The people of Cotes-de-Fer
Côtes-de-Fer (Kreyol: Kòt Defè) is a commune in the Bainet Arrondissement, in the Southeast department of Haiti. It is also the Southeast Department's westernmost commune. As of the 2015 census, the commune's population was 49,037 inhabitants. Côtes-de-Fer lies on the southeastern coastal section of the Tiburon Peninsula, fronting the Caribbean Sea.
The region's inhabitants make their living from fishing, planting and crafts. The town is famous for fishing and depending on the season, fish, conch, and lobsters can be found in quantities not only to feed the population, but to be sold to neighboring towns. Fruits and vegetables have the posibility to grow in abundance, but due to lack of irrigation, production is not at the level it should be. Corn, petit mille, potato, banana, peas, cassava and yam to sweet corossole (Soursop), cachiment (Guanabana), papaya, mango, sapodilla, and grenadine are some of the common crops found in the region. Pitre (Sisal) can be found in large quantities and is the only export of the region to foreign countries.
Life is slow in remote Côtes-de Fer, in Haiti’s southeastern coast. Most people live below the international poverty line (just US$1.90 per day), and post-earthquake, international development activities bypassed the area. Malnutrition and food insecurity are widespread as a result of the lack of water and poverty. Maternal, neonatal, and under-five mortality rates are high; Prior to having our very first hospital in the region few babies are delivered in health facilities, which increases mother child mortality rate.
Poem written by Mr. Eneil Norame a native of Cotes-de-Fer.
COTES-DE-FER
CDF se bel vag lanme ble Lanme dezanti kap karese
Epi mouye bel resif chale soley la limen sou lev nou.
CDF se tet mon jaden kafe, pitimi ak pwa kongo
kap boujonnen lespwa
Chase lanmize pou peyizan desann nan bouk al layite danre nan mache.
CDF se wout Kalfou 44 ak lavale jakmel Ki mache kontre. Se sous ak larive yo ki desann al jeté nan lanme.
DCF se bonjou konpe makome, Kouzen Kouzin, zanmitay ak kokoday tradisyon ki mare zantray nou ak ospitalite n
Pou le yo di lone nou reponn ak respe…
Se sos pwason ak bannann bouyi, Pitimi pile sos pwa kongo
mayi moulen sos pwa nwa kabrit boukanenn,
Tas kafe ak pen le maten le nou sot bat seren nan jaden Cotes-de-fer le lanmou
Ki makonnen kod lonbrik nou ki kite gou l sou bouch rev nou
CDF se Haiti kote gason ak fanm vanyan fe lanmou souri pou makiye soufrans.
Peyi kote gason file fanm pase zegwi
Se peyi fanm kote fanm ak lalin se marasa
CDF se peyi m, se lakay mwen.
Cotes-de-fer se mwen menm ave w…
Mwen ave w Ki tonbe damou
Eneil Norame
What you can do in CDF!
Soccer, the national sport, is practiced throughout the town by the youths. Should you happen to go to Côtes-de-Fer at the time of the championships, you see how vibrant this city is. Other means of entertainment include the gaguères, cinemas , resorts, local festivals, beautiful beaches, fishing, hiking and much moore.
Snorkeling
Beautiful white sandy beaches and scenery
The village icon
People also love the feast of their patron saint, St-Joseph, celebrated on March 19th; it is an opportunity for them to meet with friends and attend all kinds of cultural, artistic and sports activities. Most of Cotes-de-Fer natives living abroad usually come home back home for this festivity. Although it is a festivity in celebration of a Patron Saint, it is more of a local tradition that goes back for hundreds of years. The Cotes-de-Fer have a real attachment to their region.