contact@haitiwonderland.com+509 36184317

Discover

Shopping Cart

HAITI HERITAGE: The Gingerbread style, a heritage in dangerHaiti: Gingerbread
HAITI HERITAGE: The Gingerbread style, a heritage in danger
Haiti: Gingerbread
  • June 15, 2024
  • | 0

HAITI HERITAGE: The Gingerbread style, a heritage in danger

This style of Gingerbread house made its triumphant entry into the project of a new model of building in the middle of the 20th century in Haïti with the arrival of new Haitian engineers studied in Europe, more precisely in France, who were going to provide Haïti with a new form of construction. At that time, the Haitian landscape was flourishing, the city of Port-Au-Prince is full of trees where the weather is beautiful in the heights of the city of Princes, it was a heavenly place where businessmen, mixed with politicians depending on the time began to live in this green space. Today, the Gingerbread house style, a built heritage in danger.

The Gingerbread house style, a heritage in danger.

The State says nothing about the devaluation of these old houses which marked the post-colonial era. These houses, which experienced their glory days in the first half of the 20th century, are today in danger. Some of these houses which are in ruins, the majority, in a state of disrepair. Faced with natural disasters, the materials from which they were built were mainly wood, they could not withstand bad weather, because their lifespan is limited. This new style marked more than a century in the history of a new model of architecture in Haiti. However, their maintenance is too expensive. As wood is now scarcer, repair work becomes very expensive.

Following the adoption of new construction models towards the second half of the 21st century, we could see the virtual disappearance of this Gingerbread house model in Haiti. A new form of construction would replace the Gingerbread style, this is the moment when concrete offers possibilities for larger constructions and on larger spaces. Hence uses which accelerate their degradation or their frequent demolition in favor of concrete constructions.

Several attempts to evolve gingerbread, from wood and masonry, to reinforced concrete, remain very limited. In addition, these new houses built in concrete no longer have all the traditional characteristics of gingerbread. For Mr. Doret, “it’s a radical change, the style has disappeared”.

These old houses, in danger of disappearing, were affected and damaged during the earthquake of January 13, 2010. To reduce the damage caused by the said earthquake, private institutions, FOKAL jointly carried out an operation with one of the Haitian State organizations ,ISPAN, in order to safeguard the few Gingerbread style heritage which were not damaged during the earthquake of January 12, 2010.

Gingerbread style, heritage in danger, the Haitian state and the private sector should act to be able to save these old houses for future generations. Does the country exist without its historical heritage???

Share
About the Author
Leave a comment

Recently Posted

Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed of all our activities and news on Haiti.

Haïti Wonderland: How to Rewrite the Narrative of Haïti on the Web?

For the last three decades the internet has transformed the way people live, access information and promote worthy causes. Institutions that embrace this technology lead the way in their respective industries and last, while countries that embrace this technology and wisely implement it enable themselves to thrive and build sustainable economies. After decades of existence, the internet has been shared with mainly two groups of people; those who use it as a tool to build, and those who use it as a tool of destruction. Those who see the internet as a bridge to make a positive impact in the world and those who see it as the comfy bed to never leave, hence, the difference between the consumer and producer. Unfortunately our beloved home, Haiti, has been of the former mindset. Is it a lack of vision, lack of skills and competences or is it lack of hard working individuals? Regardless what it is or had been for decades, now is the time to change the paradigm on all fronts necessary and reshape the future. If the past decades have been ruled by non-production and negative press, now is the time to change the paradigm by producing and using the limitless of the web to sell the beauty, the culture and the greatness of Haïti to the rest of the world. If the past has been ruled with a selective truth and an effort to showcase the worst and by extension create the worst narrative, now, my fellow Haitian, regardless of where you are on this planet, is the time for us to undertake this mission, to take responsibility and recreate the narrative of our mother land. A narrative based on truth and transparency, a narrative that tells the story of who we are and certainly who we are not, a narrative to invite the world to explore and see for themselves. It is our duty. If not now, when? If not you and I, then, who? Our main mission at Haïti Wonderland is to rewrite the narrative of Haïti on the web. Then use the internet to bring Haïti back to the top of the touristic destination map once again. Those are what motivate us, the oxygen that we breath, they are the reason we wake up in the morning and fight. We didn’t choose this path because we know it will be easy but we choose it because: 1. It is a noble cause 2. It is necessary and 3. It must be done. But must importantly we take this path because we know you and every Haitian in this world, who knows the truth about Haïti are tired with what you see when typing Haïti on the web, and at the same time understand that something must change, and it must be done as soon as possible. We know you are ready for this, and together we will change the narrative of Haïti on the web and we will bring Haïti back to the top of the touristic destination map. This is a call of duty to you, regardless of your field of endeavor or where you’re located in this world. This is a call to join (http://haitiwonderland.com) to first see for yourself the movement you’re joining, then create your own account and start creating and sharing. Together we will rewrite the narrative of Haïti on the web. Thank you for joining this worthy cause. Let’s invite the world to discover the true face of Haiti.

Recently Posted

History

History

First black nation to free itself from slavery and gain independence from France in 1804 and influenced other liberation movements around the world, inspiring struggles for freedom and equality.

Natural beauty

Natural beauty

Haïti is blessed with spectacular natural landscapes, including white sand beaches, mountains and rich biodiversity.

Heritage

Heritage

Haïti has a rich historical heritage, including sites like the Citadelle Laferrière and the Sans-Souci Palace, listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Culture

Culture

Haïti has a rich and diverse culture, influenced by African, European and indigenous elements. Haitian music, dance, art and cuisine are celebrated around the world.