WELCOME
Jacmel AND THE MADIGRA EXPERIENCE
My BELOVED homeTown OF JACMEL
My Hometown "Yaquimel"
The town's name is derived from its indigenous Taíno name Yaquimel.
In 1925, Jacmel was named the "City of Light," becoming the first in the Caribbean to have electricity. The modern town of Jacmel was established in 1698 after France seized control of what would later become the Republic of Haiti from Spain.
Located on the south coast of the south Peninsula, Jacmel quickly grew into a key port on the Caribbean Sea and benefitted from the lucrative export of coffee in the nineteenth century. Unfortunately, the city was devastated in 1896 by a fire that destroyed most of its traditional gingerbread architecture.
Jacmel could be described as a cross-cultural and multilingual heritage town, reflecting its history as a melting pot of Indian, French, African, and Spanish cultures. Earning the nickname The "Creative City," it is known for its cuisine, its music, and its annual festival celebrations.
A visual dive into Jacmel’s Carnival
Among the renewed efforts to draw tourists to the Carnival of Jacmel, UNESCO recognized the town in 2014 as a “Creative City of Crafts and Folk Arts.” So much could be said about this mid-winter festivity; it is a showcase for Haiti’s artists and a trip through the past and the present. Kaleidoscope of colors with their famous mask made with “Papier maché » (a substance consisting of paper mixed with some glue), the carnival of Jacmel is a feast for the senses. Keep scrolling down and discover some of the famous personages of the parade.
Photo by RPP Ramon Photograph, Jacmel
"Zèl Maturen" (Mathurin's wings)
Dr. Jean Elie Gilles reports that Zel Mathurin is a creation of Mathurin Gousse. At the time, the young Mathurin studied medicine in Germany and attended the opera Mefistofele by Arrigo Boito. One of the «creatures» in this opera inspired Mathurin to create what we know today as Zèl Mathurin (The wings of Mathurin), a batlike monster with horns.
Photo by RPP Ramon Photograph, Jacmel
Chaloska
Chaloska is a character inspired by Charles Oscar Etienne. This general, who killed hundreds of political prisoners, is still one of the most represented characters at the Jacmel carnival.
Architecture, Arts & Crafts: A MUST SEE
A walk through the historic Jacmel is a must. The architecture of individual townhouses is just one element of the city’s artistic pedigree. Make sure you take a tour while listening to the story behind every single one of them.
Photo by RPP Ramon Photograph, Jacmel
"Bassin bleu" or 3 breath taking natural pools
Bassin Bleu is located 12 kilometers northwest of the city of Jacmel, in the Sud-Est department of Haiti. It comprises a series of cobalt-blue pools connected by waterfalls and majestically guarded by impressive rock formations. These pools are hidden and tempting; sometimes turquoise, deep blue, or mystically translucent, depending on the position of the sun and the time of the day. To fully grasp the power of Bassin Bleu and understand that neither words nor pictures are enough to describe the site fully, one has only one option:
18°14′03″ N, 72° 35′17″O
Photo by RPP Ramon Photograph, Jacmel
Sea, sun, and ... boat?
You can't go to Jacmel and not drive east to discover the coastline's many beach sites: Kabic, Ti Mouillage, and Raymond
les Bains. Having lunch by the sea is essential to complete your journey.
Be part of the creativity!
At this point, you surely have realized your immense talents in Jacmel. You have to visit the many arts & crafts shops, and you can also enjoy an atelier with one of the local artisans. "Bon Bagay" was the reaction of those two birds.
Please go to our store to get your Funky Konpa items!
Welcome!
Please Subscribe to My Youtube Channel