Mélange Travel & Lifestyle Magazine January 2017 | Page 225

Events

JANUARY 1

Haiti Independence Haiti is the first country in the Caribbean to gain its independence . Christopher Columbus discovered the island in 1492 and named it Hispanola ( Little Spain ). The French settlers renamed the island , Haiti which means “ mountainous land ”. Toussaint L ’ Ouverture and his generals led the country to independence from France in 1803 and this independence is celebrated on January 1st .

JANUARY 2 Ancestry Day Processions mark this day which celebrate the country ’ s forefathers who fought valiantly to free themselves from France ’ s colonial rule .

FEBRUARY 28

Culmination of Carnival Music , costumed masqueraders , colourful parades celebrating the country ’ s culture with carnival festivity throughout the country .
© Simon Russell Photography
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