The Creole Pig: Haiti's Great Loss

A documentary screening at the Little Haiti Cultural Complex explores a pivotal but often overlooked chapter in Haiti’s agricultural and cultural history. This event offers a deeper look into how the eradication of a native animal altered rural livelihoods and disrupted traditional farming systems.

The Creole Pig: Haiti’s Great Loss, screening Friday, May 9, examines the consequences of the 1980s extermination of the Creole pig, a hardy breed central to Haitian rural life. Through archival footage and firsthand accounts, the film details how the loss affected local economies, food systems and community identity. Once regarded as a form of savings and economic security for many Haitian families, the Creole pig's removal—part of a broader effort to contain disease—had lasting impacts that continue to shape the country’s agricultural landscape.

This screening is part of the Little Haiti Cultural Complex’s Haitian Heritage Month programming, which highlights stories of resilience, identity and cultural continuity. Audience members can expect an informative and reflective evening that encourages conversation about food sovereignty, development policy and the legacy of rural traditions.