#55 - Saut-Mathurine: The Highest Waterfalls in the Country
Discovering Saut-Mathurine, master photographers train the next generation, Yani Martelly throws water, theater about childhood on the streets, Oloffson Hotel burning, and Pacot on the front line
Welcome to the base of the majestic Saut-Mathurine Falls, the tallest in Haiti. All this and more in issue #55 of HAITI WEEKLY by DÈYÈ MÒN ENFO.
Editor's note: We are pleased to announce the addition of a new team member. Steeven Andris, who is based in Jacmel, is joining us as an online community manager. He will help strengthen the social media presence of DÈYÈ MÒN ENFO and HAÏTI MAGAZINE. Welcome to the team, Steevy!
Summary #55
Discovering Saut-Mathurine
When Master Photographers Train the Next Generation in the South
Music Video of the Week: Voye Dlo by Yani Martelly
The Reality of Street Children, at the Theater in Jacmel
Fire at the Oloffson Hotel: the End of a Symbol
The Front Lines of Resistance in Pacot and Kenscoff
Press Reviews
Discovering Saut-Mathurine
Although all regions of Haiti are full of impressive waterfalls, none can match the power of Saut-Mathurine Falls, the country’s highest. Located in Camp-Perrin (South), the falls reach a height of 27 meters (89 feet). A series of pools and waterfalls precede them, offering an unforgettable natural spectacle.
The flow rate of the waterfall varies depending on rainfall and the operation of the hydroelectric dam located upstream. During rainy weather, the water sometimes spreads out over several meters.
This crystal-clear water is perfect for swimming. Like many other springs across the country, this site is steeped in voodoo practices and serves as a place of worship and relaxation.
When Master Photographers Train the Next Generation in the South
For six weeks, our director of photography, Jean Elie Fortiné, participated in an intensive training course in Les Cayes alongside 13 photographers from the Grand Sud and Port-au-Prince. The course was led by three giants of Haitian photography: Pierre Michel Jean, Josué Azor, and Réginald “Ray Pa Klè” Louissaint of the KD2 collective.
Participants crisscrossed the region with their mentors, refining their vision and perfecting their craft, from Île-à-Vache to Saut-Mathurine via the Cayes Botanical Garden.
The Port-au-Prince Centre d’Art organized this training program, which enabled experienced photographers to deepen their knowledge in an atmosphere of sharing and creativity.
Music Video of the Week
Voye dlo - Yani Martelly feat. Tonymix, Florence El Luche & Isemylee
Six years after the huge success of Gen Bagay, Yani Martelly is back with Voye dlo, which is already proving to be the hit of the 2025 summer 2025 in Haiti.
This light and catchy track is taking over the streets, public transportation, grocery stores, and DJ parties. Martelly, the son of former president and singer Michel Martelly, has teamed up with two singers, Florence El Luche and Isemylee, as well as popular producer TonyMix.
“Tomorrow is a day off, tonight is a sleepless “night”[in English],” he announces at the beginning of the song, before launching into a chorus full of double entendres mixing sensual allusions with summer euphoria. “I'm going to throw water, I'm going to splash water, then we'll go swimming.”
The Reality of Street Children, at the Theater in Jacmel
In anticipation of its first edition, the Festival des Îles qui Marchent (July 19-20) presented the play Le bal de l’incontinence, directed by Ar Guens Jean Mary, at the Alliance Française in Jacmel in June.
Djevens Fransaint’s text tells the story of a family whose daughter befriends a young man living on the streets. Though initially suspicious, the mother eventually accepts the friendship and gradually integrates the boy into family life.
However, the father is fiercely opposed to it. He locks his daughter in the house to prevent her from going out, which plunges the family into a dramatic spiral that leads to a tragic end.
With sensitivity and dramatic tension, the play explores how marginalized children are viewed. A large portion of Jacmel’s theater community—including actors, technicians, and volunteers—mobilized to bring this powerful text to the stage.
Fire at the Oloffson Hotel: the End of a Symbol
Members of our team collaborated with the British daily newspaper The Guardian to pay tribute to the Oloffson Hotel. The hotel burned down in early July amid a conflict zone between Bas-Peu-de-Chose and Carrefour-Feuilles, just a stone's throw from Pacot.
The Oloffson, a legendary venue in Haitian cultural life, has now become a symbol of a capital city torn apart by armed conflict, where cultural landmarks are crumbling one by one.
The Front Lines of Resistance in Pacot and Kenscoff
After our office in Port-au-Prince was hastily closed due to armed violence three months ago, we were able to return last week. The resumption of regional flights also allowed us to repatriate part of our team that had been stranded in Jacmel.
Resistance groups have grown stronger in recent weeks in the Pacot neighborhood and surrounding areas. According to our sources, donations of weapons and money have bolstered local defense capabilities.
Al Jazeera Live News with Imran Khan, Al Jazeera, June 28, 2025
Last Tuesday, armed criminal groups took over the Prince Hotel and its surroundings. Despite interventions by the police and self-defense brigades, this area is reportedly still in their hands.
24/60 with Madeleine Blais-Morin, RDI, July 3, 2025
On Saturday, armed men fired shots on Babiole Street and fled, pursued by members of the brigades and the police. Dozens of shots were fired. An elderly person died in an inner courtyard where the attackers had taken refuge. Three other people are reportedly missing and possibly kidnapped.
Early Monday morning, a dozen drones exploded over the capital, shaking the entire city.
Fighting continues further up the mountain in Kenscoff and Furcy. A recent counteroffensive by Haitian forces reportedly allowed them to regain ground for the first time by using a helicopter in a security operation. However, the situation remains unclear, and it is uncertain which areas are actually controlled by the authorities outside the center of the commune.
At A Glance: Tropicana at a Country Fair
The legendary Orchestre Tropicana d'Haïti performed at an intimate country festival in the north. Our colleague, Ketlain Difficile, was there and captured this warm musical moment.
DÈYÈ MÒN ENFO’s team
Photojournalists: Francillon Laguerre, Sonson Thelusma, Andoo Lafond, Milot Andris, Patrick Payin, Steevy Andris, Ketlain Difficile
Community manager: Steven Andris
Editorial board: Etienne Côté-Paluck, Jean Elie Fortiné, Jean-Paul Saint-Fleur
Interns: Wilky Andris, Donley Jean Simon
Special collaboration: Stéphanie Tourillon-Gingras, Mateo Fortin Lubin
Media partners: Centre à la Une, J-COM, Nord-Est Info
Institutional partners: Kay Fanm, Mouka.ht
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Press Reviews
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