Three Things to Know about Leogane and Why They Will Build Back Stronger than Ever Before
By Melissa Price, Communications Officer
Leogane was the closest town to the January 12 earthquake’s epicenter, and 90 percent of the city’s buildings and infrastructure were destroyed. Every one of Leogane’s 150,000 residents has been affected by this disaster.
IRD has chosen Leogane as its primary response site for relief and rebuilding activities, including shelter, sanitation, water, building reconstruction, and agriculture programs.
Given the magnitude of destruction, you might ask how the people of Leogane will survive and thrive in the years to come. Here’s a short list of things you should know about the people of Leogane. It’s just a peek into the enormous pride, strength, and resilience of these men and women.
1. Proud Royal Heritage
At the time of Columbus's arrival in 1492, there were five Taino chiefdoms on the island of Hispaniola. Leogane was built on the site of the town of Yaguana, the capital of Xaragua province, which was ruled by Queen Anacaona. One of the highest Taino chiefs, Anacaona negotiated treaties with Christopher Columbus’ younger brother, Bartholomew Columbus, and the Spanish in 1496. However, the Spanish turned against the Taino people, and Anacaona was later arrested and hung at the age of 39. She is much revered in Haiti, recognized by many as a founder of their country. More recently, Leogane was also the birthplace of Marie-Claire Heureuse Felicite, the wife of the Haitian revolutionary Jean-Jacques Dessalines, and Simone Duvalier, a First Lady of Haiti.
2. Strong Agricultural Background
In pre-Columbian times, the Tainos lived a mainly agrarian lifestyle. The people’s connection to the land continued through the Spanish rule of the island. During the 18th century, the French specifically encouraged the growth of sugar cane, tobacco, indigo, cotton, and cacao. With increased planting came increased importation of African slaves to work the land. The success of modern-day Leogane was born in the fields of sugar cane and banana trees, and it is the back-breaking work of those in the field that has carried Leogane through the centuries.
3. Resilient in the Face of Disaster
Slave revolts in the late 18th century and early 19th century led to the Haitian Revolution. While most of the French colonists fled ahead of the defeated French army, Leogane remained as a French stronghold and was consequently burned to the ground in the early 1800s.
Prior to the Revolution, Leogane had been destroyed by an earthquake in 1770. With the near total destruction caused by the January 12, 2010 earthquake, Leogane and her people have suffered three devastating disasters in less than 250 years, all of which have nearly wiped them from the map. Yet, each time, they rise again—prouder, stronger, and more resilient than ever before.
Leogane was the closest town to the January 12 earthquake’s epicenter, and 90 percent of the city’s buildings and infrastructure were destroyed. Every one of Leogane’s 150,000 residents has been affected by this disaster.
IRD has chosen Leogane as its primary response site for relief and rebuilding activities, including shelter, sanitation, water, building reconstruction, and agriculture programs.
Given the magnitude of destruction, you might ask how the people of Leogane will survive and thrive in the years to come. Here’s a short list of things you should know about the people of Leogane. It’s just a peek into the enormous pride, strength, and resilience of these men and women.
1. Proud Royal Heritage
At the time of Columbus's arrival in 1492, there were five Taino chiefdoms on the island of Hispaniola. Leogane was built on the site of the town of Yaguana, the capital of Xaragua province, which was ruled by Queen Anacaona. One of the highest Taino chiefs, Anacaona negotiated treaties with Christopher Columbus’ younger brother, Bartholomew Columbus, and the Spanish in 1496. However, the Spanish turned against the Taino people, and Anacaona was later arrested and hung at the age of 39. She is much revered in Haiti, recognized by many as a founder of their country. More recently, Leogane was also the birthplace of Marie-Claire Heureuse Felicite, the wife of the Haitian revolutionary Jean-Jacques Dessalines, and Simone Duvalier, a First Lady of Haiti.
2. Strong Agricultural Background
In pre-Columbian times, the Tainos lived a mainly agrarian lifestyle. The people’s connection to the land continued through the Spanish rule of the island. During the 18th century, the French specifically encouraged the growth of sugar cane, tobacco, indigo, cotton, and cacao. With increased planting came increased importation of African slaves to work the land. The success of modern-day Leogane was born in the fields of sugar cane and banana trees, and it is the back-breaking work of those in the field that has carried Leogane through the centuries.
3. Resilient in the Face of Disaster
Slave revolts in the late 18th century and early 19th century led to the Haitian Revolution. While most of the French colonists fled ahead of the defeated French army, Leogane remained as a French stronghold and was consequently burned to the ground in the early 1800s.
Prior to the Revolution, Leogane had been destroyed by an earthquake in 1770. With the near total destruction caused by the January 12, 2010 earthquake, Leogane and her people have suffered three devastating disasters in less than 250 years, all of which have nearly wiped them from the map. Yet, each time, they rise again—prouder, stronger, and more resilient than ever before.
Labels: disaster, earthquake, Haiti, relief
posted by Melissa at
7:58 AM
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