Everything about Jacmel totally explained
Jacmel, (
Jakmèl in
Kréyòl) also known by its indigenous name of
Yaquimel, is a city in southern
Haiti founded in
1698. It is the capital of the
department of
Sud-Est. Considered a cultural capital of Haiti, Jacmel is a quiet yet very charming city situated on Horseshoe Bay. Its population is estimated at 40,000. The city hasn't changed much since the late
19th century when the port city was home to wealthy coffee merchants living in gracious mansions which later influenced the home structure of much of
New Orleans; the architecture of the city boasted cast iron pillars and balconies purchased in
France. Today, many of these homes are now artisan shops that sell vibrant handicrafts, papier-mâché masks and carved-wood animal figures. In recent years, efforts have been made to revitalize the once flourishing
cigar and
coffee industries. The city is a popular tourist destination in Haiti due to its relative tranquility and distance from the recent political turmoil in the capital.
History of Jacmel
The city was created in 1698 as the capital of the south eastern part of the French colony
Saint-Domingue. The area now called Jacmel was
Taíno territory of the Xaragua chiefdom ruled by cacique
Bohechio. With the arrival of the French, and the later establishment of the town, the French renamed Yaquimel as Jacmel.
The War of Knives
Toussaint Louverture fought over Jacmel in the so-called
War of Knives between him and
André Rigaud. This war began in June of
1799. By November the rebels were pushed back to this strategic southern port, the defence of which was commanded by
Pétion. Jacmel fell to Toussaint's troops in March of
1800 and the rebellion was effectively over. Pétion and other
mulatto leaders went into exile in France.
Francisco de Miranda creates the Venezuelan flag
A predecessor of
Simón Bolívar in the liberation struggle from colonialism in Spanish ruled South America,
Francisco de Miranda, created the first Venezuelan flag near Jacmel. Anchored in the Bay of Jacmel (
Baie de Jacmel), he first raised the flag on March 12,
1806 on the Corvette
Leander. This day is still celebrated as Venezuelan Flag Day.
Ramón Emeterio Betances seeks an Antillean union
Puerto Rican pro-independence leader
Ramón Emeterio Betances spent a short interval in Jacmel in 1870, from where he channeled support for an uprising in the Dominican Republic, seeking to install a liberal government there. Then-president of Haiti
Nissage Saget supported Betances' ideals of a pan-Antillean union, and gave the uprising his support.
Jacmel today
The port town is internationally known for its vibrant art scene and elegant townhouses dating to the 1800s. In recent years Jacmel has been host to a large film festival, the 'Festival Film Jakmèl' started in 2004 and in 2007 the international music festival 'Festival Mizik Jakmèl' was successfully launched. Its carnival, the nearby Bassins Bleu (Haiti's famed blue water pools), and the scenic white sand beaches attract many visitors. There is even an old beached ship right outside the quaint Jacmelian Hotel. The hotel is nearby Horseshoe Bay and hosts many people, ranging from youth playing soccer, to older men smoking cigars and listening to music. Jacmel is a great place to see local activity. The port city is regarded as one of the safest cities in the country and so many incoming foreigners that enter the country in hope of a tranquil time, often head for Jacmel. Jacmel's urbanization has been increasing in large part due to economic finance generated through tourism. Royal Caribbean, the leasing tourism company whose cruise ships regularly dock at
Labadée, plans to add stoppovers to Jacmel.
In February 2007, Edo Zenny became the city's newly elected mayor.
Notable residents
Media
Radio
Radio Ambiance FM
Ambiance TV
Radio Anacaona
Radio Hispaniola Fm
Radio Télé-Diffusion Jacmelienne
Radio Télé-Express Continental
Radio Vibration Inter
Radio Jacmel Inter
Radio Détente
Radio Négritude
Gallery
Image:JacmelMardiGras.jpg|Mardi Gras Papier-mâché masks.
Image:JacmelView.jpg|Aerial of typical architectural scene.
Image:JacmelVodou.jpg|Vodou ceremony in Jacmel.
Image:Ayiti & DR 2007 049.jpg|A beautiful beach at Jacmel.
Image:Yaquimel.jpg|Jacmel as seen from the pier in the bay.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Jacmel'.
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