Anse-d'Hainault

Anse-d'Hainault (Kreyol: Ansdeno) is a commune located on the extreme western tip of Haiti's Tiburon Peninsula. Part of the Anse-d'Hainault Arrondissement in the Grand'Anse Department, the city has a low-density population of 30,000 residents and a low-humidity tropical climate. Its mineral-rich soil contains clay deposits, and its terrain is studded with farmlands and indigenous vegetation. As elsewhere in Haiti, Anse-d'Hainault is a predominately Catholic community.

Etymolygy[]

This small town was named for its cove, which bears the name of the French settler Hainault or Eynault. His house was in the neighborhood, located some sixty kilometers (40 miles) from Jérémie, the metropolis of the Grand'Anse Department, and almost at the extreme tip of the Southern Peninsula. Its geographical location, its population, the beauty of its landscapes, and the abundance and diversity of its agricultural production, make it one of the most attractive cities of the Grand'Anse.

History[]

Moreau de St-Rémy traces the foundation of the city to 1798 during the evacuation of the English from Fort Îlet à Pierre Joseph. It has kept the name of the French settler's habitation who settled there thanks to the victory of the colonial army. But it was raised to the rank of commune in 1817 on the occasion of the official opening of its port to foreign trade.

• Jean-Baptiste Perrier, also known as Goman, served as the commander of the 2nd Battalion of the 19th half-Brigade stationed in L'Anse d'Hainault. Due to his dissatisfaction with unpaid wages and lack of proper attire, Goman took advantage of the absence of the 18th half-Brigade in Jérémie, who had departed for Port-au-Prince during the city's siege by Christophe in 1807. He abandoned his assigned location and led his battalion to Jérémie to assert his authority. However, given his rebellious nature and infamous reputation, the residents of Jérémie responded to his arrival with cannon blasts. Defeated, disheartened, and discontented, Goman sought refuge in the woods of Grande'Anse, where he became the leader of a gang of bandits that wreaked havoc in the countryside of Jérémie and its surrounding settlements. His lieutenants included Jason Domingon, J.B. Lagarde, César Nouvelet, Desormeaux, Saint-Louis Botteaux, and others. Eventually, Christophe bestowed upon Goman the title of Comte de Jérémie. However, in 1820, after thirteen years of resistance, Gilles Bénech captured and executed him in the heights of Anse Hainault.

• The law of April 25, 1817 and that of November, 20 1821 fixed its legal distance to the capital at 75 leagues.

• In 1892, the State provided 800 gourdes for the repair of the Church. Additionally, a budget of 4,000 gourdes was allocated for the completion of the fountain in 1886-87, as people had to travel a quarter of a league to fetch water, especially during droughts.

• On February 1st, 1843, General Lazarre, the Borough Commander, raised the flag of the revolution and allied with the revolutionary factions of Praslin. Leading the popular army, he proceeded to Jérémie. During his absence, Colonel Cazeau des Cayes took control of the village on February 6 on behalf of President Boyer's Government. The citizens of Jérémie sent a deputation to persuade him to join the Revolution He declined their request, stating that he intended to follow the instructions of his Borough Commander, General Borgella, who was in command of Les Cayes. However, as Colonel Cazeau was on the verge of being abandoned by his troops, he was soon forced to leave L'Anse d'Hainault and make his way to Les Irois, allowing the people's army of Jérémie to enter the village. Some of the residents of the area were recognized for their selflessness and contributions. These individuals were Messrs. MM. Lebreton, Stanislas Tabuteau, Fourneaux Jeune, Mouras Père, Clette, Ismé Paret, Salès, Codiau, Bellefleur, and Jambon. The first individual had risked both his life and fortune, even financing the army upon his departure for Jérémie.

• Anse d'Hainault witnessed violent confrontations during the Cacos revolution in 1869. The authorities managed to capture the Cacos, but they were not completely eradicated until March 1870, which was three months after the revolution's victory and the assassination of President Salnave in Port-au-Prince.

• During the 1940s, Anse d'Hainault enjoyed an economic boom. As boats from the Standard Fruit and Steamship Company came to embark Anse d'Hainault, trucks lined the roads in a single file, carrying around 22,000 banana-fig loads. The money earned from this thriving industry was directly handed over to the peasants on a weekly basis, without any intermediaries. Additionally, any surplus loads that the boats couldn't accommodate were made available to the local population. This meant that everyone had the opportunity to help themselves as they pleased. During this period, even the beggars were not required to ask passers-by for assistance; instead, they were invited to partake in complimentary feasts. These feasts were held either at the Standard Fruit sheds or at public markets, where any unsold food such as real trees, avocados, and bananas were left behind for consumption.

Geography[]

Anse-d'Hainault is located at 18°30′0″N, 74°27′0″W. According to the IHSI, this commune has a total land area of 94.03 square kilometers (36.31 square miles). It is bordered on the north by the town of Dame-Marie, on the northeast by the town of Chambellan, on the east by the town of Moron, and on the south by the town of Les Irois. The western border is defined by the shores of the Windward Passage, with Navassa Island located approximately 35 kilometers (56 miles) to the west.

Anse-d'Hainault is divided into four communal sections. Two of these sections, ^1reGrandoit and ^2eBoudon, are considered inland areas, while the other two sections (^3eÎlet à Pierre-Joseph, ^4eMandou) and the city center are located along the coast. The Îlet River provides a refreshing freshwater bath.

The first three communal sections are mostly hilly terrain, while the city center and the fourth section are mostly flat land. The temperature in Anse-d'Hainault can vary between hot and temperate depending on the time of year.

Commune map of Anse-d'Hainault, . — Commune map of Anse-d'Hainault, Haiti.

Neighborhoods[]

ADH	Anse-d'Hainault		36,401
VAH	Ville d'Anse-d'Hainault	Urban	14,030
GDO	1ère Section Grandoit	Rural section	3,166	Déjac, Franklin, Grandois, Haut-Jonc, Lumette, Nan Six, Péligrin, Sarc, Soulé.
BDO	2ème Section Boudon	Rural	7,291	Calumette, Decotelette, Gros-Morne, Nan Baid, Nan Roche, Noel, Sicard, Tapona, Vincent.
IPJ	3ème Section Îlet à Pierre Joseph	Rural	8,162	Boyer, Casal, Durocher, Escamel, Gabriel, Leblanc, Lezinc, Malette, Nan Georges, Nan Maçon, Nan Mala, Paraclet, Roban.
MDO	4ème Section Mandou	Rural	3,752	Basié, Bernard, Découverte, Dossous, Mandou, Perroquet.

Demography

The residents of Anse-d'Hainault are known as Anselais or Hainaudin.

Year	Population	Change
1890	12,000
1950	13,020	+9%
1971	14,539	12%
1982	20,575	+42%
1998	30,549	+48%
2003	23,185	-24%
2009	33,103	+43%
2015	36,401	+10%

Economy[]

Fishing is a major economic activity in the municipality due to its proximity to the sea. Agriculture, trade, and crafts also play significant roles in the local economy. The residents engage in trade with Les Irois and Dame-Marie, with Jérémie and Port-au-Prince serving as the main export outlets.

The commune produces a variety of goods such as coffee, cocoa, campeche, bamboo, shipbuilding timber, a wide range of food items, fruits, and pickles. Campeches are exported to Europe and the United States. Additionally, there are indications of copper mines in the area, along with mineral waters, red ochres, copper ores, marble, silex, and flint.

In terms of economic and financial infrastructure, the commune is lacking. There is only a hotel and five restaurants available.

Market day falls on Saturday, with the main markets being Boudon in the 2nd section and Marche Gabriel in the 3rd section.

Modernization of fishing industry

[1]

Infrastructure[]

Anse d'Hainault offers numerous advantages for its development. However, the process is slow to occur.

Transportation

Anse-d'Hainault is on the Route Departmentale 702 roadway, which is located between Jérémie and Les Anglais.

Education

The municipality is supported by the Ministry of National Education, Youth, and Sports, which has a school inspection office in the area. There are a total of two kindergartens and fourteen primary schools in Anse d'Hainault, including seven public schools, five private schools, and two congregational schools. At the secondary level, there are three schools, one public and two private, with a high school that offers courses up to rhetoric. Additionally, there are two Literacy Centers and four Technical and Vocational Schools. However, there is no university in the town of Anse-d'Hainault.

Health

In the field of health, the Ministry of Public Health and Population does not have a presence in the commune. There were two public hospitals and a private clinic identified, along with three doctors, a dentist, two nurses, and eight auxiliary staff members.

Utilities

The town of Anse-d'Hainault has a total of four rivers, six springs, and a pond. Additionally, there are twenty wells and seven public fountains. These various water sources provide for the needs of the town's residents. However, it is important to note that only the town center of Anse-d'Hainault is powered by Electricity D'Haiti (EDH). The electricity is available for a total of 42 hours per week.

Security

The municipality's administrative and judicial infrastructure consists of two peace courts, a prison, a registry office, and a police station with a staff of eight policemen. The garrison in the area consists of the 19th line infantry regiment, half of the 2nd Battalion of the 2nd line artillery regiment, an administrative police company, the rural police, and the National Guard on foot and on horseback. Notably, the 19th Regiment played a significant role in the Merisier case in 1888, particularly in front of Jacmel.

The Court of peace of L'Anse Hainault falls under the jurisdiction of the Civil Court of Jérémie. The schools of the municipality are under the Tiburon district.

Culture[]

Its patron saint is Saint John the Baptist, celebrated on June 24 of each year.

Religion

In Anse-d'Hainault, there are five Catholic churches, four Baptist churches, three Adventist churches, six Pentecostal churches, and two Kingdom Halls of Jehovah's Witnesses.

The lodge of L'Anse d'Hainault is The improvement of the morals No.14, part of the Grand Orient of Haiti.

Holy Trinity Catholic Church

Following the 7.0 magnitude earthquake in 2010, Holy Trinity Catholic Church (HTCC) in Washington D.C. has shown unwavering support for Haiti. They recently hosted their Third Annual Haiti Committee Dinner to highlight the resilience of the Haitian people in the face of immense challenges caused by the earthquake. They showcased how Haiti has been rebuilding after the devastating event.

Communication

The town is equipped with a telephone call center consisting of four cabins, three of which are operational. Unfortunately, there is no post office, newspaper/magazine, or television station within the municipality. However, there are two radio stations available.[2]

The post, comimg from Abricots, Jérémie, Port-au-Prince and points north, arrives on Tuesday evening, and departs the following Monday for the same destinations by a courier on foot. Another courier service transports mail to Tiburon and the rest of the south, moving from post to post.

Organizations[]

The commune does not have political parties. There were two grassroots organizations and two international organizations.

Fondation Famille et Amis d'Haiti works to improve the quality of life in the area.

Leisure

As for Leisure, the town has three libraries, a cinema room equipped with a video system, and a theater room located in the parish hall. Various sports are also practiced in the town, including football, volleyball, basketball, athletics, and cycling.

The town does not have monuments or historical sites.

Anse-D'Hainault, Haiti

References[]

Anse d'Hainault [3]

Boroughs and municipalities: Grande-Anse [4]

_{Michael Vedrine}