The Revolutionary Roots of Haitian Soup Joumou

Every year on Haitian Independence Day, Haitians celebrate their ancestors’ hard won freedom from slavery and French colonial rule by making soup joumou. Join Tank Ball as she explores what it means to use food to preserve the memory of home, and how the ritual highlights the complexities of living in a country whose government has so frequently antagonized Haiti in its historical quest for freedom.

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In Ritual, Grammy-nominated musician Tank Ball journeys through the long-held rituals and traditions of the South. From the widely-shared to the deeply personal, rituals define a community's relationship between the past and present, and their resonance in the collective regional consciousness.


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[pbsvoices]

Ritual is Webby Nominated! Help us out with a vote!

[fhcnybb]

As a black american much love n respect to my haitian cousins, beautiful ppl & culture

[gwendolynmcwilliams]

Haitian should be respected for their sacrifices. Stay up, Haiti 🇭🇹 much respect and love to my HAITIAN BRITHERS AND SISTERS

[MechiePeach]

As an American of African descent, I am so proud of the people of Haiti and the rich African culture they preserved.

[nycg]

The original name of the island prior to Spanish colonization was “Ayti”, the name was given to the island by its original inhabitants the Tainos/Kalingo natives. After the revolution they basically gave their half of the island it’s original name back with a slightly different spelling.

[colourmegolden]

🎶PBS be in your DMs, saying you're pretty smart 🎶 🤎🤎🤎

[BattleOfBowties]

Her hair is stunning! I love this series.

[thecommunityofpeace]

Haiti liberated themselves! As an African American I say "ONE LOVE" to our Haitian brothers and sisters!

[NUFAN]

I'm the only one in my building that isn't from Haiti, they aren't my neighbors, they are my family. Beautiful people with a beautiful culture. You're blessed.

[planclops]

This whole episode makes me smile! I will have to share this with my students 😊

[erikadavis]

Tank is a teacher. An EXCELLENT teacher! I'm 53yrs and she renders me a child when she

[lisatorres]

I have a Haitian husband and I’ve learned to make this soup! I make it every year!!!! Love it!!!! HI MAGGIE ❤

[tampasfinest]

I would love for her to visit South Carolina the Gullah geechee people

[howardconyers]

Great job Tank, D Ray, LPB, and PBS. As former host and co-producer of PBS Nourish, this is a great series in the making.

[curtisthomas]

Fun fact: the first Haitian president and a leader in the revolution Henri Christophe as a kid served as a drummer boy in Les Chasseurs Volontaires a unit made of free Haitian blacks that was part of the French forces that fought alongside the Americans in the Siege of Savannah Georgia during the American Revolution. Their service is commemorated by a monument in the city.

[wynterginger]

I’m Louisiana creole and when I tell you I cannot wait to make this….. I mean… my heart is overflowing with unimaginable joy❤ Thank you so much for sharing!

[Imeraldgyrl]

Well now I know why I was taught to make large pots of Gumbo as well as Red Beans and Rice. Because you feed the community.

And let me say, this does look delicious.

[ladtmafanikio]

The hairstyles are absolutely African Royal! Ms Tank is beautiful!

[marih]

I've visited Haiti but never had this soup. I pray the nation will recover from it's current political instability so I can return and savor this intriguing dish. Thank you for this segment, it was very insightful!

[DDsAlchemy]

So lovely to see Haitian culture respected for the beautiful people that they are?