Cultural Studies: Demographics and Culture

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1.What are the demographics of your country

Based on the current statistics by the World Bank, Haiti’s 2008 population stand at about 9.8 million, up from and estimation of 9.7 million in the year 2007. The population growth rate averages around 1.6%. the 2010 July estimates put the population size at 9,035,536 (Haiti, 2010).2.How many people are there per square mile?

Population density in the year 2008 stood about 27,800 persons per square kilometers. given that the population is about 9.8 million while the size of the country is 10,714 sq miles, impliedly , the population density per square miles would be 9.8milioion/10,714 sq miles which translates into 915 persons per miles.

3 population 20 years ago? 40 years ago?

20 years ago in 1990, Hiati’s population was 6.473 million, while 40 years ago, the population was about 4.5 million 4. Culture Haiti

Summarily, the Haitian culture is not homogenous, but gives a reflection of a mixer of African, French and Indian practices. Linguistically, French is the most common foreign language used as mode of communication in the country, and as one of the official language. The most popular native language is Kreyol. The language became the main official language from 1987, as French became the secondary one. As such, the Kreyol is the national language which is used in communication and other functions of national importance. The influence of migrations into and out of US has made English to become very popular to the level of overtaking French. There is a strong attachment to Catholicism in the country, with more than 80% of the population’s followers. Significantly, “religion is a powerful force in Haitian culture’ (Institute for Disaster Mental Health, 2010). However, the catholic faith has been enriched with local traditions that are African in nature. For example, there is vodoun practice that is more of a belief in magic. According to Jacobson (2003), voodoo “exists side by side with Christian faiths”, with the very ritualistic Catholic adapting itself to the local rituals. Significantly, the traditional believes are still respected and practiced in many parts of the country though a huge size of the Haitian population profess Christianity. Christian marriages and customs are very common with parties being held to mark baptism and wedding ceremonies. During such ceremonies, the parties are spiced with local foods. The drum serves as the widely used music instrument in such occasions. These foods include local cola, cakes and rum, which are locally made.

The issue of women empowerment and stereotyping is very common more so in the rural areas. The women in the rural areas are expected to be subordinate to their husbands in major domestic and family affairs. In the urban centers equality has taken centre stage though female domestic workers are lowly paid. The society believes that the ancestors have the power and capability to sway things and the lives of those who are live. Finally, The Haitians respect visitors, and they are treated with courtesy and well as reverence. Greeting is given great attachment; they are required not to leave a home without eating or drinking anything. Staple food is rice and beans. A visitor is equally expected to be respectful, accepts the host’s lifestyle and not to be rude, like lives without notifying the hosts.

References

Jacobson, E. (2003). Introduction to Haitian Culture

For Rehabilitation Service Providers. Retrieved August 25, 2010, from HYPERLINK “http://cirrie.buffalo.edu/monographs/haiti.pdf” http://cirrie.buffalo.edu/monographs/haiti.pdf.

Haiti (2010). Haiti Population Retrieved August 25, 2010, from

HYPERLINK “http://www.indexmundi.com/haiti/population.html” http://www.indexmundi.com/haiti/population.html

Institute for Disaster Mental Health (2010). Tip Sheet on Haitian Culture Retrieved

August 25, 2010, from http://www.rhin.org/UPLOAD/Hatian%20Culture%20tip%20sheet-IDMH.pdf.