Kè lib, lespwa toujou bèl
Haiti, the first independent Black republic and the second independent nation in the Americas, has a remarkable history, particularly its struggle against colonial powers. One of the most notable events was how the Haitian revolutionaries defeated Napoleon’s forces in the early 19th century. Under the leadership of figures like Toussaint L’Ouverture and Jean-Jacques Dessalines, the enslaved population of Saint-Domingue rose up against the French colonial rulers, pushing back against attempts to restore slavery after its abolition.
Through a series of fierce battles and strategic alliances, the Haitian forces employed guerrilla warfare tactics that utilized their knowledge of the terrain and their unwavering determination for freedom. By 1804, Haiti declared its independence, becoming a symbol of resistance and hope for oppressed peoples around the world. This remarkable victory not only changed the course of Haitian history but also sent shockwaves through the institution of slavery globally.
In honor of this legacy, let’s explore ten poignant poems in Kreyòl that encapsulate the spirit of Haiti’s struggle, alongside their English and French translations:
1. **Péyi a fèt**
*Kreyòl:* Péyi a fèt, ak san ak lwanj,
*English:* The country was born, with blood and praise,
*French:* Le pays est né, avec du sang et des louanges.
2. **Libète se kado**
*Kreyòl:* Libète se kado, ki pa ka achte,
*English:* Freedom is a gift that cannot be bought,
*French:* La liberté est un cadeau qui ne peut être acheté.
3. **Zantray chaje ak istwa**
*Kreyòl:* Zantray chaje ak istwa, ki pa janm bliye,
*English:* Our guts are filled with stories that shall never be forgotten,
*French:* Nos entrailles sont pleines d’histoires qui ne doivent jamais être oubliées.
4. **Bwa chenn lan**
*Kreyòl:* Dèyè bwa chenn lan, kwasans sakre,
*English:* Behind the chains, sacred growth,
*French:* Derrière les chaînes, une croissance sacrée.
5. **Toutan se rèv**
*Kreyòl:* Toutan se rèv, pou yon gran fèt,
*English:* Always a dream, for a great celebration,
*French:* Toujours un rêve, pour une grande célébration.
6. **Men sa nou ye**
*Kreyòl:* Men sa nou ye, fò ak fyète,
*English:* This is who we are, strong and proud,
*French:* Voici qui nous sommes, forts et fiers.
7. **Pa gen baryè**
*Kreyòl:* Pa gen baryè pou rèv ki solid,
*English:* No barriers for dreams that are solid,
*French:* Pas de barrières pour des rêves solides.
8. **Kè lib, lespwa**
*Kreyòl:* Kè lib, lespwa toujou bèl,
*English:* A free heart, hope is always beautiful,
*French:* Un cœur libre, l’espoir est toujours beau.
9. **Sous dlo a, nou kone**
*Kreyòl:* Sous dlo a, nou kone nan fèm,
*English:* Under the water, we swim in strength,
*French:* Sous l’eau, nous nageons dans la force.
10. **Tan chanje, men rev nou**
*Kreyòl:* Tan chanje, men rev nou kontinye,
*English:* Times change, but our dreams continue,
*French:* Les temps changent, mais nos rêves continuent.
These poems remind us of Haiti’s resilience and the enduring spirit of its people, echoing the triumphant victory over colonialism, as well as the continuous journey towards freedom and identity. Etiam vel justo ante. Nulla ullamcorper vehicula ipsum.
Through a series of fierce battles and strategic alliances, the Haitian forces employed guerrilla warfare tactics that utilized their knowledge of the terrain and their unwavering determination for freedom. By 1804, Haiti declared its independence, becoming a symbol of resistance and hope for oppressed peoples around the world. This remarkable victory not only changed the course of Haitian history but also sent shockwaves through the institution of slavery globally.
In honor of this legacy, let’s explore ten poignant poems in Kreyòl that encapsulate the spirit of Haiti’s struggle, alongside their English and French translations:
1. **Péyi a fèt**
*Kreyòl:* Péyi a fèt, ak san ak lwanj,
*English:* The country was born, with blood and praise,
*French:* Le pays est né, avec du sang et des louanges.
2. **Libète se kado**
*Kreyòl:* Libète se kado, ki pa ka achte,
*English:* Freedom is a gift that cannot be bought,
*French:* La liberté est un cadeau qui ne peut être acheté.
3. **Zantray chaje ak istwa**
*Kreyòl:* Zantray chaje ak istwa, ki pa janm bliye,
*English:* Our guts are filled with stories that shall never be forgotten,
*French:* Nos entrailles sont pleines d’histoires qui ne doivent jamais être oubliées.
4. **Bwa chenn lan**
*Kreyòl:* Dèyè bwa chenn lan, kwasans sakre,
*English:* Behind the chains, sacred growth,
*French:* Derrière les chaînes, une croissance sacrée.
5. **Toutan se rèv**
*Kreyòl:* Toutan se rèv, pou yon gran fèt,
*English:* Always a dream, for a great celebration,
*French:* Toujours un rêve, pour une grande célébration.
6. **Men sa nou ye**
*Kreyòl:* Men sa nou ye, fò ak fyète,
*English:* This is who we are, strong and proud,
*French:* Voici qui nous sommes, forts et fiers.
7. **Pa gen baryè**
*Kreyòl:* Pa gen baryè pou rèv ki solid,
*English:* No barriers for dreams that are solid,
*French:* Pas de barrières pour des rêves solides.
8. **Kè lib, lespwa**
*Kreyòl:* Kè lib, lespwa toujou bèl,
*English:* A free heart, hope is always beautiful,
*French:* Un cœur libre, l’espoir est toujours beau.
9. **Sous dlo a, nou kone**
*Kreyòl:* Sous dlo a, nou kone nan fèm,
*English:* Under the water, we swim in strength,
*French:* Sous l’eau, nous nageons dans la force.
10. **Tan chanje, men rev nou**
*Kreyòl:* Tan chanje, men rev nou kontinye,
*English:* Times change, but our dreams continue,
*French:* Les temps changent, mais nos rêves continuent.
These poems remind us of Haiti’s resilience and the enduring spirit of its people, echoing the triumphant victory over colonialism, as well as the continuous journey towards freedom and identity. Etiam vel justo ante. Nulla ullamcorper vehicula ipsum.
Nan lakou a, flè yo ap fleri,
Chak petal se yon dòt ki ka reve,
Fè m sonje, fwa sa yo,
Kote solèy la leve, tout bagay se pwòch.
O, lanmou sa a, nan kawotchou a,
Gade jan l ap dans, nan van an, li pase,
Kolòk, ak bri sa yo,
Nou se pòte tout sa ki bèl, ansamn an fòse.
Nan je nou, gen yon limyè,
Kote tout blesi ta ka geri,
Pye bwa a se yon temwayaj,
Pou tout ti istwa sa yo ki kontinye ap swiv.
Rèv yo, byen klè, tankou dlo,
Ki koule nan kè nou, yo sonje,
Nan gran pye bwa a, se yon ti sèl ès,
Kote lanmou ak esperans, toujou nes.
Chak petal se yon dòt ki ka reve,
Fè m sonje, fwa sa yo,
Kote solèy la leve, tout bagay se pwòch.
O, lanmou sa a, nan kawotchou a,
Gade jan l ap dans, nan van an, li pase,
Kolòk, ak bri sa yo,
Nou se pòte tout sa ki bèl, ansamn an fòse.
Nan je nou, gen yon limyè,
Kote tout blesi ta ka geri,
Pye bwa a se yon temwayaj,
Pou tout ti istwa sa yo ki kontinye ap swiv.
Rèv yo, byen klè, tankou dlo,
Ki koule nan kè nou, yo sonje,
Nan gran pye bwa a, se yon ti sèl ès,
Kote lanmou ak esperans, toujou nes.
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