Bonbon (English: Candy) is a municipality located in the in the Grand Anse Department of Haiti, west of Jérémie. The town is known for its exotic beaches. To the north of Bonbon lies the Windward Passage and to the northeast lies the Strait of Jamaica. As of the 2015 census, the commune had a population of 8,610 and is the smallest of the six communes comprising the Jérémie Arrondissement.
Bonbon was first settled in 1713, and officially incorporated in 1933 from the northwestern portion of the large commune of Jérémie. Previously, the area was known as "Trou Bonbon", which was a rural area within Jérémie. The town derived its name from the French term "Bonbon," which translates to "Candy" in English. The name also had a connection to the local culture as it was influenced by the popularity of Clairin, a homemade rum that is enjoyed by residents and is quite popular in the area.
History[]
Monument of Msgr Carl Edouard nee 2-6-11 Bishop of Jérémie
Before European colonization the area that is now Bonbon was occupied by Taíno tribes. Around 1670, the French Army started building a military outpost that would serve as a stronghold for the Grande-Anse District during the independence wars. The post was positioned on a cliff overlooking Bonbon's Harbor, a bay that offered a safe haven for ships. This bay, Trou Bonbon, later became the namesake of the town founded in the early 19th century.
The area's population grew after the erection of the rural school and chapel. In June 1890, a bill was presented in the House suggesting the elevation of this neighborhood to the status of a 5th class commune. However, the Minister of the Interior, St-M. Dupuy, opposed the project. Eventually, the settlement was designated as a district according to the law passed on April 25, 1917. Prior to 1906, the area was referred to as La Bonbon. It is believed that the name "Bonbon" originated from the port of this city, where both English and Spanish visitors would frequently purchase sweet syrup. Bonbon's history was marked by various other industries, including a diverse range of coffee production.
Geography[]
Bonbon, Haiti
Bonbon is located at 18.6663° N, 74.2436° W. According to the IHSI, the commune has a total area of 31.88 square kilometers (12.31 square miles), of which 31.46 km² is the commune's sole section of Desormeaux and 0.42 km² is the town center, Ville de Bonbon. This small village is located on the road from Jérémie to Dame-Marie, on a coastal plain with a hot climate. The weather tends to be cooler only from December to February. The communal section is located on a plateau, offering a pleasant climate. Daytime temperatures can reach a maximum of 29°C (84°F), with occasional windy days.
Communal Map of Bonbon, Haiti
Neighborhoods[]
| BON | Bonbon | 8,610 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VBO | Ville de Bonbon | Urban | 1,726 | ||
| DEM | 1ére Section Desormeau (or Bonbon) | Rural Section | 6,884 | Brière, Carrefour Antier, Clisan, Désormeau, Gervais, Lacabri, Lindor, Petite-Plaine, Tourneau |
Neighboring sections
| 〰️North〰️ Windward Passage |
Upper East  9e Fond Rouge Torbeck, JER | |
|---|---|---|
| West 1re Anse-du-Clerc, ABR |
Bonbon |
East 8e Fond Rouge-Dahère, JER |
| South 1re Anotte, MOR |
Southeast 1re Marfranc, MFR |
Demography[]
The inhabitants of the town call themselves Bonbonnais/se. In 2015, there were approximately 111 men for every 100 women.
| Year | Population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 8,879 | |
| 2003 | 6,754 | -23% |
| 2005 | 6,834 | +1% |
| 2009 | 7,830 | +15% |
| 2015 | 8,610 | +10% |
The population is distributed as follows:
• 40% aged less than 15
• 51% of 15 to 64
• 8% over 65
Environment[]
The exotic beaches of Bonbon, combined with its quaint 'small-town' atmosphere, offer a unique recreational experience. Couples in search of seclusion can rent tents pitched along the shore.
These majestic beaches possess an allure, attracting people from diverse backrounds to enjoy their splendor. Furthermore, the village of Bonbon hosts an annual event known as Fête Patronale, enhancing the lively ambiance of this lesser-known destination in Haiti.
However, it is important to note that the Bonbon River can be quite unpredictable, leading to considerable damage during the rainy season. This river flows into the sea through three distinct channels, which must be traversed to access Abricots.
Climate[]
Bonbon, Haiti Climograph
Bonbon experiences a tropical savannah climate, with more rainfall in summers than in winters. According to Köppen and Geiger, this climate is classified as Aw. In Bonbon, the average yearly temperature is 26.3 °C (79.3 °F).
February is the driest month, with only 36 mm (1.4 inch) of rainfall. It experiences an average of 8.43 rainy days. On the other hand, October is the wettest month, with an average of 126 mm (5.0 inch) of precipitation. It witnesses approximately 18.43 rainy days.
August is the hottest month, with an average temperature of 27.8 °C (82.0 °F), while February is the coldest, with an average low temperature of 24.7 °C (76.4 °F).
October has the highest relative humidity at 81.86, while December has the lowest at 78.26.
Boats in the harbor at Bonbon
Economy[]
In terms of economic infrastructure, the situation in the commune of Bonbon is not the sweetest. The majority of the area is residential, lacking significant industrial or service businesses. In fact, there are only four food supply centers in the entire commune. The residents heavily rely on economic activities such as trade, fishing, and agriculture for their livelihoods.
Agricultural production in the municipality mainly consists of bananas, plantains, corn, yams, masoko, beans, sugar cane, and sweet cassava.
Infrastructure[]
Transportation
Airport
Jérémie Municipal Airport is the main airport serving Bonbon and the wider Jérémie Metropolitan Area for air travel. Antoine-Simon Les Cayes Regional Airport has also experienced an increase in demand.
Road
The primary street network in Bonbon consists of a T-shaped layout, with a predominant east-west and north-south orientation. Serving as the main east-west thoroughfare, Route de Bonbon (signed as Communal Road 700-B) acts as the backbone of the town. It stretches from Abricots in the west to Jérémie in the east, connecting further to Route Nationale 7. Additionally, there are various north-south routes, including the one leading to Desormeaux.
Destinations Close To Bonbon
Ville de Bonbon is in close proximity to Buron, Lacabri, Babino, Colage, Briere, Flefe, Hilaire, Hatte Chapeau, and Chassagne. Multiple routes connect Ville de Bonbon to these neighboring areas, providing travelers with various options. Convenient bus services are also readily accessible for those looking to explore nearby destinations.
Education
Bonbon National School
In the field of education, the Ministry of National Education of Youth and Sports is present in the commune through a school inspection office. The commune has a preschool, 13 primary schools, and a secondary school. Private institutions are the most prevalent with a total of nine. While there is no university or high school, a technical and professional institution is located in the town. Additionally, a learning center has been set up for the community by Sant Demen, a non-profit organization.
Health
Sign outside the Bonbon National School ("Always sneeze into your elbows.")
The Ministry of Public Health and Population has no representatives in the municipality. There is just one dispensary in the area. The health services are managed by two registered nurses, one auxiliary, and two health workers.
Utilities
The town is not happy with its technical infrastructures. Although it boasts a river and three springs, it is missing a power supply.
Culture[]
Religion[]
Eleven places of worship, including temples and chapels, were counted in the commune in terms of religion. The Catholic and Baptist churches are the most abundant among them.
Communication[]
There is limited cellular network coverage available.
The postal service operates on a weekly basis. Mail arrives from Jérémie on Tuesdays and continues for Abricots and Dame-Marie. The return journey takes place on the following Monday.
There are no radio or television stations present.
Leisure[]
Bonbon Beach
The town lacks traditional leisure activities, such as libraries, museums, theaters, and cinemas. However, people can enjoy playing football (soccer) and basketball at two teaching centers in the town.
Points of Interest[]
Negresse Libre, a renowned rampart located in Bonbon, which withstood the assault on this village by Catinat Sansaricq in 1868 for an extended period.
Organizations[]
- Sant Demen operates a learning center in Bonbon.
- Bonbon Beekeeping Association collaborates with other beekeeping groups in Grand'Anse to improve honey production and marketing.
References[]
Honey from the commune of Bonbon is talked about in Haiti [1]
Haiti : Route JÉRÉMIE-BONBON [2]
Bonbon Climate Data [3]
Bonbon - Gilles Eumi [4]
Michael Vedrine