Beyond the Soup: Honoring the Legacy of Ayiti

On January 1st, while much of the world is focused on resolutions and gym memberships, the Caribbean community is celebrating something much deeper: Liberty.

January 1, 1804, marks the day Haiti became the first Black Republic to declare its independence. It is a day rooted in resilience, courage, and the audacity to imagine a different future.

In Haitian households, this day is traditionally celebrated with Soup Joumou. During the era of enslavement, this savory pumpkin based soup was a delicacy forbidden to those who worked the land. By eating it on Independence Day, it became a revolutionary act, a taste of freedom.

At Caribbean Sentiments, we are starting 2026 by looking toward that same spirit of independence. This year, our "New Year" isn't just about a change in the calendar; it’s about being Rooted in Culture.

As we jump into the start of the new year, I’m inviting you to move with intention. To write the notes that matter. To celebrate the heritage that made us. And to remember that like the ingredients in a pot of soup, we are stronger when we are united.

Happy New Year. Happy Independence Day.