Discovering Chansolme: This natural beauty and secluded town in northwest Haiti

PORT-DE-PAIX — Nestled in the super green valley at the bottom of the Haut-Piton chain, which extends from the northern massif, Chansolme s an intermediate town located between Port-de-Paix, the capital city of Haiti’s Northwest Department, and Bassin-Bleu, another northwest municipality near the Artibonite Department.

Chansolme, also known as Chansòl in Creole or Cold River historically, is a dynamic commune just seven miles from Port-de-Paix and on the main road to Port-au-Prince—about 135 miles south. Chansolme is known for its lively entertainment, music, festivals, waterfalls, and picturesque vegetation. It is also known for the rivers that cross it and the numerous water sources that serve the area, including Port-de-Paix.

Despite its natural beauty and attractiveness, and its rich historical, cultural, economic and tourist potential, Chansolme has been relatively disdained and neglected by Haiti’s authorities. It is deprived of the presence of most vital state institutions.

Following is a list of essential facts you need to know about Chansolme, one of the 10 communes of the Northwest Department and home to about 40,000 people:

Historical significance

The city owes its name to a family of shipowners from Nantes, France, the brothers Blaise Chanceaulme and Jean Chanceaulme, who settled their plantation there in the 18th century.

Chansolme has a deep historical background and played an important role in the Haitian Revolution. Numerous successful battles against French colonial rule took place in the area due to its strategic position close to the ports of Port-de-Paix, Fort-Liberté, and Cap-Haïtien, and at the foot of the northern mountain ranges near the fort Trois-Pavillons, leading to the Artibonite valley.

Even after Haiti’s independence, Chansolme continued to be the scene of political struggles among the elites. It was in Chansolme that General François Cappoix , nicknamed Capois-La-Mort (Capois Death in English), was assassinated on October 19, 1806, under the order of Henry Christophe.

Natural landscape and geography

According to the Haitian Institute of Statistics and Informatics (IHSI), Chansolme proper is about 21 square miles, of which 53% is rural, 45% is suburban, and 2% is urban. It is bordered to the north by Port-de-Paix and to the south by Bassin-Bleu. Its main localities include Ballade, Bélier, Blonnin, Fond Merle, Grande Paillette, La Brue, La Désir, La Visite, Nan Rosier, Richemond, Ti Paillette, Bonny, Champagne, Deux-Garçons, Mouyaka, Nan Richin, Roches-Contrées, and Ti Croix.

The town’s area is mainly hilly and has a cool climate. It is characterized by its mountainous terrain, including the Haut-Piton peak to the east of Port-de-Paix. The highest point of this mountain range has an altitude of over 3,881 feet.

The region is home to mangroves, two magnificent rivers—Petite Rivière and Trois Rivières, waterfalls, and over 30 water springs, providing eco-conscious inhabitants and visitors with the opportunity to engage in sustainable tourism activities.

Overt the year, the average temperature in Chansolme is about 80°F, and precipitation is on average 28 inches. It has two well-defined seasons: a rainy season from December to April where farmers grow many plants, especially in areas of cultivable land that have not been watered by canals, and an almost occasional dry spell throughout the rest of the year.

The vegetation of this region mainly consists of a dense environment of tropical trees. Although not classified as a forest, many trees provide shade for growing coffee and cocoa.

Cultural diversity

Chansolme is home to a diverse population, including Afro-Haitians and remnants of the indigenous Taino people, inhabitants of the areas before the arrival of Christopher Columbus in December 1492. This cultural diversity is reflected in local traditions, music, dance, and cuisine. The practice of Vodou, a syncretic religion combining African, Catholic and indigenous beliefs and traditions, is deeply rooted in the culture of Chansolme. The city hosts vibrant Vodou ceremonies and rituals, providing visitors with a unique spiritual experience.

Nearly ten churches of all beliefs have been inventoried in the commune. These confessions are predominantly Catholics, Episcopalians, Baptists and Adventists. Baptist churches account for 40% of the total.

Chansolme is also known for its lively festivals and celebrations, such as the annual feasts of Our Lady of Lourdes celebrated on February 11, and Zabette Source celebrated on July 14, bringing the community together and highlighting the town’s rich cultural heritage.

Agricultural abundance

Chansolme is renowned for its agricultural productivity. It has a mini-irrigation system originating from the Zabette spring, a major water source. Farmers depend on canals from the system and rainwater to produce various crops such as plantain, banana, beans, sugar cane, yams, beans, sweet potatoes, fruits, and all sorts of vegetables.

Chansolme’s economy is mainly based on agriculture, trade, and the exploitation of sand mines, rocks, and gravel, particularly in the rivers. The export of goods is possible via Port-de-Paix and Gonaïves because there is no port or airport in Chansolme.

Infrastructure and utilities

Crossed by National Road 5 linking Port-de-Paix and Gonaïves, Chansolme faces inadequacies in basic infrastructure, including notably transport, education, healthcare, and public services.

The Ministries of National Education, Youth, and Sports are not represented in the commune. At last count, there were 27 primary schools (preschool included) and a secondary school.

The commune does not have representation from Haiti’s Ministry of Public Health and Population (MSSP) either. There is a clinic and a dispensary along with the Notre Dame de Lourdes health center, the largest hospital in the town. A family physician, a dentist, and two assistant nurses provide healthcare there.

Besides the Municipal Palace, the city has a police station, a court of peace, a soccer field, a public market, and some nightclubs.

The town center is electrified, but the government-run electricity company (EDH) is poorly maintained and managed. Due to its dysfunction, the city is mostly in a blackout. As a result, people use different sources of energy, including kerosene gas lamps, solar-powered systems, and generators.

As for water availability, the two rivers and the many water sources serve the community. The Zabette and Moreau sources facilitate the National Directorate of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DINEPA) to establish distribution water points that supply a reservoir of 1000 cubic meters of water which supplies Port-de-Paix and its surroundings.

In the field of communications, access to mobile networks has increased since 2006 with the arrival of Digicel and then Natcom in 2011. At least 60% of the local population has access to a mobile phone.

A warm and hospitable community

One of the most memorable aspects of visiting Chansolme is the warm hospitality of its residents. Visitors are welcomed with open arms and can experience the true kindness and generosity of the locals, making their stay truly unforgettable.

It is recommended to visit the Grotto of Notre Dame Lourdes and the Chansolme waterfall, a point of attraction for visitors. This waterfall reveals the colors of the rainbow when the sun shines. Located not far from Chansolme Cathedral, this jewel is nestled in the heart of green nature. Several channels of meters long carry the water from this waterfall. Visiting it can take up to 30 minutes.

Naturally fresh and quiet, Chansolme is a hidden gem for visitors, as it remains largely unexplored due to the lack of direct flights and seaport access. Despite the low levels of infrastructural development, some see this as an advantage. The region remains spared from industrialization, preserving the abundant Haitian fauna and flora. Due to its relative isolation, the inhabitants have become very self-sufficient.

         Sources:

             Fandom | Haiti Local: https://haiti.fandom.com/wiki/Chansolme

             Haitian Institute of Statistics and Information (IHSI)

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Discovering Chansolme: This natural beauty and secluded town in northwest Haiti was first posted on July 25, 2024 at 1:40 pm.