Piscataway High School students got to enjoy a delicious tradition Haitian soup to help kick off Black History Month!

PHS parent Ninette Diogene taught students about soup joumou and its significance in Haitian culture during a visit on Jan. 29. Ms. Diogene explained that for Haitians, soup joumou is synonymous with freedom. During French colonial rule of Haiti, enslaved Africans were forced by their oppressors to cultivate squash for this dish but were not allowed to eat it. So when Haitians won their independence on Jan. 1, 1804, they ate soup joumou to celebrate. The tradition continues around the world wherever there are Haitian communities.

She brought enough for students to enjoy, along with a vegan and gluten-free options, in addition to a traditional hot hibiscus, mint, ginger tea – a perfect presentation for a frigid midwinter morning.