Throughout the history of infant traditions, games have been the dominant aspect of a Haitian’s childhood. In Haitian culture, electronics are not at all considered when thinking of fun and creative things to play with. Having fun as a child is strongly encouraged in my community. Playing games such as “cache-cache,” “osselets,” and “saut à la corde,” (hide and seek, knucklebones, and jump rope) is seen as taking advantage of your childhood. There’s the good social aspect of it all, as well as the active part that gets you moving. Folk tales called “Bouki et Malice” are often told by adults to the children to crack some jokes and have a great laugh during the long nights of nothingness. It always has to start with “Cric Crac,” or else it’s not a Haitian folk tale! This entertainment helps cultivate the Haitian culture and bring children closer to their motherland.

Out in the countryside, many kids are getting the opportunity to understand the Haitian traditions that have been passed down from their ancestors, fraternize with each other, and develop the important features of working in teams. Right now, this heritage is dying out because of the popularization of technology and other means of having “fun,” but children in Haiti are still being encouraged as much as possible to play these games, interact with their ancestral heritage, and learn a thing or two about this vast and exotic culture. Having fun while you are still able is an important part of the development of a child, and Haiti gives that specific liberty and support to its children by passing down its native enjoyments and making the most of the time there is left in this world.