Tale of the Haitian Flag

The Haitian flag has endured many changes over the span of two centuries.  As Haiti celebrates a new era,  this illustrated post reflects on the most memorable Haitian flags.

Tale of the Haitian flag

Early 1500's
On crowded shabby boats,
They arrived in chains, from afar.
Replacing the natives
Who succumbed under forced labor.
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Early 1790's

Fighting back oppression
Became their primal desire.
The drum beat and conch call
Harmonized with their warring cries.
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Late 1790's

Revolution arose.
“A banner to lead us!” they begged.
Up went the tricolor.
“Onward!” they cried, waving it high.
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Year 1802

Soon it was apparent,
Flaunting the enemy’s banner
They were branded for life,
Their identity undefined.
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Year 1803

“Comrades!” called their leader,
"Let’s make this flag our contention."
He tore out the white stripe,
Wrote down these words: Freedom or Death.
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Year 1805

Some of them came to think,
“Out with the blue, the bourgeoisie."
Our flag shall bid our plight,
Skin and blood, death and victory.
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Mid 1860s

The emblem, they agreed,
Must reflect pride, not affliction.
They raised the blue and red,
The stripes riding the horizon.
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Year 1964

It’s said, “Beyond mountains,
 You will come upon more mountains."
*Négritude supporters
Once more imposed the black and red.
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Year 1987

They took one final stand
 Against the father and son's reign,
Stood as one, and once more
Proudly hoisted the blue and red.
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*Négritude was a literary and ideological movement started by black intellectuals, writers, and politicians in the 1930s for the purpose of affirming the black race and the worth of African history.

© 2011 Mandaly