Latin-American Studies

This paper draws on the view that migration has played an important role in the culture and history of the Haitian society. This has been characteristic of the settlement patterns through slave rebellion, therefore making Haiti the first black republic in the Caribbean. To understand the role of migration in this light, it is significant to note that since 1980, Haiti has seen its population increasing tremendously a factor that has been characterized by urbanization that favored migration of the citizens of Haiti from Ti Rivye and then to Port-au-Prince. The reason behind this migration was pegged on the land fragmentation as well as the economic and social transformation. As a result, the cultural aspect of the Haitian society disintegrated, leading many Haitians to migrate to where they felt they would eke a living. Accordingly, an emergence of the politically significant but unstable middle class that composed of the blacks emerged and continued to shape the Haitian society that we have today (Richman 56-57). The emergence of the black middle class in the Haiti was composite of both the traditional elites and peasantry.

Migration in Haiti
To understand the role and impact of migration on the culture and society of Haiti, it is prudent to understand the factors that contributed to migration. Essentially, migration as well as the intrusion of foreign mission introduced newer forms of relationships in Haiti a factor that marked its multifaceted culture. Arguably, the legacy of slavery and the French colonization in Haiti promoted the phenomenon of migration that finally left a lasting impact on the culture of Haiti. Richman presumes that the marked dual cultural identity of Haiti is typified by peasantry life, Creole language, voodoo, traditional marriages and folk religion (83-85). With the introduction of the middle class as a result of migration, certain factors of Haiti cultural heritage have continually changed.

Haitian Society and its Culture
The population of Haiti has an increasing growth rate in rural areas than urban areas. King articulates that migration is the major reason behind this upsurge in population. Significantly, people in rural areas continually moved in the 1980s there was a reported increasing number of Haitians who migrated from rural areas to cities (243-245). Accordingly, Palmie further observes that the beginning of the 20th century saw the Dominican Republic registering temporary as well as permanent migrants from Haiti. This form of migration largely changed how Haitians behaved because their social and cultural orientation shifted towards poverty as most of them took up menial jobs such as cutting canes in a bid to earn a living (121-123). As a result, the infusion of capital was equally evident in the Haitian society.

The social structure of the Haitian society changed considerably following the impact of immigration. It is plausible to argue that the extermination of the native Haiti population was a concept that was favored by the policies and practices of slavery. Arguably, as the government officials sought to control every part of the Haitian population, the society of Haiti was structured to reflect the intentions of the ruling class and as such, the production of wealth for the rulers and investors paved way for migration to cities an element that provided labor and human capital (Palmie 177-179). For instance, the three-tier social structure typified by the white elites as the upper class, the freedmen as the middle class and the slaves as the lower class was an invention of the colonial master. This element of social class in Haiti propagated fear and discontent among the freedmen both in light of politically and economic potential. The resulting experience involved conflict between the migrants and the natives.

As a result of the social structure, Richman asserts that the ordinary Haitian was subjected to harsh living conditions, work conditions, and death of the slaves, a factor that led to slave rebellion. Essentially, the revolution of Haiti led to the changing of the social structure following the elimination of the ruling class, which was composite of the white population. Accordingly, Mullato leader designed a social structure based on the provision of free labor in the plantation (311-315). King further explains that this system worked for a short time. In other words, migration assembled forces of the people against the oppressive leadership through a continued revolution that saw the newer upper class controlling industrial activities that were urban based. As such, it is evident that more Haitians in the rural areas were attracted to the life in urban cities and moved there in a bid to benefit from the economic power behind industrial activities.

In addition, Palmie contends that the traditional concepts of birth, marriage, voodoo and economic activities declined as a result of migration, giving room for the modernization and concepts of urban thinking. At around the 19th century, it is evident that the ruling class which was composite of both the military as well as the elite groups led to a scenario of inheritance of political powers (278-281). Arguably, the birth of an individual unquestionably determined the social position of the person. The cultural values became a concept of shared values and these fostered the solidarity of class. It is important to note that these urban-based activities led to the emergence of a middle class that, although small, was politically significant. According to Palmie, social mobility in Haiti increased but the peasantry life was not included in national issues. As those who remained in rural areas experienced economic hardships, they were motivated to migrate to urban cities in search of a decent standard of living, a factor that increased the urban lower class (105-107).

As a result of migration, the traditional elites continued to hold key positions in real estate, trade and industry. This was determined by a single parameter of a thorough knowledge of cultural enhancement for one to claim an elite membership. However, immigration continued to affect ones conceptualization as characterized by the introduction of the English, Arabic, German and Danish names to the customary French surnames that characterized the Mullato elites (Palmie 156-158).

It is of essence to claim that migration positioned Haiti to look at people s social class in terms of ethnicity. For example, the ethnic groups became categorical as they were viewed in light of minority and majority. Arabs, who, following the urbanization and trade activities, immigrated to Haiti, engendered Haitian s hostility but their presence, although a minority group, brought in a new face in the social and cultural orientation of the Haitian society.

Migration factored in the adoption of Creole language as a result of the intermarriage between the Haitian elite as well as through the integration in the aspects of culture and socialization. In addition, the mulatto elite continued to thwart the political operations of the Haiti. Although this formed a cultural insecurity, class solidarity, traditions and identity became weak paving way for literacy and upward mobility as symbols of higher status. As such the lifestyles of the upper and middle class was the priority of the rural peasantry and this factor represented the concept of social eminence as well as prejudice. With regard to this, traditional cultural aspects diminished among the middle class Haitian (Palmie, 234-238).

Entirely, migration brought in an element of strata within the peasantry group. Richman explains that those peasants who worked as tenants had some hope of inheriting the plots they worked in and thus, they identified themselves differently from other peasants (54-58). Ideally, wealthier peasants who managed to maintain their economic positions as a result of local politics as well as control of capital. With regard to this, a strong sense of identity was characterized by these peasants because they saw themselves as cultivators of land.

Gender Roles and Family Life in Traditional Haiti
The cultural perspective of gender roles and family life in Haiti changed a great deal as a result of migration. Initially, both men and women engaged in complementary roles where heavy work as well as farming was a preserve of men, while women delved in domestic chores such as harvesting and weeding (King, 172-174). Consequently, the women of Haiti participated in the labor forces as the culture of Haiti valued the contribution of everyone to the economy. In addition, both men and women valued children and worked tirelessly towards upbringing, an element that is not common in many Latin American countries. As a result, it is evident that rearing children was a question of both husband and wife especially of the fact that both parents ensured that all children received inheritance on equal levels.

Family life was characterized by traditional norms of marriage with common religious and civil marriages. However, in the present Haitian society, Christian marriages have set into play with divorce which was once a rare phenomenon, being an acceptable component of marriage (Palmie 34-37). In addition, gender roles consequently changed with women and men being able to do any activity so long as they achieve their economic gain. With regard to this, there are many rights that have been structured to advocate women and issues of equity. Overall, migration due to political and foreign policies have entirely altered the cultural belief in family life, a component of culture in the society of Haiti.

Language in Haiti
Traditionally, the languages that were spoken in Haiti were French and Creole. These two languages had a social interplay as Creole formed the indigenous language while French functions as its official language. According to Palmie, Creole was evident in the monolingual majority while the ruling elite became bilingual (117-119). Significantly, language complicated the relationship between the masses and the elite and as all Haitian took pride in using Creole as their national language, migration led to controversial debate as to whether Creole had any rule to be taken as a national language. Richman points out that attitudes towards Creole began to change following the urban economic activities coupled by the investments of Arabs, Germans and Englishmen (17-19). As a result, English was favored against French as the language of business therefore underscoring the point that migration, which paved way to immigration as well emigration, affects the cultural orientation and the society of Haiti. The interplay between migration and cultural relationship around gender roles and family setups is facilitated through the cultural influence of Africans and French. This paradigm shift in cultural shift leans towards the modernization of African heritage.

Rural Haiti
Migration has extensively facilitated a situation where majority of Haitians live in rural areas. This part of Haiti is under the influence of the heritage of Africa as a result of the experience of slavery. Richman points out these aspects continually shape how the Haitian society defines its familial and marital relationships as well as economic activities. Migration of the Afro-Haitians, who are mainly Mullatoes from the rural areas, has led to the present modification of the traditional cultural practices and extensively, the elimination of others (178-181).

In addition, the migration of Haitians has maintained their religious outlook. King argues that religion through aesthetic and ritual practices had their Haitian myths of voodoo entirely changed. Arguably, Haitians, as a result of migration, have welcomed the modern aspect of morality which anchors their spiritual connection (59-61). For example, modernity has presented a new form of religious connection which includes the use of video tapes to basically enlarge their spiritual domain. This is characteristic of how modern spiritual orientation such as sacred songs are recorded electronically and shared among communities for the sake of worshiping God. In essence, concepts of power, social organizations, rituals and family setups have widely been altered, a factor that is attributed to migration (Richman, 14-18).

The migration in Haiti from TI Rivye, dubbed as dramatic exodus, largely influenced the Haitian peasantry outlook which gradually changed to the modern Haitian proletariat. As most Haitians were so concerned with economic prowess, they left their rural homes to look for economic fortunes. However, as migration extended, the concept of indigenous religion was brought into focus thus influencing the interaction of Haitians with iwa and pwen. These encompassed the anthropomorphic spirits that were inherited as a result of family lineage. On the other hand, pwen borders the precincts of relations and situations which are characteristic in marking the religious performance. As these interactions expanded, the religious perspective changed to suit the demands that life pressed onto Haitians (Richman, 133-136).

Conclusion
From the foregoing discussion, it is evident that migration in Haiti was a significant period of change in the society of Haiti as it played a significant role in changing the cultural orientation of the Haitian people as well as the larger society of Haiti. From the pre-colonial days, the French and Haitian revolution which led to several changes in the culture and society of Haiti has changed its social structure, family, gender roles, education, economics and religion. It is evident that by the 20th century, migration through inevitable forces of nature had brought to fore a high degree of physical mobility inspired by economic and social orientations, which up to date, grounds what and how the republic of Haiti has transformed. Through the inspiration of decent living and in a bid to improve the standards of living, the Haitians in the rural areas who were faced with harsh economic and work conditions opted to migrate to the urban cities where they mingled with French, Arabs, English and Germans. They therefore worked in plantations, a factor that distinctively defined their social status. Market with great political activities, social stratification came into play. These pursued a common goal of social as well as economic advancement, leading to a distinct network of rural and urban groups of Haitians, their attitudes and relationships with their ruling elites.