Hundreds of Voodoo worshippers gathered at the main cemetery in Port-au-Prince, the Haitian capital, on Saturday to observe the annual Day of the Dead festival — a sacred tradition rooted in centuries-old beliefs that honour the spirits of ancestors.
Known locally as Fèt Gede, the two-day commemoration is one of the most important events in Haiti’s spiritual calendar. However, this year’s observance unfolded under a cloud of sorrow and fear, following the destruction caused by Hurricane Melissa and the country’s worsening wave of gang violence.
Tradition meets turmoil
At the heart of the celebrations stands a tomb believed to house the remains of Baron Samedi, the guardian of the dead and one of the most revered figures in Haitian Voodoo. Dressed in black suits, top hats, and dark glasses, worshippers flocked to the site to offer prayers, dance, and seek blessings for the year ahead.
Traditionally, devotees bring candles, bones, food, flowers, and jugs of rum to lay at the graves of loved ones and to feed the spirits. These offerings are believed to strengthen the bond between the living and the dead — a relationship that is central to Voodoo spirituality.
“Baron Samedi represents life, death, and renewal,” said Marie-Claire Joseph, a Port-au-Prince resident who has attended the festival for over a decade. “Even when the world feels dark, we come to celebrate the souls that guide and protect us.”
But this year, many participants said the celebrations carried a tone of mourning and resilience rather than joy. The aftermath of Hurricane Melissa and the growing insecurity in the city have weighed heavily on the country’s spirits.
A nation battered by storms and strife
Authorities confirmed that at least 31 people were killed and 21 others remain missing after Hurricane Melissa swept across southern Haiti earlier in the week, triggering floods and mudslides. The storm destroyed homes, roads, and bridges, forcing more than 15,800 people into temporary shelters.
For a country already struggling with chronic poverty and political instability, the storm has dealt yet another blow to an already fragile nation.
Meanwhile, Port-au-Prince itself remains gripped by unrelenting gang warfare. Nearly 90 percent of the capital is now under the control of armed groups, according to local reports. These gangs have taken over neighbourhoods, police stations, and key roads, paralyzing movement and leaving residents in constant fear.
Since the surge in violence began last year, thousands of people have been killed or injured, and over a million displaced, with many fleeing their homes to escape kidnappings, extortion, and shootings.
Fèt Gede: faith in the face of despair
Despite the hardships, the Day of the Dead continues to serve as a source of strength and unity for Haitians. For many, Fèt Gede is more than a festival — it is a spiritual act of resistance and remembrance.
“Even when we have nothing, we have our ancestors,” said a priest known locally as houngan Joseph Michel, who led a ceremony at the cemetery. “We honour them because they are our roots, and through them, we find courage to keep living.”
The rituals of Fèt Gede blend West African traditions brought by enslaved people in the 16th century with Catholic influences introduced by European colonizers. This fusion created what is now recognized as Haitian Voodoo, an official religion and an integral part of the country’s identity.
During the festival, worshippers often dance to the rhythm of drums, chant in Creole, and enter a trance-like state believed to allow the spirits of the dead — the lwa — to communicate through them. The atmosphere is one of reverence, yet also defiance against the harsh realities of life in Haiti.
A quieter celebration
Unlike previous years, however, this year’s gatherings were noticeably smaller and less festive. Many residents were unable to travel due to gang-controlled roadblocks, and fear of violence kept others indoors.
Armed patrols were visible near the cemetery gates, and several religious leaders called for peace and protection for the city’s vulnerable communities.
“Fèt Gede is about remembering those who came before us,” said 42-year-old participant Nadine Pierre. “But this year, it also feels like we are remembering those who have just been lost — to floods, to bullets, to hunger. It’s heartbreaking.”
The normally vibrant colours of the celebration — purple, white, and black — were subdued this year, reflecting the sombre mood of a nation in distress.
Faith and endurance
Haiti’s deep connection to spirituality has long helped its people endure tragedy. From the 2010 earthquake to repeated hurricanes and political upheavals, faith has remained a powerful force of resilience.
Sociologist and cultural historian Jean Robert Louis explained that Fèt Gede continues to provide emotional stability in times of crisis.
“In Voodoo, death is not the end — it is a continuation,” he said. “The spirits of our ancestors give us wisdom to survive the impossible. That’s why even when there is chaos, Haitians find strength in their faith.”
For many Haitians, this year’s Fèt Gede was not merely about honouring the past but about praying for the nation’s future — for peace, for stability, and for the strength to rebuild once again.
Calls for international support
As Haiti faces the twin disasters of natural calamity and internal conflict, humanitarian agencies are calling for urgent global assistance. The United Nations has warned of worsening hunger and displacement, while relief groups have appealed for more aid to reach isolated communities cut off by flooding and gang control.
Despite these challenges, moments of unity and resilience shone through during the Fèt Gede ceremonies. Families prayed together at gravesites, lighting candles and singing hymns for the souls of the departed — and for the living who continue to endure unimaginable hardship.
“Every year, we come back,” said worshipper Solange Etienne. “No matter how bad things get, we come back to the cemetery. Because the spirits never abandon us — and we will never abandon them.”
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