thomas freteur

Photographer / Videographer

www.thomasfreteur.com

Le Tombeau

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Location: Kinshasa

Nationality: Belgian

Biography: Years ago, Thomas received from his Grand-Pa the Hasselblad that he had kept through out his photographer career, stretching back to the early 50’s. Was it this Hasselblad, more than his diploma in social media, that convinced Thomas he had... MORE

Kabare, Haiti - In a field of L...nal rest of their beloved ones

Kabare, Haiti - In a field of Leogan area stands a family vault of the Haitian diaspora. Many of the families living abroad, buy land in order to ensure a return to their land and the eternal rest of their beloved ones

Kabare, Haiti - Â« Far away? It...for their grandchildren!"

Kabare, Haiti - Â« Far away? It's just nearby that we want to bury our deads. It's Mom and Dad, I do not want to travel kilometers to visit them. And besides, there, they are pretty close for their grandchildren!"

Combo Saline, Haiti - Louloue (...nd that s why we do ourselves.

Combo Saline, Haiti - Louloue (32)
Who is buried in this grave?
Chantale, Ti Ben and my niece.
Why do you like to rest there?
I am going there to think and do the laundry. The State does not provide behind that s why we do ourselves.

Fondwa, Haiti. There is often a...is part of the Haitian society

Fondwa, Haiti. There is often a cross next to the vault, itâ€™s the Voodoo spirit Â«BaronÂ», guardian of the dead. But it is also because of a mixture of spiritualities (Voodoo, Christian, etc.) which is part of the Haitian society

Aquin, Haiti - Atilise (56) &am...ean-Claude made it 7 years ago

Aquin, Haiti - Atilise (56)
Who is buried in this grave? My son and daughter Vanelle are already there.
Why do you like to rest there?
I am going there to think about myself and talk with my kids.
Who designed this monument?
Boss Jean-Claude made it 7 years ago

Corridor, Haiti - Lovenson Dona...gned this monument? Boss Enock

Corridor, Haiti - Lovenson Donald (22)
Who is resting in this grave? My mom and my grandmother.
Why do you like to rest there?
I do have my own reasons. Who designed this monument? Boss Enock

Fondwa, Haiti. "That grave...iate the view."

Fondwa, Haiti. "That grave has been built long time ago. Even before the road exists! My great-grandparents are resting there. Everybody enjoys to sit on it and appreciate the view."

Baobe, Haiti - Micheline (46), ...s (my vault, I love it!)"

Baobe, Haiti - Micheline (46), Francia (21), AmÃ©dÃ© (26)
Who is buried in this grave?
Grandfather, three woman and a boy.
Why do you like to rest there?
We sit there during the heat and we enjoy the freshness. Who designed this monument?
Boss Gela in 1991.

"Kavo mwe, mâ€™rems (my vault, I love it!)"

Kabare, Haiti - Rosemaid Joinvi...nd keep them in a gallon."

Kabare, Haiti - Rosemaid Joinville (56)
"When there are too many bodies in the family vault, you can remove the bones but you have to clean them and keep them in a gallon."

Grand Chemin section, Leogan, H...e here together and play cards.

Grand Chemin section, Leogan, Haiti - Naika (18), Darlene (19), Dana (20) - We pretty enjoy to come here together and play cards.

Aquin, Haiti - Thomas Bressier ...he family bricklayer) in 2010.

Aquin, Haiti - Thomas Bressier (42), Delima Bressier (33) Who is buried in this grave?
My grandfather, my grandmother and my aunt.
Why do you like to rest there?
We just appreciate to stay up there.
Who designed that monument?
Boss Solide (the family bricklayer) in 2010.

Aquin, Haiti - Madam Exel (58)&...ill be there as soon as I die!

Aquin, Haiti - Madam Exel (58)
Who is resting in this grave?
There is no one but I will be there as soon as I die!

Corridor, Haiti - Guito Casamaj...er Joseph who drew it in 2004.

Corridor, Haiti - Guito Casamajor (40), Carmen Casamajor (59)
Who is resting in this grave?
My mom, my little sister and my daughter.
Why do you like to rest there?
In order to think and speak with the dead...
Who designed this monument?
It was my husband Roger Joseph who drew it in 2004.

Haiti - In a field of Leogan ar...rnal rest of their beloved ones

Haiti - In a field of Leogan area stands a family vault of the Haitian diaspora. Many of the families living abroad, buy land in order to ensure a return to their land and the eternal rest of their beloved ones

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Thumbnail of Kabare, Haiti - In a field of Le_rnal rest of their beloved ones

Thumbnail of Kabare, Haiti - Â« Far away? It&_ for their grandchildren!"

Thumbnail of Combo Saline, Haiti - Louloue (3_ind that s why we do ourselves.

Thumbnail of Fondwa, Haiti. There is often a _ is part of the Haitian society

Thumbnail of Aquin, Haiti - Atilise (56) &_Jean-Claude made it 7 years ago

Thumbnail of Corridor, Haiti - Lovenson Donal_igned this monument? Boss Enock

Thumbnail of Fondwa, Haiti. "That grave _ciate the view."

Thumbnail of Baobe, Haiti - Micheline (46), F_ms (my vault, I love it!)"

Thumbnail of Kabare, Haiti - Rosemaid Joinvil_and keep them in a gallon."

Thumbnail of Grand Chemin section, Leogan, Ha_me here together and play cards.

Thumbnail of Aquin, Haiti - Thomas Bressier (_the family bricklayer) in 2010.

Thumbnail of Aquin, Haiti - Madam Exel (58)&a_will be there as soon as I die!

Thumbnail of Corridor, Haiti - Guito Casamajo_ger Joseph who drew it in 2004.

Thumbnail of Haiti - In a field of Leogan are_ernal rest of their beloved ones

Private Story

Le Tombeau

Copyright thomas freteur 2024

Updated May 2017

Location Haiti

Topics Beauty, Celebrations, Community, Documentary, Editorial, Faith, Family, Film, Fine Art, Human Rights, Landscape, Photography, Photojournalism, Portraiture, Poverty, Religion, Travel

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Le tombeau

Along every road and every path in the Haitian countryside, there are all kinds of houses with graves in their front yard. These constructions that preciously contain dead relatives are considered like sacred monuments but they are also part of a family's daily life. Compared to the West, the relationship Haitians have with death is easy and simple. It's only God's will! So far, no one seems afraid to lay on the grave and have a quick chat with their loved ones in the hereafter...

No matter the wealth of the family, a tombstone will stand in their yard.