Rasanblaj: The Podcast (Formerly Nèg Mawon. All new episodes at rasanblaj.org exclusively.)

Welcome to the Nèg Mawon Podcast, where we delve into the rich history, resilience, and resistance of the Haitian people. In today's episode, titled "A Secret Among the Blacks - A Conversation with John Garrigus," our host, Patrick Jean-Baptiste, sits down with acclaimed author and historian, John Garrigus, to discuss the role of community in revolution and resistance against slavery. Garrigus challenges the prevailing notion that enslaved people were constantly rebelling against their oppressors, emphasizing instead the importance of building a community of trust. He contests the stereotype that violence was the sole driving force behind the Haitian Revolution, highlighting the story of Medor, who utilized nonviolent means in the fight for freedom. Diving into his book, Garrigus takes us on a chronological and geographical journey, focusing on specific regions and individuals associated with resistance communities. One intriguing aspect he uncovers is a poison scare in Haiti, where he unveils the culprit as anthrax, a disease brought from France. As Patrick and John exchange greetings and their initial confusion with a misidentified individual named David Gegis, they delve into the challenges of studying colonial Haiti and the value of considering the perspective of the enslaved people. They discuss the difficulties of navigating the archives and the imperative of centering the stories of the enslaved individuals rather than being caught up in the perspective of the enslavers. Our conversation continues with an exploration of the connections between key revolutionaries, such as Macandal and Boukman, revealing the contradictions in historical documents and the need to focus on the perspective of those fighting against slavery. Garrigus clarifies the misconceptions surrounding Mackandal, debunking him as a lord of poison and shedding light on his true role as a great leader and founder of Haitian culture. We also delve into the various forms of resistance implemented by the enslaved people, from spiritual practices and individual efforts for manumission to utilizing the French legal system and labor strikes on plantations. Garrigus sheds light on the complexity of resistance activities and the level of coordination among the strikers in their fight against the oppressive plantation system. Join us as we uncover the secrets of Haiti's past, challenge historical narratives, and celebrate the resilience and strength of the Haitian people. Get ready for an enlightening conversation with John Garrigus, an expert who opens our eyes to a history that has often been overlooked. Stay tuned for another captivating episode of the Nèg Mawon Podcast.

In this part 2/2 episode, Dr Lou starts breaking down two of the five key concepts he covers in his book: Pan-Africanism and black Atlantic Intellectualism. You'll hear the difference between the Garvism version of Pan-Africanism and Price-Mars'. Dr Lou also pays tribute to the amazing black women who were also signisficant contributors to Pan-Africanism. Enjoy the Troubadour Haitian folk ballads at the end.

"Between Two Worlds: Jean Price-Mars, Haiti, and Africa" is a special volume on Jean Price-Mars that reassesses the importance of his thought and legacy, and the implications of his ideas in the twenty-first century’s culture of political correctness, the continuing challenge of race and racism, and imperial hegemony in the modern world. In this first of many interviews, Dr. Joseph shares with us how Price-Mars’s thought is also significant for the renewed scholarly interests in Haiti and Haitian Studies in North America, and the meaning of contemporary Africa in the world today. Dr. Lou explores various dimensions in Price-Mars’ thought and his role as historian, anthropologist, cultural critic, public intellectual, religious scholar, pan-Africanist, and humanist.The goal of this book is fourfold: it explores the contributions of Jean Price-Mars to Haitian history and culture, it studies Price-Mars’ engagement with Western history and the problem of the “racist narrative,” it interprets Price-Mars’ connections with Black Internationalism, Harlem Renaissance, and the Negritude Movement, and finally, the book underscores Price-Mars’ contributions to post-colonialism, religious studies, Africana Studies, and Pan-Africanism. Show Notes In this episode (1/2), listen as Dr. Celucien Joseph (Dr. Lou)outlines the 5 themes he will discuss with us in this episode and the two others that follow. As it relates to Jean Price-Mars' writings and thoughts. The 5 themes are listed below. In this episode, Dr Lou Discusses Price-Mars' grounding within the context of Caribbean intellectual traditions, such as creolite, negritude, etc. Subsequent episodes will tackle the remaining 4 themes--not necessarily in the order he mentions them in this episode. Enjoy! Pan-Africanism Black Atlantic Intellectual History/thought/culture The Symbolic Meaning of Africa re to his writings. What does Africa mean to Price-Mars. Grounding Price-Mars in the Caribbean context of creolite, negritude, etc Price-Mars' connection to the Harlem Renaissance.

Through our art & religion, there is definitely a Haitian way of viewing & expressing how we engage with the world. Dr. Kaima Glover explains Spiralsm.

A curious monkey seeks sorrow and is saved by a mapou tree. The resilience of the mapou tree in a land of sweetness and sorrow. A chapter of nonsensical phrases adds confusion.

[Konesans Series - Ep. #54] Kreyol & the Translator's Craft. A Brief Chat with Dr Nadève Ménard

Dr. Rebecca Dirksen, an ethnomusicologist, discusses the role of music in Haitian culture. Topics include the definition of music in Haitian culture, the political critiques expressed through music, and the diverse soundscape of urban Haiti.

Dr. Fatton connects the popular Haitian term "Tout moun se moun" within the context of the Aristide era.

In this episode, Anthropologist Dr. Pierre Minn takes a deep dive into examining the work of Haitian health professionals in humanitarian aid encounters. Did you know that Haiti is the target of an overwhelming number of internationally funded health projects? While religious institutions sponsor a number of these initiatives, many are implemented within the secular framework of global health. Dr. Minn illustrates the divergent criteria that actors involved in global health use to evaluate interventions' efficacy. Haitian physicians, nurses, and administrative staff are hired to carry out these global health programs, distribute or withhold resources, and produce accounts of interventions' outcomes. In their roles as intermediaries, Haitian clinicians are expected not only to embody the humanitarian projects of foreign funders and care for their impoverished patients but also to act as sources of support for their own kin networks, while negotiating their future prospects in a climate of pronounced scarcity and insecurity. In Where They Need Me, you'll hear Dr. Minn countering simplistic depictions of clinicians and patients as heroes, villains, or victims as well as move beyond the donor-recipient dyad that has dominated theoretical work on humanitarianism and the gift.

In this week's Konesans, I asked Yale's Haitian historian Dr. Marlene Daut the following question: Are We in the Golden Age of Haitian Studies?