"Pi gwo menas pou planèt nou an se kwayans ke yon lòt moun ap sove li."
The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.
-Robert Swan
Baie-de-Henne (Kreyol: Bè Deyèn, English: Henna Bay) is a town in the Môle Saint-Nicolas Arrondissement, Nord-Ouest, Haiti located on a peninsula at the northern edge of the Gulf of Gonâve. Its population was 17,277 at the 2015 census. Baie-de-Henne is the second least-populated town in the Northwest and ranks among the top 20 smallest towns in Haiti.
Location in northwestern Haiti
Overview[]
Location in Haiti
The village of Baie-de-Henne was founded in 1625. The founding settlers called the area Baie-de-Henne, meaning "Henna Bay". The name originates from a dye-producing plant that is cultivated today as a cash crop. Situated at the base of Henna Bay, the village is located on a strip of land created from restored sediments, with a gentle stream running on the shoreline.
History
The town of Baie-de-Henne was initially established as a district of the city of Môle Saint-Nicolas. In 1887, the residents, predominantly fishermen and sailors, submitted a petition to authorities requesting the elevation of their district to a municipality. Through the law passed on July 3rd, 1889, the Provisional Government officially recognized Baie-de-Henne as a commune of the 5th class. Tertullien Champagne played a significant role in advocating for the commune, being the first citizen to present the case to the Constituent Assembly in Gonaïves during the election of General Hippolyte as president. Despite the House of Commons voting in favor of a bill supporting the commune, the Senate rejected it based on the executive's concerns regarding the limited financial resources of the country.
Historic map
About
Baie-de-Henne's 1625 founding predates the 1764 founding of its parent city, the Môle . but in 1887, when the southern portion of the large commune of Môle Saint-Nicolas was split off to form Citronniers-Mare Rouge, it included the areas of Citerne-Rémy, Estère-Derée, Ti Paradis, and Dos-d'Ane. These localities opted out of leave Môle Saint-Nicolas became a part of the newly formed municipality of Baie-de-Henne.
The municipality of Baie-de-Henne is well-known for its dried fish, sessalines, and productive horses. The pier is essential for the residents and the transportation of goods to and from Bombardopolis. Early industries in the area included fishing, trade, and boat-building for coastal navigation. The land is inadequately cultivated because of inferior soil quality.
Villagers of this valley, and locals especially, are said to be welcoming. With a population of about 25,000 in four communal sections covering an area of 203 square kilometers, Baie-de-Henne is one of the most disadvantaged municipalities in the country. Several articles have depicted a dry picture of life in the deserted desert community.
Geography[]
Baie-de-Henne is located at 19°40′0″N 73°12′0″W. According to the IHSI, the town has a total area of 203.72 square kilometers (78.66 square miles), of which 132.64 km2 (65%) is rural, 71.08 km2 (35%) is suburban, and 0.73 km2 (>1%) is urban. Baie-de-Henne is positioned on the hilly Cape Foux peninsula, which extends into the Windward Passage and is the northernmost point of land at the entrance to the Gulf of Gonâve.
The town is bordered by Jean-Rabel to the north, Anse-Rouge to the east, Gulf of Gonâve to the south and Bombardopolis and Môle Saint-Nicolas to the west. Lamarre Resinier, a hill situated within the municipality, serves as its northeastern boundary, extending through the Doly locality.
The village of Baie-de-Henne is located in a coastal area, characterized by a plain with high temperatures. The commune of Baie-de-Henne includes four communal sections. Two of them (2nd Dos D'Ane and 3rd Ti Paradise sections) are situated within the commune and primarily consist of plains. The other two sections, 1st and 4th, are coastal regions. The first section is predominantly a plateau, while the 4th section consists of hills. The temperature of these two communal sections is considered tropical.
Neighborhoods
| BDH | Baie-De-Henne | 27,283 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VBE | Ville de Baie-de-Henne | Urban | 2,658 | ||
| CRM | 1ère Citerne Rémy | Rural | 1,548 | Boucan-Pécheur, Enclos, Jasmin, Nan Joseph, Nan Raquette, Nan Via, Saline-Lagon, Ti l'abbe. | |
| DOD | 2ème Section Dos D'Ane | Rural | 4,774 | Baptiste, Dos d'Ane, George-Callebassier, Gouimbère, Nan Borgon, Platon Nan Gommier, Tete-la Coupe. | |
| RVE | 3ème Section Réserve (ou Ti Paradis) | Rural | 15,728 | Calons, Estère, Justance, La Montagne, Maltine, Moreau, Nan Ti Mil, Platon la Coupe, Ti Rivière. | |
| LED | 4ème Section L'Estère Derée | Rural section | 2,575 | Baiseur, Chanpagne, Dune, Fimise-Poule, Grande-Anse, Gros-Trou, Hatte-Jacot, La Coupe, La Coupe Bourrique, L'Estere Déré, Magasin, Motieche, Nan Carré, Petite-Anse, Terre-Rouge, Ti Côte de Fer, Ti Lagon. |
Demography[]
The inhabitants of the town are called Baie-de-Hennois and Baie-de-Hennoise.
| Year | Population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1890 | 5,000 | |
| 1998 | 14,706 | +194% |
| 2003 | 17,277 | +17% |
| 2009 | 17,217 | -0.3% |
| 2015 | 17,277 | +0.3% |
Environment[]
Baie-de-Henne is among the three locations in the district where limestone marble can be found. Pink-colored reef limestones have been discovered along the bay's coastline.
Economy[]
Mango harvesting
Marche Saint-Michel Marketplace
On the economic and financial front, the commune of Baie-de-Henne has a hairdressing salon and a photo studio. However, the town lacks many essential commercial establishments.
The main economic activity is fishing and the sale of charcoal, the product of illegal logging.
Infrastructure[]
Baie-de-Henne, Haiti
In recent years, MINUSTAH has financed several projects under its Quick Impact Projects (QIPs). These include the construction of the town hall, the peace court and the police station. Electrification projects through the installation of solar streetlights, and water supply through the installation of artesian wells, have also been completed.
Transportation
The roads in Baie-de-Henne are described as winding, risky, and stupidly steep. Public transportation is scarce, with only coal-carrying trucks occasionally available for those unwilling to walk or ride a donkey to the nearest town. Route Departmentale 102 crosses through the town. The nearest regional air service can be reached at Anse-Rouge Airport in Anse-Rouge, a distance of 23km (14 mi). The nearest national air service is 174 km (108 miles) away at Cap-Haïtien International Airport.
Education
Lycee Philippe Champagne (Baie-de-Henne's high school)
The Ministry of National Education of Youth and Sports does not have a presence in the area. There is a kindergarten, 46 primary schools, 2 secondary schools, 2 literacy centers, and a high school.
Health
The Ministry of Health is also absent from this municipality. However, the six healthcare facilities listed include a health center without beds, four dispensaries, and a clinic. The medical staff includes a trainee doctor, a dentist, a nurse, 9 auxiliaries, 24 certified matrons, and a laboratory technician.
| Section | Institution | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2ème-Dos-d’Ane | Baie de Henne Clinic | Mixed |
| 2ème-Dos-d’Ane | Dispensaire Citerne Rémy | Public |
| 2ème-Dos-d Ane | Dispensaire Dupré | Private, but non-profit |
| 3ème-Réserve | Dispensaire La Source | Public |
| 3ème-Réserve | Disp. Petite Rivière Baie de Henne | Public |
| 4ème-L’estère-Deree | Clinic Sanitaire de Bassin Hardy | Public |
Utilities
Baie-de-Henne's water supply is sustained by at least three rivers and fifteen springs. The rivers are used for watering, while the springs are used for domestic purposes. The town does not have any ponds, lakes, or lagoons within its borders.
Baie-de-Henne is considered one of the most arid communes in the Republic. Unfortunately, only a portion of the population has access to drinking water through taps installed in a few private homes. This community, which some more commonly refer to as a ghost town, lacks a public fountain. Those who do not have water at home rely on the generosity of the more fortunate individuals for this precious resource.
Furthermore, the commune of Baie-de-Henne does not have collective electrification. The wealthier residents rely on their own sources of energy within their homes. While electricity has disappeared in other cities for years, Baie-de-Henne has never experienced it. The unused pylons stand as a reminder of this fact, with no electric wires in sight. Unfortunately, it seems unlikely that this lonesome burg, isolated in a remote corner between the sea, the sun, and the surrounding desert, will witness electric lighting anytime soon.
Admministration[]
The the law of September 10, 1890 created the garrison of this commune, made up of a gendarmerie company, an artillery company, an administrative police company, rural police and the national guard on foot and on horseback.
Culture[]
Eglise Catholilque Baie-de-Henne
Religion
On the religious side, there are a total of 34 temples in the municipality of Baie-de-Henne, encompassing all beliefs except Vodun. The Pentecostal temples hold the majority, followed by the Baptist temples.
Communication
Communication in Baie-de-Henne includes a telephone service limited to public offices, with individuals needing to visit the Teleco office for assistance. The municipality has a radio station, but print and television media are scarce.
Leisure
Other than the 16 gagueres, the commune lacks leisure activities. Soccer (football) is the sole sport practiced.
Organizations
Various organizations are present in Baie-de-Henne, including three political parties, five grassroots organizations, eight peasant groups, a women's group, a non-commercial cooperative, three NGOs, and five international organization representations.
- Groupe Femme Espoir de Baie-de-Henne (GFEBH) is an organization that is dedicated to irrigation projects that increase agriculture production.
- Charita Pro-Haiti is a charitable organization that supports health and education.
References and Links[]
More pictures of Baie-de-Henne [1]
IMF Mobile clinic [2]
ADEMA [3]
Digicel Foundation [4]
Liste des institutions sanitaires - [5]
"Inventaire des ressources miniere de la Republic d'Haiti" - Bureau des mines et d'energie [6]
"Ville Baie-de-Henne (Belle Plage)" - BlackStyl Magazine [7]
"Baie-de-Henne" - Aristoteles Socrates [8]
"Baie-de-Henne, Haiti the end of the world" - T-production [9]
Michael Vedrine