My Top 11 Favorite Ingredients in Soup Joumou
Happy Haitian Independence Day!
Across the world Haitians are celebrating this monumental, revolutionary day with a warm, delectable bowl of, SOUP JOUMOU (pumpkin soup)! Y’all if you have access to a bowl of soup joumou, do yourself a favor… and go get it. Like, right now! :) Not only is this bowl a culinary masterpiece (when done right), but it also stands as one of our most symbolic reminders of our ancestors’ struggles and ultimate victory against slavery.
Now, the specific ingredients vary from family to family, but the soul of this soup remains. Today, I wanted to highlight my TOP 11 favorite ingredients in soup joumou and why. Each ingredient reminds me of who we are, where we’ve been, and where we are going. Check it out!
My Top 11 Favorite Ingredients in Soup Joumou
Beef
We had “beef” with France but then we settled it on the field. On January 1st, 1804, after beating the 3 major world powers, Haiti became the First Free Black Republic in the World! It was the first and last time in human history a nation was formed after a successful slave revolt.
Squash
We “squashed” slavery. The Haitian Revolution was the beginning of the end of the transatlantic slave trade. Three years after our independence, the transatlantic slave trade was abolished in Britian… other countries quickly began to follow suit. Haiti’s successful slave revolt was the impetus for monumental policy change across the globe.
Cabbage
We were “a head” of our time. Haiti shattered the world’s understanding of liberty and freedom. Although powerful documents existed that proclaimed “all men are created equal” and “men are born and remain free and equal in rights”, none drew the natural conclusion that slavery was a gross violation of basic human rights…until the Haitian Revolution.
Turnip
We knew how to “turnip” (we still do)! When Haitians gained their independence they celebrated across the entire nation. At the heart of the celebration was soup joumou, our pumpkin soup. Slaves were not allowed to drink the soup, it was a delicacy reserved for French slave masters. When Haitians won the revolution, they reclaimed the soup and made it a symbol of their freedom and independence.
Carrots
We are deeply “rooted”. Haitian culture is unique, distinct, and deeply engrained in every Haitian. Start singing "Mizerikòd ou pap fini, Konpasyon Bondye pap fini…” and you’ll hear Haitians in Cap-Haitien, Miami, Montreal, and Paris, all respond “Li renouvle chak maten, chak maten!”
Potatoes
We are resilient and versatile. Whether mashed, boiled, baked, or fried, we take whatever is thrown our way and make beauty of the mess. Whether it be cholera, corruption, or inequality we refuse to allow anything or anyone detract from the essence and beauty of who we are.
Spices
We “spice” things up. Truly, our culture is flavorful! We have a beautiful native language, music that beats therapeutic rhythms throughout your whole body, a cuisine that is a masterful culinary explosion in your mouth. MEZANMI. When you get a taste of our culture, you won’t be able to get enough.
Scotch Bonnet Peppers
We bring the HEAT! We are a vibrant and colorful people who allow our bright personalities to shine everywhere we go. If you know a Haitian, you know what I’m talking about.
Noodles
We are diverse. We come in all shades, shapes, and sizes, unified by our distinct culture.
Yam
We are a proud people! Go into any room and ask “Who’s Haitian?!”. No matter where we are, we will proudly and loudly shout, I “YAM”, I “YAM”, I “YAM”!
Flour
With the right resources, in our due time, we rise.
To learn more about our RICH culture and history, check out this quick blog post I wrote: 5 Reasons Why You Should Care About Haiti’s Independence Day
Photo by: @istwaphotography