Rara 2026: When Haiti Reconnects with its Roots in a Climate of Peaceful Fervor

The weekend of April 3-5, 2026, saw the resurgence of a tradition many thought had been stifled by crises and insecurity: the “Rara”. From John Brown Avenue to Delmas 38, passing through Léogâne, Cap-Haïtien, Jérémie, Les Cayes, and many others… processions of drums, vaksins, and popular songs filled the streets.

Colorful costumes, committed lyrics, liberating dance: the celebration delivered on its promises. And, a rare occurrence in Haiti for an event of this magnitude, no injuries or deaths were reported.

A Cultural Comeback Long on Hold

The “Rara”, an Afro-Haitian heritage blending spirituality, social protest, and rural carnival, had lost its splendor in recent years. Between chronic insecurity, the closure of many neighborhoods, and accelerated acculturation, younger generations seemed to shun this popular expression. This weekend reversed the trend. Processions animated by local groups paraded smoothly, carried by a collective energy that many considered extinguished.

A participant encountered in Delmas 38 summarized the general sentiment:

“I spent almost all of this year complaining, stressing. Now, it’s good to have a moment to let loose.”

Her testimony reveals an essential function of Rara: an outlet for accumulated tensions, a community therapy through the street and rhythm.

The Absence of Kites: A Sign of the Times

Astute observers will have noted a marked absence: that of kites, once associated with the Easter period and spring festivities. While some decry acculturation, the explanation is more prosaic. The security situation, with gangs controlling several areas and frequent shootings, makes any static gathering dangerous in the open spaces where this aerial game is traditionally practiced. Rara, however, is mobile, traversing; it evades the threat by moving. The disappearance of the kite is therefore not an identity denial, but a forced adaptation to insecurity.

Songs That Don't Dance Alone

The melodies heard blended joy and demands. Slogans against the government, calls for “a decent life” punctuated the processions. Rara has always been a cry of the people – under Duvalier, it already served as a masked political outlet. Today, in the open, the lyrics denounce the high cost of living, the powerlessness of authorities, the lack of prospects. The celebration does not divert from politics; it embodies it in its own raw, unfiltered way.

A Peaceful First That Raises Questions

The absence of violence during three days of popular gatherings in several cities constitutes a happy anomaly in the Haitian landscape. Rara, like carnivals, are often marred by incidents – brawls, fatal stampedes. This weekend, nothing. Should this be seen as the effect of citizen self-organization? Of a tacit gang truce? Or simply a collective will to preserve this fragile return to roots?