In Haiti the practice of gathering a cooperative work group to lighten the load associated with mundane or ambitious projects is called Combite. Spellings and examples vary. Kombit and Konbit are equally correct, as are Combite and Coumbite.  Efforts range from crop planting to garden tending, to harvest gathering.  Road improvements, cassava grating, land conservation, and home building are accomplished through Combite. In many cases, the group also shares a meal.  Singing, dancing and humor accompany the work. The practice of Combite grew out of necessity as Haitians who won freedom from slavery started with nothing and worked together to survive and continues today informally in communities large and small across Haiti. 

This powerful Haitian tradition rooted in the country’s longstanding commitment to mutual aid and solidarity contributes to the participants’ well being and builds a spirit of community and unity through shared achievement.

This exhibition is organized and presented by the Waterloo Center for the Arts, drawing on its holdings which include more than 2,000 Haitian art objects. Established in 1977, the collection is recognized as the largest publicly held collection of Haitian art in the nation. The Center strives to share its collection locally, regionally, nationally and internationally to further appreciation and understanding of Haitian culture. Find out more at www.waterloocenterforthearts.org.