Bahon (Kreyòl: Bawon) is a commune in Northern Haiti. It is located on Haiti's Great North River. The town shares a borough with a city of the same name, Grande-Rivière-du-Nord, a place well known for its fast-flowing waterway; consequently, Bahon's history, economy, and culture are closely aligned with those of its larger neighbor. The population of Bahon was 17,447 at the time of the 2003 census and estimated at 23,251 in mid-2015.
Location in Haiti, and on Hispaniola
History[]
Bahon was initially established in 1910 under the name "Raque-à-Zinga" in the southernmost area of the North Department. Situated along a prominent river, it was connected to the City of Cap-Haïtien by a railway which stopped operating in 1915. By 1932, Bahon was officially recognized as a commune.
Origin of the name[]
Bahon is a settlement from the 19th century located in the southwest corner of Grand Rivière's Valley in Haiti. The exact origin of its name remains uncertain, although some sources suggest a connection to France and Spain, specifically the Brittany Region of the former.
Ville de Bahon as viewed from the from the Police Station
Geography[]
Bahon is located at 19.4683, -72.1088. Its border runs along the commune of Grande-Rivière on the north, Sainte-Suzanne on the east, Ranquitte and Pignon on the southeast and Saint-Raphaël on the west. Bahon relies on the nearby city of Grande-Rivière-du-Nord for local commerce and trade.
Due to its mountainous location, Bahon is considered one of the most isolated towns in Haiti; it's mountainous location guarantees challenging access. It is connected to Pignon by a small strip of land that contains Bahon's main road, surrounded by mountains on all other sides. This unique geographical position gives Bahon a distinct regional identity. Despite the perception of being separate from the rest of the country due to landscapes and road conditions, Bahon, along with its neighbor Ranquitte, is indeed part of the Republic of Haiti. The town is divided by the Grande Rivière du Nord (Great North River) into a larger western area and a smaller eastern section known as Bois Pin (Pinewood).
Along the Grand Rivière in Bahon
The commune of Bahon has two other Communal Sections, Bailly and Montagne Noire (Black Mountain). It is an interior commune. The relief of the town center largely consists of plains and that of the communal sections with semi-arid foothills and dry mountains. Depending on the environment, the climate of the municipality of Bahon can be temperate, hot or cool. Overall it has a mild tropical climate. Temperatures in Bahon vary between 24°C and 30°C (75° to 85° F). All through the year, it is pretty warm in Bahon. It has two rainy seasons: one going from March to June and the other from August to November. The town receives an average of 950 mm (37 in.) of rain spread throughout the year. These rains are generally heavy.
To the west is located Gonaïves, at a distance of 100 km 62 miles. Shores of the vast Atlantic Ocean are located to the north of Bahon at a distance of about 30 km 20 miles.
Bahon communal map
Neighborhoods[]
| BAH | Bahon | 23,251 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VBH | Ville de Bahon | 2,841 | |||
| BPI | Rural | 6,471 | Charon, La Fito, La Vertu, Mompoint, Obéissance, Platon-Bois Pin, Saint-Malon | ||
| BIL | Rural section | 10,662 | Bail, Canivet, Chéry, Lacéré, Lancoste, Lori, Mariane, Plaine-Baille, Platon, Platon-Bail | ||
| MNO | Rural | 3,277 | Bois Pin, Desravines, La Hatte, Nan Curie, Rivière |
Demography[]
The inhabitants of the commune of Bahon are called Bahonnais/e.
| Year | Population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 13,095 | |
| 1971 | 10,683 | -18% |
| 1982 | 16,357 | +53% |
| 1998 | 22,020 | +35% |
| 2003 | 17,447 | -21% |
| 2009 | 21,145 | +21% |
| 2015 | 23,251 | +10% |
Economy[]
Bahon Main Street
Bahon, located in Northern Haiti, heavily relies on agricultural production and livestock as the primary sources of income for its residents. In order to sell these products, the locals often have to travel to the markets in Grande-Rivière or Cap-Haïtien. Traders from these cities, and even as far as Port-au-Prince, frequently supply themselves with goods from Bahon. Aside from the nine grocery stores that have been documented in Bahon, there are no other commercial establishments in the commune.
The commune of Bahon and the commune of Grande-Rivière du Nord, often studied as a single place, is a pivotal area between the Central Plateau and the North. At the start of the 20th century (1900s), the vegetation of the municipality was mainly composed of logwood, the valley areas were occupied in sugar cane, and the foothills in coffee. Systematic logging for export during the first half of the 1900s resulted in deforestation, gradual development of the area, and the settlement of many residents.
From 1932 to 1948, fig-banana plantations were set up in the region, both in the foothills and valleys along the rivers, just like in the entire northern area, to be sold by "Standard Fruit". Starting from the 1950s and 1960s, oranges, ginger, and eventually cocoa were cultivated in the foothills and gradually expanded to higher areas.
Today, the town has two distinct sides depending on which side of the river you are on. In the Bailly and Montagnes Noires areas on the left bank, there is a dense agroforestry system featuring mango, avocado, and cashew trees. On the other hand, the Pine section to the east is dominated by an intensive agricultural system. This town is recognized as one of the main cashew producers in the Northern department, offering two distinct varieties. Cashew trees are systematically cultivated within agroforestry systems, which may vary in complexity.
Infrastructure[]
Transportation[]
Cap-Haïtien International Airport is the closest airport. Road transport is accessible through Route Nationale 3 at the southern end of the town, just beyond the border in Pignon. There are no numbered routes or highways passing through the town. Although the railway connecting Bahon to Cap-Haitien via Bahon still exists, it is currently not in operation. Gonaïves and Cap-Haïtien serve as the two nearest ports to Bahon.
The roads that lead from the city to the communal sections, as well as those that connect the communal sections to each other, consist of paths and dirt roads, as noted by red (paths) or brown (trails) dotted lines on the map. A traveler describes the commute into Bahon:
- "To reach Bahon or Ranquitte, the only current option is to travel by motorcycle. You ride to Grande-Rivière, walk across the cut road, and catch another motorcycle on the other side. If you have your own motorcycle, you can still cross but must pay a fee. At the river's edge, around fifty young boys act as smugglers. To cross with a motorcycle, you must pay them 100 Gourdes each way. If you don't want to pay or don't have a motorcycle, you can leave it behind and find a taxi on the other side. A real business".
Education[]
College Adventiste de Bahon
The Ministry of National Education of Youth and Sports does not have a presence in the Commune. There are twenty-five mostly private primary schools, literacy centers, and one high school, Lycee Nationale Gregoire Eugene, that are included in the town's directory.
| Schools in the town of Bahon | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| •Ecole AEM de Baille •Ecole St Joseph |
•Foyer Evangelique Baptiste •College Adventiste de Bahon |
•Ecole Conservatrice de Bailly •Ecole La Foi Apostolique |
•Ecole Notre Dame de Bailly •Ecole National Montagne Noire |
Bahon Town Hall
Health[]
The Ministry of Public Health and Population is not present in Bahon. There is a health center with no beds and a private clinic. At Saint Joseph Medical Center, a nurse and three assistants offer health services in the area. Mobile clinics also serve the community. A healthcare professional highly praises these mobile clinics, stating that they are the most effective method to improve the health of the population. They provide an opportunity to engage with the most remote communities and understand their living conditions and health requirements.
Utilities[]
The town currently lacks electricity, but it is equipped with a river, five springs, and nine artesian wells to meet its domestic water supply needs.
Administration[]
The municipality of Bahon has a Police Station, a Peace Court and a Civil Status Office in place for administrative and judicial matters.
Organizations[]
- Sonje Ayiti, based in Linden, Michigan, USA, is currently running active programs in Bahon and other northern areas, focusing on education, economic growth, and health improvement.
Culture[]
Religion[]
Many Catholics live here. St. Joseph Parish meets the spiritual needs of the Catholic residents. Volunteers from the Catholic Church manage the medical clinics, thereby making valuable contributions to the healthcare and educational requirements of the people living in Bahon.
Communication[]
Telephone services are unavailable, and the postal service operates with a limited staff size.
Leisure[]
When it comes to leisure activities, the municipality of Bahon lacks a library, museum, theater, or cinema. There are only fourteen gaguères available. The sports that people in the town enjoy playing are football (soccer) and volleyball.
Heritage[]
Two forts have been identified as historical sites in Bahon, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the region. The patron saint of the commune is Saint-Joseph, whose feast day is celebrated annually on the 19th of March.
Food[]
A dish, referred to as 'poul ak nwa' (English: "Chicken and nuts"), is considered a delicacy in this area and has its roots in the northern region of the country. It is a delightful blend of cashew nuts and chicken.
References[]
MARNDR [1]
Ranquitte et Bahon [2]
A visit to Bahon, med and food for kids [3]
Venzo Van - local guide [4], April 23, 2024
Cedric Mesidor - local guide [5], April 23, 2024 Michael Vedrine