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Haitians begin Carnival celebration after confronting a hurricane, earthquake and political crisis.

Dressed as dragons, propping up stilts, and dancing in the streets, thousands of Haitians celebrated the opening of Carnival Sunday (February 19) in the commune of Jacmel. The town is located along the southern Haitian coast that was hit hard by Hurricane Matthew in October. Jacmel, a tourist town, was also hit hard by the massive earthquake that rocked the Caribbean nation in 2010. Since then, city officials have been striving to rebuild local tourism. Jacmel has a permanent population of more than 100,000. Haitians flock to the Carnival there.