January 14, 2025
THE TASTE OF FREEDOM
Joumou, Creole for squash or pumpkin, has been grown in Haiti since it was a slave colony. The enslaved people of Saint-Domingue often made the rich, luxurious Soup Joumou for their enslavers, and were themselves banned from ever eating it. On January 1st, 1804, when the revolution officially earned Haitians their freedom, they celebrated by eating the forbidden soup–and the tradition has continued each year on January 1st to celebrate Haitian independence. In December of 2021, Soup Joumou earned Haiti a place on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and it continues to be a symbol for the ongoing struggle for Black liberation in Haiti and beyond.
BY AND FOR THE PEOPLE
Historically, on January 1st, Haitians make their own Soup Joumou or gather around pots made by family, friends, and neighbors. Since 2016, Konbit Soup Joumou, which is run by Roots of Development’s partner Gwoup Konbit, has offered another option–a community gathering where any and all can receive a bowl of Soup Joumou for free. These events are a way to build Haitian pride and unity, as well as promote mutual aid.
In 2024, Gwoup Konbit’s network hosted 34 Konbit Soup Joumou events across all ten of Haiti’s departments, serving a total of more than 18,000 bowls of soup. To make the events possible, Over 300 professionals, students, and community leaders participated across the country, with about 50 of them serving in Port-au-Prince alone.
“I can’t remember the last time all 10 departments of Haiti were this happy at the same time”
For Louino Robillard, Program Director of Rasin Devlopman and Co-founder of Gwoup Konbit, the impact of Konbit Soup Joumou is unprecedented. “I can’t remember the last time all 10 departments of Haiti were this happy at the same time,” he reflected. “Maybe when the Haitian national soccer team plays—but even then, we don’t win very often,” he joked. Robillard highlighted how Konbit Soup Joumou brings the entire nation together to eat, sing, and dance in unity. “As a nation, we need more initiatives that connect rather than divide us. We believe that the spirit of Konbit can and will make a significant social impact, bringing the Haitian community together to rebuild a nation of peace and justice.”
BEYOND THE BOWL
Konbit Soup Joumou events weren’t just a meal–they were full day cultural celebrations, including everything from DJs and dance parties, to photo booths, to games and competitions.
Haitian artist Freedom also wrote an anthem for Konbit Soup Joumou this year. Here’s an excerpt of the lyrics:
Se nouk te kreye libète
Sèl linyon ka sove peyi a
Ayisyen Ayisyen, leve pou nal bwè Soup Joumou
Soup Joumou sa, se libète, fòs nou se nan
linyon li ye
Konbit la ap kontinye
We created freedom
Only unity can save the country
Haitians Haitians, wake up to drink Soup Joumou
This Soup Joumou is freedom, our strength is in our unity
The Konbit continues
HOME-GROWN CHANGE
Haiti is generally very reliant on imports for food–but the pumpkins for Soup Joumou are grown in Haiti.
Haiti is generally very reliant on imports for food–but the pumpkins for Soup Joumou are grown in Haiti. After last year’s edition of Konbit Soup Joumou in Cap Haitien, the organizers collected the seeds from the squash and used them to start a Konbit Garden. This year, that garden furnished not only the pumpkins for Cap Haitien’s Konbit Soup Joumou, but for the events in Port-au-Prince and other areas as well. Their tandem fundraising efforts collected enough to fund all four of the Soup Joumou events in the North Department.
Gwoup Konbit fundraised for the initiative from its network in and outside of Haiti, raising in total more than 6 million Gourdes (about $46,000) from 1400 individuals across all ten departments and the diaspora. Nearly 100% of the money raised goes back to local farmers, as almost all the ingredients for the soup joumou are sourced directly from their gardens. Supporting the farmers’ economy ensures that every contribution makes a meaningful impact on rural livelihoods.
Nearly 100% of the money raised goes back to local farmers, as almost all the ingredients for the soup joumou are sourced directly from their gardens.
NOURISHING COMMUNITY
In L’Estère, a community in the Artibonite region affected by gang violence, local leaders found a way to bring hope and solidarity during the event’s preparation. They went to local radio stations to speak about Konbit Soup Joumou, spreading messages of peace and unity, and reminding everyone of the importance of community. They invited residents to set aside their fears and divisions to come together and eat as brothers and sisters. 540 bowls of soup were distributed in L’Estère.
In Lascahobas, where 600 bowls were handed out at their first-ever Konbit Soup Joumou event, community leaders have become inspired to use the network they’ve built for future community projects.
SPOONFULS OF HOPE
The current situation in Haiti has weakened a social fabric already systemically picked apart by centuries of foreign intervention and failed aid. Projects like these–which bring together communities around shared culture utilizing collective resources–are at the heart of the konbit movement. Gwoup Konbit and its partners are working to build community and trust in Haiti, reclaiming Haiti’s history and culture for the collective good.
