Overview:
Haiti has officially submitted its traditional “trase vèvè” practice—symbolic ritual drawings used in Vodou ceremonies—for inclusion on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list. The move aims to secure international recognition for the ancestral art form, already listed in Haiti’s national cultural registry, and highlights ongoing efforts to promote Haitian cultural heritage globally.
NEW YORK — Haiti has formally submitted its traditional Vodou practice “Savoir-faire du Tracé-Vèvè” to UNESCO for possible inclusion on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The application, officials announced March 26, is led by the Ministry of Culture and Communication in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Haiti’s permanent delegation to UNESCO. It marks a key step in seeking international recognition for one of the country’s most enduring cultural expressions.
The “Savoir-faire du Tracé-Vèvè d’Haïti” refers to intricate, symbolic drawings created on the ground during Vodou ceremonies that represent spiritual entities and guide ritual practices. Passed down through generations, the designs carry layers of meaning tied to memory, identity and belief systems within Haitian culture.
Milokan Vèvè projected on the first floor of the two-story “Byenveni” exhibit honoring the legacy of Haiti at the CCCADI Firehouse in Harlem on Thursday, February 15, 2024. Photo by Macollvie J. Neel / The Haitian Times
Officials say the submission builds on the practice’s inclusion in Haiti’s national inventory of intangible cultural heritage in 2019, updated in 2025 and reflects broader efforts to promote Haitian culture on the global stage.
A pair of earrings made of wood with a yellow vèvè representing the “loa Grann Brigitte” by Atelier Scheilt Création. Courtesy photo
The government described the move as part of its cultural diplomacy strategy, aimed at strengthening Haiti’s presence in international institutions while highlighting the role of traditional knowledge in shaping national identity.
If approved, the recognition would place Haiti’s vèvè tradition alongside other globally recognized cultural practices and could support preservation efforts and wider visibility for Haitian heritage.
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