INTL 190 - Haiti in a Transnational Context

Religion

Haiti and Taiwan are both countries with a deeply embedded cultural background based on their diverse experience. Religion plays an influential and central role in the daily life of Haitian and Taiwanese people. The main religions that are practiced and celebrated in Haiti are Roman Catholicism and Vodou. Haitians have relied on Vodou for their “multidimensional spirituality as a source of strength and cultural expression across the diaspora” (Lake Forest College). The origins of Vodou are derived from African and Haitian beliefs and traditions because when the French terminated most of the original population of the island, they brought African slaves to inhabit the island. It has been an essential part of society since the Haitian Revolution as it allowed lower-class haitians and slaves to freely express their ideas of freedom, personal advancement, and protection (Lake Forest College).  Another religion present in Haitian society is Roman Catholicism that is the product of European influence when they inhabited the island. It became the nation's official religion from 1697 until 1985 but that did not impede haitians from practicing their other beliefs (Lake Forest College). Instead “slaves used the rituals of the Catholic church to mask their practices of their native traditions” (Lake Forest College). Haiti is a country with rich culture that has the ability to be used as an escape mechanism for social and cultural issues that the people have faced. Stemming from the Haitian Revolution, religion has played a key role in being able to free their conscious and have hope of freedom and independence which creates a valuable community for everyone to participate in. 

Here is a video that shows religion in Haiti:  


Religion in Taiwan is also diverse as its citizens practice several religions and are open-minded and respectful to other religions. The most practiced religions in Taiwan are Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism and folk religions. Taoism is practiced because of China’s influence in Taiwan as it is China’s native religion. Beliefs of this religion seek “harmony with nature, spiritual immortality and the cultivation of ‘virtues’ manifest through practices of meditation and in ‘fengshui’” (Cultural Atlas).  Confucianism is an important ideology as it places significance to the faith and personal beliefs of taiwanese people. It promotes the “importance of healthy relationships” and defines hierarchical roles based on reflect and sense of duty (Cultural Atlas). A common practice that Haitians and taiwanese people believe in is the concept of ancestor worship. In Confucianism, there is the belief of respecting their elders known as their ‘filial piety’ and in Voodooism using sèvi lwa yo, “people turn to the spirits and their ancestors to secure a better life for themselves and their community” (Michel 101). Both religions are immensely connected to familial, spiritual, and ancestral values. This creates a culture with a high sense of devotion to family and the ability to rely on one’s community. 

Here is a video that shows religion in Taiwan: 


Another experience that Haiti and Taiwan were susceptible to was a period of suppression of certain religions. Between the years of 1804 and 1860, the haitian government suppressed vodou practice, largely due to its revolutionary power as seen in the Haitian Revolution (Lake Forest College). People in Haiti would still practice their religion in secret and also have to  In Taiwan, during the Japanese occupation in 1895-1945, the religion of Taoism was suppressed due to its relevance to the Chinese (Taiwan: Heart of Asia). During this period, people had to worship their gods surreptitiously in Buddhist temples and when China regained the territory, the union of the religions still remained. This ultimately allowed Taiwan to develop unique practices such as worshiping all varieties of gods and spirits under the same temple (Taiwan: Heart of Asia). The cultures of both countries were influenced by the religion that is practiced. Religion plays an extensive role in the daily lives of haitian and taiwanese people. The importance of family and the community creates a deeply embedded culture with an emphasis on ancestral backgrounds. Both countries have endured a considerable amount of foreign influence from other nations making their practice of religion and culture receptive to diversity. Furthermore, the countries experienced some sort of suppression of their beliefs when a foreign nation was in power and eventually were able to overcome and create unique practices. 

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