The Story Behind Soup Joumou

Haiti’s fight for independence began in the late 18th century and culminated on January 1, 1804, when the country declared itself free from French colonial rule, becoming the first Black republic in the world. Before independence, enslaved Africans and the lower classes were forbidden from eating joumou (pumpkin or squash soup), a dish reserved for the French colonizers.

After independence was won, Haitians reclaimed the soup, transforming it into a powerful symbol of freedom and equality. Ever since, soup joumou has been an integral part of New Year’s Day celebrations, embodying the joy of liberation and the unity of a nation that overcame unimaginable odds.