"Amen is not the end of a prayer, but the beginning of a promise."
Amèn se pa fen yon priyè, men kòmansman yon pwomès."
-American Proverb
Jean-Rabel (Kreyòl: Jan Rabèl) is a commune located on the shore of the Windward Passage in Northwestern Haiti. With a population of 150,000 residents, Jean-Rabel is the most populated commune in the Môle Saint-Nicolas Arrondissement and the 15th most populous municipality in Haiti. The metropolitan area has a population of just over 250,000 people.
Website-Facebook pages
Mairie Jean-Rabel Officiel
Jean-Rabel on top
Jean-Rabel En Valeur
About[]
Founded in 1734, Jean-Rabel was first a parish before being granted municipal status on October 17, 1821.
Part of the Northwest Department, Jean-Rabel is an isolated township located near the top of Haiti’s northern peninsula. Serving as a transportation hub and distribution center in the western region of the department, it possesses a port of entry and approximately 40 kilometers (25 mi.) of waterfront. Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, Port-de-Paix, the Artibonite Department, and Môle Saint-Nicolas, Jean-Rabel has always been a place full of potential, yet it remains largely undeveloped and undervalued. The township is located in a mountainous region which is very arid in comparison with the rest of the country. The challenging road access to Jean-Rabel, and its relative abandonment by the state authorities, has led to the commune and surrounding region to being nicknamed "The Far West".
The township is home to approximately 150,000 residents who reside in various locations scattered across the hills. Their livelihoods primarily revolve around livestock rearing and agriculture. The landscape of Jean-Rabel alternates between arid valleys and deforested hills, with some pockets of greenery. It is widely acknowledged that Haiti's Northwest exudes an atmosphere untouched by the passage of time. Living in Jean-Rabel and the nearby rural areas is probably not that different from life a hundred years ago.
Environment[]
The place is a hidden gem for tourists, as it has not been explored much by foreigners due to the lack of direct flights. Despite the low levels of development, some consider this to be an advantage. The region remains untouched by industrialization, preserving the abundant Haitian fauna and flora. The residents have become highly self-sufficient due to the relative isolation.
History[]
The history of the commune of Jean-Rabel is controversial, both in terms of its name and the date it was founded. When Christopher Columbus landed in the bay of Port à l'Ecu on December 8, 1492, he was greeted by the local population, whom he mistakenly believed to be Indians. In reality, they were Taïnos, belonging to the kingdom of Marien, led by Guacanagaríx (Gwa-KANA-Gah-Ree). Their primary economic activity centered around agriculture and hunting, including fruit picking and hunting wild pigs. Unfortunately, the arrival of the Spaniards on the island led to devastating consequences for the Taïnos, as they were subjected to forced labor and exposed to new diseases. In 1629, the French came to settle on Turtle Island, a strategic location for intercepting boats that sailed through the Windward Passage, in order to plunder them. In the early 17th century (1600's), there were violent clashes between the French and Spanish, particularly near Turtle Island. It was during this time that Jean-Rabel was first mentioned, the name of an adventurer who claimed ownership of the area. Previously, the place was known as Morne Massacre.
According to author Michel Christian Camus, Jean-Rabel is derived from "Juan Rabelo", a Portuguese colonist who owned a plantation on the north coast of Santo Domingo, on which eighteen French prisoners were employed. As a result, the commune of Jean-Rabel was named after the first settler, Juan Rabelo, who arrived there around 1583. His name has been preserved in the toponymy of the region in the French form of Jean-Rabel. So far, research has not allowed the precise tracing of this name's origin. However, it is evident that many of the town's habitations are named after their owners, who were either French settlers or freedmen, such as Foache, Collette, Sauval, Coicou, and others. Towards the year's end in 1742, the inhabitants of Jean-Rabel, hitherto small buccaneer hunters, launched the idea of building a town intended to store their productions leaving for the French Cape, but also to welcome them during divine services (Moreau de St Mery). Consequently, the authorities of that time were approached to support the economic development of this new district, which was constructed to enhance the financial control of the colonial administration. On July 10, 1743, an ordinance was issued relating to the foundation of the parish of Jean-Rabel.
The town's location underwent several changes over time. Initially, construction began on the grounds of a former hunter's boucan, which was later acquired by the Catholic Church in the mid-1730s. After a new church was built in 1770, the residents suggested moving the village to the seaside, specifically on fifteen plots of land on the river's left bank. However, due to the area's dryness, heat, poor water quality, and distance from the market, they eventually reconsidered their decisions. In the end, the town was placed within its current boundaries. Jean-Rabel was established as a parish in 1634 and later became a canton through a law enacted by the council of five hundred on March 1, 1797. It was officially designated as a commune on October 17, 1821 during President Jean Pierre Boyer's administration, making it the 52nd municipality of the republic.
Historical timeline[]
18th Century[]
• In April 1797, a pair of naval confrontations took place in the waters of Jean-Rabel. On the 15th, two vessels belonging to the British Royal Navy defeated a French Navy frigate near Jean-Rabel in the initial clash. Four days later, a squadron of British frigates attacked Jean-Rabel itself, seizing multiple merchant ships previously captured by French privateers. These occurrences, transpiring amidst the French Revolutionary Wars, came to be recognized as the Battle of Jean-Rabel.
• At the end of 1793, Jean Delaire, a man of color, delivered the village of Jean-Rabel to the Spaniards; however the English arrived with superior forces, prompting the Spaniards to yield their position to them.
• On July 24, 1799, at the beginning of civil war, while Toussaint Louverture's army was engaged in battle Riguad at Grand-Goâve, at the beginning of the civil war, Etienne Colard, a lieutenant colonel from Jean-Rabel and part of the 9th Colonial garrison stationed at Port-de-Paix, along with L. Bellegarde, rallied the farmers of Jean-Rabel to support Riguad's cause. They proceeded to lay siege to the Môle. Despite the relentless efforts of the insurgents, Maurepas managed to resist their advances. Moïse successfully expelled them from Port-de-Paix and lifted the siege. Golart retreated to Jean-Rabel, but was pursued by Moïse who successfully captured the town. Colard, on the other hand, sought refuge in the rugged and inaccessible mountains, where he remained until 1802. It was only when Leclerc's expedition arrived that Colard finally left his hiding place, after having supported Toussaint Louverture's troops for three years.
19th Century[]
• In February 1802, at the arrival of the Leclerc expedition, the inhabitants of Jean-Rabel sent a petition to Port-de-Paix, offering their submission to the French. General Humbert received the petition, and embarked on the frigate la Furieuse ("The Furious") with 100 marine artillery men for Jean-Rabel.
Two leagues from Jean-Rabel, there stood a fort of turf on the seashore, which was occupied by Lieutenant Alain. When la Furieuse approached for fortification, the the villagers, aware of Alain's sentiments as he had never surrendered the redoubt, sent him to replace Captain Louis Etienne Golart, who was a relentless adversary of Toussaint Louverture and Maurepas. Golart proceeded to Fort du Rivage, only to find it already occupied by a hundred men from the marine artillery. These men were then taken to Jean-Rabel.
Lubin Golart, Stephen's brother, marched aggressively towards Maurepas in Port-de-Paix, declaring his desire to personally arrest him and derive satisfaction from flaying him alive. However, Maurepas, informed of this plan by Alain, who had sought refuge with him, and realizing that he was surrounded from all sides, submitted himself to General Debelle in Port-de-Paix.
Lubin Golart, who had arrived on the Lacorne-Gedou, discovered that his enemy had surrendered. This realization sparked a fierce anger within him, lamenting the loss of the advantage his provided by his swift foot.
• In May 1807, Jean-Rabel responded to the insurrection led by Colonel Jean-Louis Rebecca in Port-de-Paix, who opposed Christophe in support of the Republic of Pétion .
• Pursued by Christophe's fleet, Derenoncourt blew up Pétion's warship, the Constitution on February 2, 1808, in the Bay of Jean-Rabel.
• On the 8th of July the same year, Christophe's fleet cannoned Jean-Rabel, but was repelled.
• The law of November 20, 1821, set the precise distance from this commune to the capital at 59 leagues.
• In May 1865, Jean-Rabel, having embraced the insurrection of Salnave, surrendered to President Geffrard's government. General Guillet assumed a position.
• On October 2, 1888, the Mancel, General Légitime's Government Service vessel, pursued a canoe in front of Jean-Rabel and captured it. In response, the fort of Jean-Rabel fired a shot at the Mancel, provoking a swift response from the Toussaint Louverture (government warship).
• In 1892, the state provided G500 for the restoration of the Church.
Geography[]
Rivière de Jean-Rabel Jean-Rabel is located at 19.8536° N, 73.1925° W. According to the IHSI, the commune has a total area of 488.13 square kilometers (188.47 square miles), making it Haiti's ninth largest commune by land area.
It is bordered on the north by the Atlantic Ocean, on the east by the municipality of Port-de-Paix, on the southeast by the Artibonite Department town of Anse-Rouge, on the southwest by the municipality of Baie-de-Henne, and on the west by the municipality of Môle Saint-Nicolas.
The township is located about 32 km (20 mi.) from Môle Saint-Nicolas, 40km (25 mi.) from Port-de-Paix, and 250 km (155 mi.) from the capital Port-au-Prince. It is situated in the Saint-Nicolas Mountain Range, which culminates at Pic Morvan (Morvan Peak) at 800 meters (2,400 feet) of altitude and Mont Château (Mount Castle) at 840 meters (2,520 feet). Additionally, it is also positioned on the Jean-Rabel Mountain Range, which reaches 850 meters (2,550 feet) of altitude.
The commune of Jean-Rabel spans 7 communal sections: Lacoma, Guinaudée, Vielle Hatte, La Montagne, Dessources, Grande Source, and Diondion. Five of these sections are mountainous, with crisp air and cool temperatures. The remaining two sections, however, offer a different landscape, with a valley and a plain with tropical temperatures. The town's commercial and administrative center, Ville de Jean-Rabel, is located in the middle of a fertile valley, on the left bank of the river that sometimes overflows and flows into the Cove of Jean-Rabel. Within the center, you'll find the decentralized services of the State, the municipal administration, the hospital, and prestigious educational institutions like colleges and religious congregation schools. Not to mention, the most significant religious buildings in the commune also call this area their home. It's no wonder that the town center is where the highest population concentration of the municipality can be found.
The seven communal sections are further divided into habitations, which are then subdivided into localities. The number of habitations and localities varies across the sections, totaling over 595 localities.
Neighborhoods[]
JNR | Jean-Rabel | 148,416 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VJB | Ville de Jean-Rabel | Urban | 11,298 | |||
QBD | Quartier de Bord de Mer | Urban | 1,966 | |||
LMA | 1ère Section Lacoma | Rural | 25,265 | Astraile, Barbe-Pangnol (Barbes Espagnol), Boucan-Filsaimé, Cabaret, Ca Bonette, Ca Fourré, Ca l'Etang, Cheslin, Davilmar, Fond-Lecturne, Lacoma, La Guinaudée, La Passe, La Rivière, La Rivière Cola, Lotest, Malabe, Nan Content, Nan Quai, Pelier, Pijotte, Port-à-l'Ecu, Sauval, Savane-Poufli, Savoyard, Tête-Source, Ti Savane, Vindio | ||
GUI | 2ème Section Guinaudée | Rural | 23,423 | Boucan-Patrio, Boue-Flette, Digoterie, Gros Bassin, La Croix, La Plaine, Loubier, Mignone, Nan Bantier, Nan Ferme, Nan Guillette, Nan Paul, Nan Picho, Nan Raquette, Nan Tinte, Pividi, Pointe-Jean-Rabel, Sauvale, Station-Bambou, Thomas, Trou Jules, Zèbre-à-Flèche | ||
VIH | 3ème Section Vielle Hatte | Rural section | 23,701 | Abricot, Bord-de-Mer-de-Jean-Rabel, Colette, Fond Cirouelle, Fond Toussaint, Fond Zombi, Grande-Falaise, Guinaudée, Habitation Morne Bourrique, Jean-Louis, La Lande, La Reserve, Nan André, Nan Fillette, Nan Foach, Nan Foubie, Nan Massacre, Nan Solon, Pointe-Saline, Source-Aniesse, Source-Blanche, Trasaël, Valoir, Vielle Hatte, Vieux Caille, Vieux-Place | ||
LMT | 4ème Section La Montagne | Rural | 12,240 | Bassin-Bleu, Campfile, Goyavier, La Montagne, Massacre, Nan Godette, Platon-Chateau, Repos | ||
DSC | 5ème Section Desources | Rural section | 13,272 | Cadet, Dessources, Grande-Source, Menard, Nan Sable, Rossina | ||
GSO | 6ème Section Grand Source | Rural | 24,628 | Bazin, Ca Deme, En Bas, Fond Sable, Godé, Gommier, Grand Rac, La Ti Place, Nan Saut, Poirier, Sous Blanc | ||
DDI | 7ème Section Diondion | Rural | 12,983 | Arcadien, Calbassier, Corossol, Diondion, Fond-Amadou, Fond-Mapou, Gaïac-Penché, Marie-Noël, Nan Coicou, Nan Digo, Nan Guildive, Papaille, Rodolphe, Troullac |
Demographics[]
The inhabitants of this town are called Jean-Rabélien.
Year | Population | Change +/- |
---|---|---|
1728 | 179 | |
1771 | 3,011 | 1,582% |
1780 | 12,000 | +299% |
1890 | 10,000 | -17% |
1919 | 14,802 | +48% |
1950 | 33,372 | +125% |
1971 | 46,378 | +39% |
1982 | 67,925 | +46% |
1998 | 112,429 | +66% |
2005 | 113,267 | +1% |
2015 | 148,416 | +30% |
Spatial distribution of the population[]
Jean-Rabel is the Northwest Department's second most densely populated commune, following Port-de-Paix. The population is spread out in a scattered manner across the commune. However, there is a noticeable concentration of people along roads, near markets, and around water sources. The Cadastre area in the northern part of the commune is the least populated due to drought and water scarcity.
Topography[]
The physical environment
The terrain of Jean-Rabel is diverse, encompassing plateaus, hills, and low mountain ranges with elevations ranging from 300m to 900m (1000 ft to 3000 ft) above sea level. The coastal area in the northern part of the town features a small massif known as Morne Bourrique, reaching approximately 324 meters in height. The highest massifs are situated in the southern part, including Morne Dublain (500m/1,640ft), Morne Movent (711m/2,333ft) in Guinaudée, Morne Château (885m/2900ft) on the border of the 3rd and 4th sections, and Morne Déré (907m/2,975ft) separating Jean-Rabel from the town of Baie-de-Henne. These hills are intersected by deep valleys running from north to south.
Climate and rainfall
Based on its relief, the commune of Jean-Rabel exhibits two distinct climate patterns:
1. A high-altitude climate with an annual average rainfall of 1200mm (47 in.).
2. A semi-arid climate ranging from 500mm to 900mm (20 in. to 35 in.) of rain in its largest part.
The first zone is characterized by two well-defined seasons: a dry season from February to April and a rainy season with occasional dry spells throughout the rest of the year. The vegetation in this region consists mainly of a dense environment of trees. While not classified as a forest, there are numerous fruit trees providing shade for the cultivation of coffee and cocoa. This area encompasses the communal sections of La Montagne, Vielle-Hatte (La Reserve and Bassin-Bleu), the heights of Grand-Source, Dessources, and Diondion.
Hydrography and Hydrology
The municipality of Jean-Rabel has two main watersheds: the Jean Rabel River, situated to the west of Morne Tapion, and the Catinette River, found to the east of the Morne.
Economy[]
The economy of Jean-Rabel commune is based on agriculture, commerce, entrepreneurship, and the extraction of mines and quarries. The economic landscape of Jean-Rabel is similar to that of other municipalities in the lower northwest region. The majority of the population derives their income from trading imported goods, as well as from agriculture, specifically livestock and fisheries. However, the production of charcoal has seen a significant increase, with the number of operators doubling and the amount of trucks transporting coal to the town on the rise. On the economic front, numerous small businesses such as shops, hair salons, welding workshops, and garages catering to cars and trucks are predominantly situated downtown. Despite the lack of certain services, the expansion of agricultural processing facilities is noticeable. Presently, Jean-Rabel has at least 5 bakeries, two agricultural processing plants, 4 cassava processing facilities, and 8 grain mills.
Agriculture[]
Farming in Jean-Rabel can be quite challenging due to the lack of machinery and irrigation. The farmers heavily rely on rainwater to cultivate a variety of crops such as olives, plantains, manyok (yucca), mangos, yams, beans, corn, and sweet potatoes. Additionally, the commune is known for producing coffee, campeche, cotton, exquisite timber and cabinetry, salt, wax, scales, honey, pistachios, hides and skins, delicious oranges, and cattle. In the past, the municipality was renowned for its superior quality indigo production. The natural salt marshes of the Grand and Petit Port yield exceptionally white salt during the spring with regular crystallization. Exporting goods is made possible through Port-de-Paix and Gonaïves, as Jean-Rabel's port is not open to foreign trade.
Furthermore, the commune has quantities of resources, including rock crystal, copper, magnet mines, antimony, gemstone, ashlar, sponges, cactus, opuntia, ebony, gaiac, and bees. Moreover, the River Colas on the Sel habitation has been discovered to contain ferruginous and salty mineral waters, characterized by the bitter taste, indicating the presence of rock salt.
Commerce[]
In Jean Rabel, similar to various remote areas in the region, commercial transactions occur through markets, boutiques, and shops. The majority of these establishments (specifically the shops) are situated in the city center, where approximately one-tenth of the population resides. The commercial activity is spread across fifteen markets within the municipality, with the three largest being the Lacoma market, the Dubourg market, and the Reserve market in terms of trade volume and capacity. Stalls at these markets are occupied mainly by women. An essential part of trade concerns imported products. The sale of animals occupies the second place and that of agricultural products the last. However, there is an important particularity to emphasize in these markets. However, there is a noteworthy aspect to highlight in these markets. The town market, located in the commercial hub of the town, is considered the primary market., offering a wider range of products for exchange. Nevertheless, merchants from surrounding areas also frequent this market. The sale of livestock is less common here.
The Lacoma market, known as the Constantin market, located in the second section, is the busiest in terms of flow. Additionally, merchants from the town transport their goods in trucks to sell them at this market. People from neighboring towns such as Port-de-Paix, Chansolme, and Saint-Louis du Nord visit this market for buying and selling purposes. It is worth mentioning that this market, named after its owner and built on privately-owned land, often becomes a source of conflict with local authorities who face challenges in collecting taxes. The tax collection for this market is managed by private individuals, and neither the DGI nor the coordinator has control over it.
The La Réserve market, constructed in three modules with funding from the Ministry of the Interior, primarily focuses on the sale of agricultural products. The remaining twelve secondary markets, located in the 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 7th sections, serve as consumer markets, providing both local and imported products for consumption.
Employment
The state of formal employment generally progresses in parallel with that of the nation. However, a significant increase has been documented, particularly in the field of education, where 198 professors were appointed to address existing gaps within the system. These appointments were made across all levels. Additionally, various positions have been established within institutions such as ADEMA, FAES, AAA, PRODEP, AYITI GOUVENANS, IFOS, and CRS. Lastly, the mayor has generated several hundred short-term jobs through the implementation of major projects, including the drainage of the city center and the construction of Vincent Village.
Mining[]
Researchers have indicated that mining has a long history in Jean-Rabel. The extraction of sand and rock from quarries is currently on the rise, mainly due to the rapid urbanization of the area. The local population relies on sands and rocks from the Jean-Rabel and Prunier rivers, which are carried by floodwaters. The sand from the Prunier River is considered to be of good quality by industry professionals. Additionally, rock mining activities in Beldorin are thriving, with the extracted material being sold at a premium compared to river rocks. Builders prefer this rock due to its durability and fine texture, using it in various construction projects and for decorative purposes. Quarrying provides livelihoods for different groups of people, including owners, extractors, assemblers, shovelers, and transporters, with truckers being the primary beneficiaries. Notably, the Newmont company is exploring the Vert-de-gris site in the 5th section for copper and gold deposits. The specific terms of the contract between the Bureau of Mines and the company are yet to be disclosed, but it is important to highlight that the municipality does not receive any royalties from the exploitation of its subsoil.
Infrastructure[]
Transportation
Ground: Jean-Rabel is located on Departmental Route 52. The urban area of Jean-Rabel lacks complete pavement. The condition of the roads in the rural parts of Jean-Rabel is primarily bare and uneven.
Air: The Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the Northwest Department, working alongside civil society organizations, is taking the lead in initiating the construction of an international airport in Port-à-L'Écu. Launched in February 2024, this development is intended to boost tourism and facilitate travel for the Haitian diaspora, with a focus on individuals from the Northwest region.
Education
The Departmental Director of the Far-West represents the Ministry of National Education of Youth and Sports in the municipality of Jean-Rabel within the field of education. Within this commune, there is a kindergarten, 182 primary schools, 24 secondary schools, a technical and vocational school, 13 literacy centers, and a college.
Health
The Ministry of Public Health and Population is represented in the commune of Jean-Rabel by a Health Department. It consists of a hospital and 22 smaller facilities, mainly dispensaries. The medical staff includes a doctor, 2 dentists, 2 nurses, several laboratory technicians, radiologists, numerous auxiliaries, and certified matrons.
The Hôpital Notre-Dame du Bourg serves as the primary healthcare facility in the municipality. However, due to material, financial, and technical constraints (such as a lack of specialists in certain medical fields), the hospital is unable to provide all the requested services by patients. The limited services that are available are not functioning optimally, leading to complaints from both patients and healthcare staff. To address this issue, a drug bank called the Farwest Drug Bank (BMF: Banque de Medicaments du Farwest) has been established with the support of partners. This drug bank ensures a supply of medicines to the various healthcare structures. Additionally, a microscope has been acquired to expand the range of available medical equipment in the area.
Traditional medicine is widely practiced throughout the municipality. The local population turns to traditional medicine for cases of disease with minimal complications or symptoms that they are familiar with. Houngans and other traditional medicine practitioners, including matrons and healthcare workers, play a significant role in supporting the local population.
Improving transportation conditions is crucial to enhance access to healthcare services. Some areas are unable to accommodate mobile clinics with doctors and nurses, highlighting the need for better transport infrastructure.
Utilities
The residents of Jean-Rabel commune have been experiencing prolonged periods of darkness, due to frequent blackouts. Currently, the local population relies on two primary sources of energy: a thermal network that serves a portion of the town center, and solar street lights installed in different areas within the communal territory. Nevertheless, despite these improvements, the deficiencies in the management and operation of the thermal plant, as well as the financial constraints, need to be addressed.
Access to drinking water
Despite the lack of comprehensive data on water management in Jean-Rabel, it is clear that the town boasts a significant number of water sources. The majority of these sources are situated in the southern part of the commune, where vegetation cover is notably dense. While some sources have been tapped into, with several dozen captured, there are over fifty others that remain untapped. These captured sources facilitate the provision of water to various fountains in the northern part of the town, such as Sauval (2nd section) and Gros-sable (7th section). Notably, the Catron spring supplies a 50,000-gallon tank that caters to the town center, Vincent Village, and the Bord-de-Mer (Seaside) area with potable water. Despite the construction or repair of numerous catchments and cisterns, certain areas still encounter significant challenges in accessing water, such as the Pechaud and Boucan-Patriot habitations in the 2nd section, Raymond (1st section), La Montagne (4th section), and Cadette River (6th section).
Administration
As of December 2021
The Court of Peace falls under the jurisdiction of the Civil Court of Port-de-Paix.
The garrison of the commune consists of a gendarmerie company, an administrative police, a Môle Saint-Nicolas artillery, and the National Guard on foot and horseback.
Culture[]
The patronal Feast of Saint John is celebrated annually on June 24th.
Religion
There are a total of twenty-six temples in the commune of Jean-Rabel, encompassing a diverse range of beliefs (excluding vodun). The Baptist temples take the lead, making up 46% of the overall count. Following closely behind are the Catholic and Adventist temples, accounting for 31% and 23% of the total, respectively.
Organizations
The commune has five political parties represented along with three grassroots organizations, two peasant groups, a women's group, three non-commercial co-operatives, an NGO, and four international organizations.
Growing Hope Globally, an organization that supports agricultural development programs, is currently working in collaboration with a local association named AGEHPMDNG. The ongoing program focuses on soil conservation and reclaiming 60 hectares of land for agroforestry activities. Families are receiving assistance in veterinary services and access to improved breeding stock. Additionally, cisterns are being provided for household water consumption.
Communication
This commune has a radio station, while the presence of written and televised press is nonexistent.
A significant portion of the Jean-Rabel population utilizes radio as a means of communication. Over time, the number of radio stations has grown, with four new stations established solely in the downtown area. These stations broadcast a variety of programs that aim to educate, promote culture, and spread evangelical messages for the benefit of the local people.
Since 2006, the accessibility to mobile networks has improved with the introduction of Digicel, followed by Natcom in 2011. Currently, at least 50% of the community's residents have access to a mobile phone, marking a notable advancement in this aspect. However, it is crucial to assess whether the market's tariffs can genuinely be considered competitive, particularly in light of the Digicel-Voilà merger.
Access to mobile networks has increased since 2006 with the arrival of Digicel, then Natcom in 2011. At least 50% of the local population has access to a mobile phone, a clear improvement at this level. However, it is important to see whether tariffs can really be considered competitive in the market, especially considering the Digicel-Voilà merger.
The mail service from Limbé to Jean-Rabel operates on Mondays, with the mail departing on the same day.
Leisure
Jean-Rabel offers a range of cultural and recreational facilities, including libraries, theaters, cinemas, nightclubs, and gagueres. The most popular sports played in the area are basketball and football (soccer).
Sectors | Specialties and practices of Jean-Rabel |
---|---|
Music | Rara, troubadour, lòkès |
Sport | Football, Basketball |
Theater | Role Theater, Satyric Theater |
Literature | Poetry, Oral Literature (tire kont) |
Cuisine | cassave, fish, alette, sweet bread, doucounou, chaka, boy manioc / peas congo, pen joumou, doub motè (pwason bouyi nan ji kokoye), guyguy, pimentade, fricasseé. |
Architecture | Kay pay |
Dance | Dance competitions |
Natural Heritage | Trou Pispis (4tryèm seksyon) |
Historic heritage | Nan miray cane mill |
Social relations | Solidarity, hospitality |
Crafts | Rolled basketry (baskets, trivets, etc.) and traditional (djakout, makout, halfort, layer, chapo), writing on stone |
Other important distractions | Dezafi, Football (soccer) |
Cultural practices in Jean-Rabel
Sport
Sport, particularly football (soccer), has established a strong presence in the lives of the residents of Jean-Rabel. Football-related activities, such as local or regional tournaments and the broadcasting of international matches, consistently draw large crowds. However, there is still room for improvement in terms of the related infrastructure. Apart from football, very few other sports generate as much interest and passion among the more than 140,000 inhabitants of this commune. Basketball is the only other sport that occasionally appears on the community's sports agenda.
From an administrative perspective, Jean-Rabel boasts a football league that has been established for many years and includes nearly ten affiliated clubs. This league regularly hosts seasonal championships and tournaments for young players. Additionally, the municipality has a sports coordinator who, with the assistance of local volunteers, organizes the annual inter-school football (soccer) championship.
Nevertheless, it is evident that the sports facilities, particularly the football (soccer) fields, are not adequately designed to promote sports activities. Many of the fields lack proper fencing and are not suitable for use due to issues like uneven surfaces. In some instances, these spaces are rented and only accessible during dry periods, as is the case with Lalande in the 5th section, for example.
Recreation
Types of recreational areas | Quantity | Location |
---|---|---|
Football (soccer) Fields | 35 | Citywide |
Cybernetic Center | 1 | Guinaudée (2nd) |
Gaguères | 52 | Citywide |
Cultural Centers | 2 | Downtown |
Guest-Houses | 2 | Downtown / Cabaret (1st) |
Hotels | 4 | Downtown |
Movie theaters | 12 | Citywide |
Restaurants | 9 | Citywide |
Nightclubs | 3 | Downtown / Guinaudée (2nd) |
Multi-purpose House (intermittent operation) | 1 | Downtown |
Distribution of leisure areas in the commune of Jean-Rabel
References[]
Transforming Agricultural Lands in the Far West [1]
Jean-Rabel development plan [2]
"Jean-Rabel" - Machesounet.com [3]
"Jean-Rabel: opportunités et richesses inexploitées" - Haiti Observer [4]
"Communal Development Plan of Jean-Rabel" - [5]
"Jean-Rabel, Haiti 2021" - Videyopeyi [6]
"Liste des Institutions Sanitaires du Pays" - MSPP - [7]
"Love Pou Jean-Rabel" - Walky Celestin - [8]
"Biggy Baby Boy" (Jean-Rabel is open for buisness - Maturite Entertainment - [9] Michael Vedrine