Kanaval ayiti – Carnival Haiti

The annual Kanaval Ayiti is a big deal – in every little town and city – but especially in the capital. We don’t go to the street festivals, but we watch it on TV and local parades often pass by our apartment. It’s a several week long celebration leading up to the start of Lent. Haiti doesn’t have the big budget production of Brazil or the tourists of New Orleans, but the celebrants don’t seem to mind. You can see those photos below.

Kanaval ayiti :
Carnival in Haiti

Se yon pi gwo jou pou tout tout ayisyen
This is one very big day for all Haitians

Paske lè jou rive tout moun bliye pwoblèm
Because when the day comes everyone forgets their problems

Sel bezwen plezi
They only need to celebrate

Tout granmoun tout timoun
All the adults and children

Here are a few photos of a small Kanaval parade that passed by our apartment. These are common leading up to the “main event” of the national Kanaval. The dates change each year, so follow the Haitian News to get more exact information.

For those interested you can find a live stream of the Haitian Carnival here.