tourists, you can skip the hassles as your hotel/hostel usually takes care of this for you. Number five of the top 12 Dumbest Gun Laws is micro stamping. Haiti has a deep, rich history and the distinction of being the worlds first Black-led republic and the first independent Caribbean country. Daily temperatures generally range between 73F and 91F in the summer and 62F and 82F during the winter months. [1] Political killings, kidnapping, torture, and unlawful incarceration are common unofficial practices, especially . This weird law exists because one of the volumes contains a recipe for making beer at home. 4Dash, J. Michael. The land that would become Haiti was first colonized by Spain at the end of the 15th century. Salary: (CAD) $48,226 - (CAD) $65,106/Per Year. Haitians have the lowest caloric intake in the Americas, which has led to chronic and often fatal diseases. The government in Haiti is known for running a slow, inefficient and corrupt system of justice. You'd better take it as a fun read instead of a history lesson! Launched in 2014, Caribbean & Co. has won five travel media awards. In 2003, the U.S. Coast Guard picked up 2,000 Haitian boat people trying to reach U.S. shores, more than from any other Caribbean nation. Brandon C./Flickr. It was the oldest slave colony in America. A dreaded security force, it was also called the Tonton Macoutes, after the Haitian folk figure Tonton Macoute (Uncle Knapsack) who carries off small children at night. A popular weird law for Hawaii was that you could only have one drink in front of you at a time. The law came into effect in 2008, and many teenagers were outraged and protested. No Shirtless Driving in Thailand All countries have their set of weird customs and laws and Iceland is no exception. 23,000 Packets Of Cigarettes. Some famous artists from Haiti include Prfete Duffaut, Rigaud Benoit, Gesner Abelard and Franktienne who was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize in 2010. These ranged from the Sacatra which were seven-eighths black, to the several varieties of Sangmeles, which are only one-sixteenth black. The Haitian Revolution, inspired by the French Revolution of 1789 was the first successful slave revolt in the Americas. Its emblem and its symbols. ----Patreon---- Show more. When early Spanish explorers encountered a female Haitian ruler named Anacaona, or Golden Flower (1464-1504), in 1503 who resisted them, they killed many of her people, arrested, and hanged her. [21] The practice meets formal international definitions of modern day slavery and child trafficking, and is believed to affect an estimated 300,000 Haitian children. 2. Source, 16. It banned children over the age of 12 from trick-or-treating. You have rejected additional cookies. Because the Roman Catholic Church discourages. Interesting Franois Duvalier Facts: 26-30. Their eventual victory was the first successful slave revolt and helped establish Haiti as the first black republic. Even though today there are many legal options for home beer making, if you're caught with the books you can be fined or do some jail time. A UN report published in January 2021, found a pricking amplification in rights violations and abuses of the right to life during the 2018 and 2019 protests. For the more adventurous travelers, there are other tourist attractions in Haiti including exploration of the capital city of Port-au-Prince. Hawaii Georgia is not the place to go ticking people off. Financial Advice: What should do you in case you win a jackpot? The rule states that no yelling, shouting, whistling or singing is allowed at any time. FIRST ARTICLE-1: The city of Port-au-Prince is the capital and the seat of government. Experience its wonder and beauty with our interesting Swaziland facts. 7. It's illegal to wrestle bears in Alabama, for example. Surveillance Detection Monitor. In New York, the penalty for jumping off a building is . The rest of the country is surrounded by water, with the Atlantic Ocean on the north and the Caribbean Sea covering the west and south sides.