TI SENTANIZ
By Maurice A. Sixto
(translated from Creole into English by FMAS)

In most of Haiti’s rural zone, saying “Good Morning” when approaching the people is more important than knowing the direction of the road. In order to better understand this concept, you should go near St Rock’s Chapel.  In fact, once you say “Good Morning” to the people living in this area, they are ready to climb up the mountains “Tay Fe” or “Malanga” to take you to any house you are looking for. People close to this chapel are similar to their “kenep” (tropical fruit), believed to be the sweetest “kenep” ever.  Women in the vicinity of St. Rock’s chapel do the laundry, get their clothes in the city and are clean people.  Meanwhile, the men make small chairs and baskets.

I knew a man called Charitab near the chapel who used to make small chairs and baskets. When he goes to the city to sell his products,  he is always as overloaded as a packhorse, with everything on his head.

Charitab had a concubine called Dyedonn (Godgiven) whose nickname was Don. They lived in a one room straw house, on a yard.  In front of the house, Don had a display where she sold biscuits, peanuts, and a mixture of “kenep” soaking in alcohol she kept in a bottle.   It was her way to earn some money in to help Charitab and put something in the pot every day in order to feed the seven kids God has given to them.  Don had another small job to get some extra money: she used to sweep the chapel for seven gourds per month. However, this  job caused her a lot of animosity in the neighborhood, due to jealousy.  Charitab though always told her not to be discouraged.
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