The Story of Maroule in Haiti
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I am going to try to do my best telling the real story of Maroule in Haiti. I am not in any way stating that I know all about Maroule.
From what I understand, Maroules are people who travel with caws from the country side to sometime Port-au-Prince, but often all the way to the border between Haiti and the Dominican Republic to sell their cows to the highest bidder. These people travel exclusively by foot to a distance ranging anywhere from 70 to 160 miles before arriving to their destination. They came from various places in the South of Haiti.
This story was told to me by Mr. Ben who his a 74 year old Haitian. Mr. Ben live in Port-au-Prince over 60 years and know very well the story of Maroule.
According to Mr. Ben, the Maroules are usually between two and three people who usually travel with anywhere from 20 to thirty caws in order to sell them. The travel is usually done at night between 9:00pm and 5:00am in order to avoid day traffic. The cows are usually spread the entire road, with usually two people in front, leading the animals while the other cows follow their lead. Since the travel takes place at night, and there are no street lights to help with all these cows, the lead persons are obligated to carry light generated from gas lamps on each side of the road. The light also serves to caution oncoming vehicles of the presence of caws on the road.
Due to high level of traffic during the day, Maroules do not travel during the day, they use the time to rest and to let the caws eat in nearby plantations.
Some people think the Maroules are not ordinary people. Many think they possess some supernatural capacity that they are able to display during the night.
What do you think about "Maroule" in Haiti"?
Do you think these people are just trying to earn a living in the worst possible situation in Haiti?
Do you think they are associated with "Sanpwel" or "Zobop" groups?
