Discover Jean-Rabel, northwestern Haiti’s hidden gem for tourists

PORT-DE-PAIX—- Nestled along the blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean to the north, bordered by the Artibonite Department to the south, the district of Môle Saint-Nicolas to the west, and Port-de-Paix to the east, Jean-Rabel—also known as Jan Rabèl in Creole—is a vibrant commune in Haiti’s Northwest Department. Located approximately 155 miles north of Port-au-Prince, the Haitian capital, this commune has relatively been overlooked by state authorities despite its rich historical, cultural and economic potential.

Jean-Rabel is one of the oldest communes in Haiti, renowned for its vibrant entertainment, music, festivals, and picturesque beaches situated approximately five miles from the city center. In 2021, Jean-Rabel celebrated its 200th anniversary since being recognized as a commune.

Located just 25 miles west of Port-de-Paix, the capital city of the Northwest Department, Jean-Rabel was founded in 1743. In 1821, the late President Jean-Pierre Boyer elevated it to the status of a commune.

With its seven communal sections—Lacoma, Guinaudée, Vieille Hatte, La Montagne, Dessources, Grande Source, and Diondion—Jean-Rabel boasts a population of over 160,000 people, making it the second most densely populated commune in the northwest, following Port-de-Paix.

Like other municipalities in Haiti, Jean-Rabel has its patronal feast, Fèt Chanpè, honoring Saint Jean-Baptiste, celebrated on June 24. That vibrant celebration follows Saint Georges, which is celebrated on April 23 in Bassin Bleu, just about 30 miles southeast of Jean-Rabel.

The following is a list of ten essential facts to know about Jean-Rabel:

• Historical significance

Jean-Rabel has a deep historical background, playing a significant role in the Haitian Revolution. It was a strategic location for the revolutionary forces fighting against French colonial rule, contributing to Haiti’s journey toward independence in 1804 1.

Later, Jean-Rabel was again at the center of a power struggle between the Republic of Haiti, led by Alexandre Pétion in the west-south, and the Kingdom of Haiti, ruled by Henri Christophe in the north. 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 Pétion.

More recently, in the late 1980s, a grassroots movement called Tèt Kole Ti Peyizan, which translates to “Small Farmers’ Heads Together” in English, aimed at defending people’s rights to agricultural lands, led to one of the bloodiest massacres against farmers in Haiti. On July 23, 1987, paramilitary groups and Tonton Macoutes, acting allegedly upon orders from local oligarchs Rémy Lucas, Léonard Lucas, Jean-Michel Richardson, and Nicol Poitevien, killed over 200 people and wounded 100 others, according to most accounts. 

Even 37 years later, victims and their families continue to demand justice as the alleged perpetrators enjoy impunity.

• Natural landscape

The commune of Jean-Rabel is characterized by its mountainous terrain, including two mountain ranges: Saint-Nicolas Mountain and Jean-Rabel Mountain. The highest points in these ranges are Mount Château, at 2,520 feet, and the Jean-Rabel Mountain range, which reaches 2,550 feet in altitude.

The region is home to mangroves, a massive river bearing its name, waterfalls and pristine beaches, offering eco-conscious travelers a chance to engage in sustainable tourism activities.

Jean-Rabel is a hidden gem for tourists, as it remains largely unexplored due to the lack of direct flights. Despite the low levels of development, some consider this an advantage. The region remains untouched by industrialization, preserving the abundant Haitian fauna and flora. Due to its relative isolation, the residents have become highly self-sufficient.

• Cultural diversity

Jean-Rabel is home to a diverse population, including Afro-Haitians and remnants of the indigenous Taino people, inhabitants of the regions before Christopher Columbus’ arrival on December 8, 1492. This cultural diversity is reflected in the local traditions, music, dance, and cuisine.

The practice of Vodou, a syncretic religion blending African, Catholic, and indigenous beliefs, is deeply rooted in Jean-Rabel’s culture. The town hosts vibrant Vodou ceremonies and rituals, providing visitors with a unique spiritual experience.

Jean-Rabel is known for its lively festivals and celebrations, such as the annual Fête Patronale, Saint Jean-Baptiste, which brings the community together and showcases the town’s rich cultural heritage.

• Agricultural Abundance

Jean-Rabel is renowned for its agricultural productivity. Due to the lack of machinery and an adequate irrigation system, farmers heavily rely on rainwater to cultivate various crops such as olives, plantains, bananas, yucca, mangoes, sugar cane, yams, beans, corn, sweet potatoes, and vegetables.

Additionally, the commune is known for producing coffee, cocoa, cotton, exquisite timber and cabinetry, salt, wax, scales, honey, pistachios, hides and skins, delicious oranges, coconuts 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.

• Artisanal craft

Jean-Rabel’s artisans are renowned for their craftsmanship, creating beautiful pottery, basketry and woodcarvings. Visitors can explore local markets to admire and purchase these unique handmade items, supporting the local economy.

• Economic activities

Jean-Rabel’s economy is primarily based on agriculture, commerce and the extraction of mines and quarries. The region is also known for its production of livestock and fisheries.

• Infrastructure 

Jean-Rabel boasts a range of infrastructure, including transportation, education, healthcare, and utilities. The largest hospital in the commune is the Notre Dame de La Paix Hospital. The city also features the Catholic church of Saint Jean Baptiste, a municipal palace, a police station, football fields, public market infrastructures, several nightclubs and hotels.

Residents in the commune currently rely on two primary energy sources: a thermal network that serves a portion of the town center and solar streetlights installed in different areas within the communal territory. Nevertheless, despite these improvements, deficiencies in the thermal plant’s management and operation, as well as financial constraints, need to be addressed.

Despite a lack of data on water management, it is clear that the town of Jean-Rabel boasts a significant number of water sources. Most 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 and Gros-sable. The Catron spring mainly supplies a 50,000-gallon tank that caters to the town center.

In the area of communications, access to mobile networks has increased since 2006 with the arrival of Digicel and then Natcom in 2011. At least 50% of the local population has access to a mobile phone.

• Education

Jean-Rabel has numerous primary and secondary schools, a technical and vocational school, literacy centers, a private college—Burnett International University—and a public teacher training school (ENI Nord-Ouest), which was inaugurated on October 10, 2005. Additionally, the town is equipped with libraries, a theater, cinemas, nightclubs and cultural centers.

• Warm hospitality

One of the most memorable aspects of visiting Jean-Rabel is the warm hospitality of its residents. Visitors are welcomed with open arms and can experience the genuine kindness and generosity of the local people, making their stay truly unforgettable.

• Climate and rainfall

Based on its relief, the commune of Jean-Rabel exhibits two distinct climate patterns: a high-altitude climate with an annual average rainfall of 47 inches and a semi-arid climate ranging from 20  to 35 inches 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, numerous fruit trees provide shade for the cultivation of coffee and cocoa. 

Sources
Fandom: https://haiti.fandom.com/wiki/Jean-Rabel 
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Rabel/Tonton_Macoute