Port-au-Prince, le 11 décembre 2025.- Invité de Magik 9 ce jeudi 11 décembre, l’ancien ministre de la Culture Pradel Henriquez a rappelé que l’Organisation des Nations Unies pour l’Éducation, la Science et la Culture (UNESCO) n’a pas reconnu le compas direct de Nemours Jean-Baptiste, un label protégé par droit d’auteur, mais bien le compas d’Haïti dans sa globalité. Il a retracé le processus national engagé depuis 2020, notamment la création du « Mois du compas « , et souligné le rôle central des fonctionnaires du ministère dans le montage et la défense des dossiers de patrimoine immatériel.
The recognized compass: a distinction that concerns the "compass of Haiti"
Pradel Henriquez a tenu à dissiper un malentendu majeur : ce n’est pas le compas direct qui figure sur la liste du patrimoine immatériel de l’humanité. Le label « compas direct « , créé par Nemours Jean-Baptiste, est protégé aux États-Unis, ce qui empêche l’État haïtien de l’utiliser officiellement dans un processus international.
Pour contourner cet obstacle juridique, le ministère a construit la notion de « compas d’Haïti « , qui englobe le compas direct et toutes ses évolutions : compas mamba, compas créole, compas grouillade, et autres déclinaisons issues de cette tradition musicale.
A national process launched in 2020
L’ancien ministre a expliqué que la reconnaissance internationale exige d’abord une reconnaissance nationale. Dès mars 2020, en pleine pandémie, le ministère a instauré le « Mois du compas « , destiné à mobiliser les communautés autour de ce patrimoine et à préparer la candidature.
The activities were connected to two symbolic dates:
- 21 June: Music Festival;
- 26 July: Compas Day, celebrating the creation of the genre by Nemours Jean-Baptiste.
These initiatives were complemented by debates, cultural activities and major musical events with various cultural actors.
UNESCO and OIF, key partners in heritage policy
According to Henriquez, the compass file was part of a comprehensive strategy of the ministry to submit several elements of Haitian heritage to international bodies. In this dynamic, at least seven elements were worn: joumou soup, kassav, rara, cut metal, Jacmel carnival and papier-maché, clerines of Haiti, as well as compass.
He recalled that the recognition of intangible heritage is based on a constant partnership with UNESCO and the International Organisation of la Francophonie (OIF).
A sustained tribute to departmental officials
The former minister stressed the decisive role of the officials of the Ministry of Culture, often forgotten at official celebrations. He cited several officers and directors who wrote, monitored and finalized files, often under pressure and discretion.
He illustrated these difficulties with the anecdote of the Soup joumou, whose national recognition was signed in extremis in December 2021, after the dossier had been found and printed urgently.
The Ministry, a central player in musical evolution
Henriquez also recalled that the Ministry of Culture has played and must continue to play a crucial role in the development of Haitian music, citing in particular the institutional support provided once to major groups such as Carimi or Passion de Montréal as part of the Festi-Été festival.
W. A.
