Je a se lanp kò a. Si je ou an bon eta, tout kò ou ap nan limyè; Sa ki nan kè, se li ki nan je." - Pwovèb Ayisyen
"The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light; what’s in the heart, shows in the eyes." - Matthew the Apostle

Borgne (Kreyol: Oboy) is a commune in the Borgne Arrondissement, part of the Northern Department of Haiti. The population was 67,000 at the 2015 census. Borgne includes the villages of Ville de Borgne (the Town Center), and Petit Bourg de Borgne. Both villages are precincts with their own voting district, various town offices, and business center.

Borgne, ND, Haiti

Bg15 — Location in Haiti. The big red square

Etymolygy[]

The name Borgne is thought to derive from the French word "borgne," which means "one-eyed" or "partially blind." This term may metaphorically refer to a geographical feature, such as a valley, hill, or coastline that appears "one-eyed" or partially hidden—specifically, a restricted opening in the landscape, similar to a cove or river mouth. In fact, there are two mountains that rise on either side of the river's mouth, allowing only a limited view through a narrow gap.

Furthermore, there is a river called Rivière du Borgne located near the town, which may have influenced the naming of the commune. In colonial maps, rivers often served as namesakes for settlements. Coastal areas sometimes received such names in French colonial terminology based on their visual impressions to sailors or settlers. Borgne was established during the French colonial period of Saint-Domingue (now known as Haiti). The French typically named places according to physical features, experiences, or even humorous or ironic implications.

About[]

Borgne is located approximately 45 kilometers (28 miles) from Cap-Haïtien, the capital and center of the North Department. Its position along the northern coastline of Haiti allows for convenient access to the Atlantic Ocean. The town is recognized for its unpretentious charm, stunning beaches, and abundant flora and fauna. Previously known as Embarcadere, Borgne features historic residences, picturesque landscapes, and ancient caves that are found along rugged mountain paths. Additionally, it boasts a rich Catholic heritage, which is perpetuated by the numerous holidays that are observed. Each section of town also hosts an annual celebration in honor of patron saints, which the public is welcome to join. Therefore, visitors to Borgne can partake in the festivities alongside local residents.

Section	Holiday	Fête
1.MAG	Jun 24	St John the Baptist
2.BOM	Sep 29	St Michael the Archangel
3.PBB	Apr 12	St Jules
4.TEF	Dec 12 Jun 15	Notre Dame de Guadeloupe Fête Sacre Coeur Grosse Roche
5.CPG	Feb 2	Marie Lachandelaire
6.MLA	Jul 13	Ste. Marie de l'enfant Jesus
7.CFL	Oct 13 Dec 8	Ste. Therese Immaculate conception

Borgne 53025 — The town center features a prominent statue known as Le Marron Inconnu (The Unknown Maroon). This bronze sculpture, created by Haitian artist Albert Mangonès, stands as a powerful symbol of Haiti's struggle for freedom and the abolition of slavery. It depicts a maroon—an escaped enslaved person rallying others to rebellion. The statue's broken shackles signify the fight for liberty. A similar version of this statue is located in Port-au-Prince, Haiti's capital.

In Borgne, this statue is situated in Place du Borgne, a central park near key landmarks such as the H.O.P.E. hospital and the Paroisse Saint-Charles church. The statue serves as a reminder of the community's historical roots and the enduring spirit of resistance.

History[]

In the early 1700s, Le Borgne was a relatively unremarkable settlement, consisting of merely twenty homes inhabited by fishermen who primarily caught turtles and hawks. Although a curé was present in 1753, the town did not officially gain parish status until 1754, marking its formal establishment on September 8 of that year. By approximately 1774, the churchwardens were granted permission to arrange for the transportation of materials needed for church construction on land that Mr. Bolet had generously donated to the parish. This initiative eventually led to the formation of a second borough, which is now known as Petit-Bourg, in 1777. However, the church in Petit-Bourg was lost when the nation gained independence, and it wasn't until 1875 that Father Berlin constructed a chapel in the area.

Le Borgne remained under the jurisdiction of Port-de-Paix until 1768, when a military ordinance reallocated it to the Limbé district. Subsequently, a royal declaration issued on June 21, 1774, transferred its governance to The Cape, which continues to provide all public services for Le Borgne, with the exception of military affairs.

Geography[]

Borgne is closely tied to neighboring Port-Margot, sharing several geographical features.

According to the IHSI, the commune has a total area of 202.09 square kilometers (78.03 mi²), of which 0.87 km2 (0.34 mi²) is the urban area and 201.22 km² (77.69 mi²) is the rural area, spread across seven communal sections. Borgne is drained by the Petit Bourg River and empties into the Baie Fond (Valley Bay) adjoining the Atlantic Ocean.

Borgne lies on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, and both the eastern and western portion of town are bordered by mountain peaks and several other foothills to the south. The highest point in town is found at the boundary of the Fond-Lagrange and Margot sections, reaching at least 720 meters (2360 feet), according to the most recent (2011-2012) USGS topographical map. Several regions within the town consist of plains, including the river valleys of the Petit-Bourg and Marro Rivers, as well as a forested area located in the central section of the commune, which is part of the commune's third section.

Borgne is bordered by Port-Margot to the east, Pilate to the south, Gros-Morne to the southwest, and Saint-Louis du Nord and Anse-à-Foleur to the northwest. It is located 53 kilometers (33 miles) west of Cap-Haïtien and 243 kilometers (151 miles) north of Port-au-Prince.

Neighborhoods

BOR	Borgne		66,921	Localities
VBG	Ville du Borgne	Urban	8,028
QBB	Quartier du Petit Bourg de Borgne	Urban	3,669
MAG	1ère Section Margot	Rural	11,962	Bado, Fond Ligras, Fond Moré, Habitation Georges, Jalousie, Margot, Martiniquet, Nan Dalle, Passe Zorange Sure, Précipice, Robin.
BOM	2ème Section Boucan Michel	Rural	12,820	Bernard, Calbachin, Diminy, Jolie, Maison Neuve, Moro, Nan Hatte, Pacot, Robillard.
PBB	3ème Section Petit Bourg De Borgne	Rural Section	9,829	Boucan Michel, Champanne, Fréto, Kabeille, La Rate, Petit Bourg du Borgne, Petite Riviere.
TEF	4ème Section Trou D'enfer	Rural	4,089	Trou d'Enfer
CPG	5ème Section Champagne	Rural	1,582	Chabotte, Chicanno, Lacoste.
MLA	6ème Section Molas	Rural	6,552	Bas sainte Anne, Chamoise, Cher Maitre, Combi, Ménage, Mola, Nan Joupa.
CFL	7ème Section Côtes-De-Fer et Fond-Lagrange	Rural section	6,552	Barque Borgne, Barre Boeuf, Bricoque, Cacao, Ca Toute, Dereranc, Dupras, Grand Bois, Gros Sable, La Savatte, Macanda, Montegu, Nan Bélizaire, Nan Carrefour, Nan Dumas, Nan Jardin, Nan l'Etat, Nan Marot, Nan Pavillon, Robin, Zoizeau Laine.

Demography[]

Charity-dinner-decor-event-Borgne-Haiti — Charity dinner, Borgne, Haiti

The inhabitants of this municipality call themselves 'Borgnelais/e' .

Year	Population	Change
1950	32,662
1971	48,053	+47%
1982	45,247	-6%
1998	60,323	+33%
2009	60,869	+0%
2015	66,921	+10%

👥 2015 Population Demographics[]

**Households**: 12,278

Ville du Borgne	8,028
Petit Bourg de Borgne	3,669
Rural Population	55,224
Borgne Municipality	66,921

Economy[]

The local economy is primarily based on agriculture and fishing. Residents cultivate crops such as bananas, cocoa, coffee, and oranges. However, the region has been affected by the bacterial disease citrus huanglongbing, which has devastated orange groves, leading farmers to shift to other crops like bananas and yams.

Many households engage in subsistence farming, with limited access to markets and resources. The community's reliance on agriculture makes it vulnerable to climate change and economic instability.

⚓ Fishing Industry[]

Borgne's coastal location supports a modest fishing industry. Fishermen use traditional methods to catch various marine species, contributing to local diets and income. However, the sector faces challenges such as overfishing and limited infrastructure, which hinder its growth and sustainability.

Infrastructure[]

Borgne, also referred to as Au Borgne, is home to about 60,000 people. The town features a library, a theatre, and a modest hospital funded by the Haitian government. However, the basic infrastructure in Borgne remains underdeveloped. The commune struggles with inconsistent electricity, a lack of running water, and limited telephone services. Transportation can be difficult, with many roads impassable during the rainy season. Fortunately, recent upgrades to the road connecting Cap-Haïtien and Borgne have alleviated some of these transportation issues.

Transportation

Borgne's main road east of the Petit Bourg River is Route Departmentale 104, which runs east from Borgne through Bayeux, then turns south through Port-Margot. As the major east–west route in the region, there is no national highway which runs through Borgne; however, Route Nationale 5 passes through neighboring Port-de-Paix and connects via Route Departmentale 51. Route 51 serves as the town's main road west of the center, linking Borgne to Petit Bourg. But the route is hard to access, due to steep inclines and bad roads. During periods of heavy rainfall, many of Borgne's underdeveloped roads become impassable. Route 104 continues through Port-Margot and connects to Route Nationale 1 in the city of Limbé, 30 km (18 miles) southeast of Borgne.

Education

The education system in Borgne includes 9 kindergartens (6 private, 3 religious), 57 primary schools (7 public, 4 religious, and 46 private) 7 secondary schools (1 public, 5 private, and 1 religious), and a vocational training professional school. There are no universities or higher education institutions, as well as no formal adult literacy centers. Education is supported in part by Friends of Borgne.

Health

Healthcare services are limited but supported by organizations like Points of Light and Haiti Outreach Pwoje Espwa (HOPE), which operates the Health Alliance of Borgne Hospital. This facility provides essential medical care to a population of approximately 80,000 residents, including services such as maternity care, dental clinics, and mobile health outreach.

Utilities

In terms of utilities, only the town center has electricity while the rest of the commune is without it, relying only on generators and solar panels for power.

The water resources include nine rivers, seven springs, forty-two wells, and nine public fountains.

In the realm of Telecommunications, there is no telephone service available. Additionally, there is no presence of radio, television, or print media.

Administration[]

The commune of Borgne includes a police station and a peace court.

Eglise Saint Charles Borromée - Borgne 53025e — Saint Charles Borromée Church, Borgne, Haiti

Culture and Heritage[]

Leisure[]

The commune features a library, a cinema, and a church hall that functions as a theater. When it comes to sports, both football and basketball are highly favored. Additionally, there are two historical sites recognized as monuments.

Organizations[]

Community leadership in Borgne consists of trained community leaders, known as animateurs, who offer guidance and assistance in local habitations. In the commune, there are three Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) that concentrate on health, education, and economic development.

H.O.P.E. (Haiti Outreach – Pwoje Espwa) is a prominent NGO working exclusively in the commune of Borgne. Established in the 1990s, H.O.P.E. collaborates with local leaders to implement community-driven programs in health, education, and economic development. Their initiatives include:
- ASB (Alyans Santé Borgne - A hospital providing affordable health and dental care, including mobile clinics to reach remote areas)
- Sante Nan Lakou: A public health model focusing on community-based care, and
- S.E.E.-Fanm Program: A women's health initiative addressing maternal and reproductive health needs.

H.O.P.E. partners with organizations like the Haitian Ministry of Health, USAID, and the Red Cross to support its programs.

Friends of Borgne focuses on educational and community development. Their initiatives consist of: Sponsorships: Offering tuition, books, uniforms, and school supplies to children from at-risk families, Food Program: Making sure students have access to nutritious meals to enhance their learning, Teacher Subsidies: Assisting with teacher salaries to elevate the quality of education, Traveling Library: Bringing books to isolated villages to foster literacy, Vocational Training: Providing courses in music, sewing, and computer skills, and Animal Husbandry: Instructing young people in sustainable farming techniques. These programs are designed to empower the community through education and skill enhancement.
Cotes De Fer Borgne Laine Nonprofit Corp is dedicated to developing infrastructure within the Laine, Cotes De Fer, Borgne community. Their initiatives encompass: Health Centers: Building and renovating clinics to enhance access to healthcare, Education: Constructing and repairing schools to improve educational settings, and Spiritual Enrichment: Renovating churches that act as centers for community engagement. Their goal is to empower communities by enhancing health, education, and spiritual well-being.
Save the Children operates in different regions of Haiti, including Borgne and Petit Bourg de Borgne. Their programs focus on child protection, education, and emergency response. They are part of a global initiative to ensure the rights and well-being of children.
👩‍👩‍👧 Association of Women of Borgne (AFB). Supported by UN Women, AFB is a women's group in Borgne that helps survivors of gender-based violence. The organization offers medical services and legal assistance, empowering women and girls to reclaim their rights and dignity.
🎶 Dauphin Foundation is a local community group in Borgne that emphasizes youth development through music and cultural activities. Their programs aim to involve young people in positive endeavors, promoting community spirit and preserving cultural heritage.
⛪ Trou d'Enfer Church of the Nazarene. Ironically rendered as "The Hellhole Church" in direct english translation, the Trou d'Enfer Church of the Nazarene acts as a spiritual hub for the community. In addition to religious services, the church participates in various outreach initiatives, offering support and resources to local residents.

The grassroots organizations play a crucial role in addressing the unique needs of the Borgne community, complementing the efforts of larger NGOs and contributing to sustainable development at the local level.

Tourism[]

Bg8 — La Perle Hotel, Bar et Restaurant - La Ville Du Borgne

Borgne is a coastal town that beautifully combines natural splendor, rich cultural heritage, and a focus on community-driven growth. Although it is still somewhat lacking in tourism infrastructure, Borgne is starting to gain recognition as a prime destination for eco-tourism, cultural discovery, and travel that emphasizes volunteerism.

🌴 Natural Attractions[]

Borgne Beach

This beach boasts a pristine, untouched shoreline with soft white sands and tranquil, turquoise waters. It is perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and savoring breathtaking sunsets. Additionally, the beach serves as a central point for local fishing communities, providing insight into traditional ways of life.

Gazin Cavern

The Gazin habitation, situated in the Borgne commune, is located at Grande-Colline on the slopes of Côtes-de-Fer. This site is remarkable for its cave system, which is divided into seven distinct caves. As a historical landmark within the commune, it showcases a cavern that was once a refuge for indigenous peoples during the era of Spanish colonization. A wealth of artifacts, such as human bones and pottery, have been discovered here, highlighting its significance as an important archaeological and cultural site.

Sister Cities[]

Borgne, Haiti, has developed a sister city relationship with Honeoye Falls, New York, United States . This partnership aims to foster cultural exchange and mutual support between the two communities. The collaboration has already led to initiatives such as the formation of a marching band in Borgne, supported by donations from Honeoye Falls residents and organizations. The band has performed at local events and participated in competitions, showcasing the positive impact of this international partnership.

While the formal sister city agreement is still in development, the existing projects and interactions between Borgne and Honeoye Falls, New York demonstrate a strong foundation for future cooperation and community engagement.