The Haitian culture shares several traits that are similar to Latin America. The religion found in Haiti is pre-dominantly Christian and comprises of 80 to 85 percent of Roman Catholics; whereas, the other 20 percent are Protestants. However, there is a slow growth of Muslim and Hindu population found in Haiti. One characteristic of the Haitian culture is specifically distinctive and that is the Vodou tradition. The Vodou culture is a mixture of traditions from several cultures including: Central and Western African, European, and Native Americans. Even though the Vodou tradition carries a negative connotation but it is still practiced widely. The number of people practicing Vodou is not known exactly, but it is known that a few people are staunch followers of this tradition alongside Christianity. Many Christians residing within Haiti are reported to have been practicing Vodou indirectly as a part of their religious practices.
The religious practices within Haiti culture is a source of bonding for people living within the boundaries of Haiti. Families whether immediate or extended come together few times a year to celebrate the rituals that are practiced in the Vodou tradition. Furthermore, individualistic lifestyles are accompanied by traditions of the Vodou tradition. Fellow practitioners of the Vodou tradition also provide a support system for their peers and are present to provide help during the growing stage, illness stage, curing stage, and the dying stage. Similar to traditional societies the criminal justice system is also informally organized and rituals are used to discipline individuals who have gone astray. Individuals strongly believe that people cannot be brought to the right path by being sent to police and courts, rather they have to connect to their spiritual self. All members actively participate in several ceremonial gestures as a sign of bonding through music, dance, and craft skills. The Vodou temple in Haiti includes activities such as; dance hall, theater, hospital, music hall, court, and council chamber, this further emphasizes upon the values laid down by the Vodou tradition.
The Haitian culture peacefully co-exists other traditions, cultures, and religions; thus, it is commonly found in major cities of America. This pluralism also allows for the Haitian people to find support systems that makes it easier for them to adjust outside the home country (AAME). Furthermore, Haitian people influence the modern world in the healthcare sector. The Haitians have adopted traditional ways to cure illnesses and these are commonly used by people of other faiths and traditions. Alternative medicines are developed using natural resources; thus, it makes it easier for people to use these remedies to find cures for illnesses that may not be curable otherwise using modern medicine. Haitian people emphasize upon togetherness at time of illness and the like-minded people who follow the Vodou tradition come together at time of needs for their peers. Therefore, it may be possible to suggest that illness is the time when these people are closely bonded. However, at time of birth the celebrations also provide a source of bonding for the people of the Haitian culture, and throughout individuals growing stages there are pre-determined traditions that are commonly practiced and celebrated. The Haitian culture is most commonly associated with the Vodou tradition as mentioned above and it is just one of the prominent characteristics of this culture (Best Country Reports).
References
AAME : image. (n.d.). AAME : image. Retrieved May 26, 2014, from http://www.inmotionaame.org/migrations/topic.cfm;jsessionid=f8301634121401065314526?migration=12&topic=7&bhcp=1
Haiti Lifecycle. (n.d.). A Lifecycles Profile for Haiti by BestCountryReports.com. Retrieved May 26, 2014, from http://www.bestcountryreports.com/Soci_Haiti_Lifecycles.php
