Back in 1791, a self educated former slave named Toussaint L'Ouverture rounded up a Haitian army that fought off colonization by the French, Spanish and British. The slaves were eventually freed and Toussaint went on to issue Haiti's 1st constitution in 1801. He was later captured by the French but the Haitian army fought on. On November 18, 1803, the last of the French forces were defeated.
One year later, on the 1st of January, the French finally recognized Haiti's independence and renounced slavery in Haiti once and for all. Haiti was first black-led nation in the world and is the only country whose independence stemmed from a successful slave rebellion.
So .... you're probably wondering what that has to do with pumpkin soup right?
Well, all throughout their reign of terror, the French forbade Haitians from drinking pumpkin soup. It was considered a delicacy far too sophisticated for the palate of slaves. Therefore as a symbol of freedom, all Haitians, no matter where they live, have pumpkin soup (soup joumou) every January first since 1804.
One year later, on the 1st of January, the French finally recognized Haiti's independence and renounced slavery in Haiti once and for all. Haiti was first black-led nation in the world and is the only country whose independence stemmed from a successful slave rebellion.
So .... you're probably wondering what that has to do with pumpkin soup right?
Well, all throughout their reign of terror, the French forbade Haitians from drinking pumpkin soup. It was considered a delicacy far too sophisticated for the palate of slaves. Therefore as a symbol of freedom, all Haitians, no matter where they live, have pumpkin soup (soup joumou) every January first since 1804.
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