Abstract
A growing number of heritage studies scholars critique top-down approaches to cultural sites of global significance. International and state organizations, they explain, eschew locals’ concerns. We consider the Parc National Historique, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Haiti, Milot. Writers have produced a history that is hierarchical and nationalistic in ideological tone, which policy makers circulate when promoting the Parc. In so doing, they elide the past roles and present-day concerns of Milot’s residents, who have lived in these structures’ shadows for generations. To access them, our ethnographic work documents a vernacular culture-history, which shares common ground with official interests and departs in important ways. Incongruities in practice and discourse stem from locals’ understanding of heritage (eritaj) and experiences of instability (enstabilite). The validation of vernacular concerns makes for a comprehensive understanding of the past. It may also create collaborative opportunities between the community and national (or international) organizations, which can safeguard Haitian patrimony and alleviate socio-economic instabilities.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Journal | Journal of Social Archaeology |
| DOIs | |
| State | Accepted/In press - Jan 1 2019 |
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Keywords
- Ethnography
- Haiti
- heritage and patrimony
- nationalism
- vernacular culture
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous)
- Archaeology
Cite this
In the shadow of the Citadel : Haitian national patrimony and vernacular concerns. / Geller, Pamela L.; Marcelin, Louis Herns.
In: Journal of Social Archaeology, 01.01.2019.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
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TY - JOUR
T1 - In the shadow of the Citadel
T2 - Haitian national patrimony and vernacular concerns
AU - Geller, Pamela L.
AU - Marcelin, Louis Herns
PY - 2019/1/1
Y1 - 2019/1/1
N2 - A growing number of heritage studies scholars critique top-down approaches to cultural sites of global significance. International and state organizations, they explain, eschew locals’ concerns. We consider the Parc National Historique, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Haiti, Milot. Writers have produced a history that is hierarchical and nationalistic in ideological tone, which policy makers circulate when promoting the Parc. In so doing, they elide the past roles and present-day concerns of Milot’s residents, who have lived in these structures’ shadows for generations. To access them, our ethnographic work documents a vernacular culture-history, which shares common ground with official interests and departs in important ways. Incongruities in practice and discourse stem from locals’ understanding of heritage (eritaj) and experiences of instability (enstabilite). The validation of vernacular concerns makes for a comprehensive understanding of the past. It may also create collaborative opportunities between the community and national (or international) organizations, which can safeguard Haitian patrimony and alleviate socio-economic instabilities.
AB - A growing number of heritage studies scholars critique top-down approaches to cultural sites of global significance. International and state organizations, they explain, eschew locals’ concerns. We consider the Parc National Historique, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Haiti, Milot. Writers have produced a history that is hierarchical and nationalistic in ideological tone, which policy makers circulate when promoting the Parc. In so doing, they elide the past roles and present-day concerns of Milot’s residents, who have lived in these structures’ shadows for generations. To access them, our ethnographic work documents a vernacular culture-history, which shares common ground with official interests and departs in important ways. Incongruities in practice and discourse stem from locals’ understanding of heritage (eritaj) and experiences of instability (enstabilite). The validation of vernacular concerns makes for a comprehensive understanding of the past. It may also create collaborative opportunities between the community and national (or international) organizations, which can safeguard Haitian patrimony and alleviate socio-economic instabilities.
KW - Ethnography
KW - Haiti
KW - heritage and patrimony
KW - nationalism
KW - vernacular culture
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U2 - 10.1177/1469605319883483
DO - 10.1177/1469605319883483
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85075029517
JO - Journal of Social Archaeology
JF - Journal of Social Archaeology
SN - 1469-6053
ER -