Joumou

Soup Joumou is a delicious, aromatic, rich and hearty pumpkin soup native to Haitian cuisine.

Enslaved Haitians were not allowed to have this delicious and aromatic pumpkin soup, a favorite of the French who held people in slavery. On Sunday, January 1, 1804, when the enslaved gained their freedom, they celebrated with music and food in the Place d’Armes, in the city of Gonaives. And what better way to celebrate than to eat the very thing they were unable to eat under slavery? Nowadays it doesn’t matter where in the world a Haitian might be on January 1—they will be having the soup of freedom.

Soup Joumou is now traditionally consumed on New Year’s Day (January 1), as a historical tribute to Haitian independence day in 1804.