Maurice Alfrédo Sixto

Maurice Alfrédo Sixto (May 23, 1919, Gonaïves, Haiti – May 12, 1984, Philadelphia, USA) was a professor, a translator, tour guide and ambassador. He was a great-grandson of Baron de Vastey, a nobleman in King Henri Christophe’s kingdom, and during his lifetime, he produced a string of spoken word recordings in his trademark resonant voice that would earn him the reputation of the country’s foremost original storyteller.

The son of an engineer, Maurice Alfredo Sixto and Maria Bourand, he attended St Louis de Gonzague for his secondary studies; upon graduation he attended l’Academie Militaire where he remained for only three months. He eventually studied at the Faculte de Droit from 1948–1945 while working for Radio HHBM (now MBC).

Sixto prefaces every story with regards sur choses et gens entendu

He was the special guest of Jackie Kennedy O’Nassis for a governmental fundraising dinner in the 1970’s, among other honors, including the Medal of Honor from the Haitian government. During his lifetime, Sixto would have many careers, as a radio announcer, an ambassador, as a public relations agent, and at one point he taught English, Latin and French in Africa, mainly in Congo, formerly known as Zaire—during a nearly decade-long stay in Africa. He also lived in Paris in the 1960s.

In later years, Sixto was recognized as an advocate of the Kreyòl language, and an ardent opponent of Haiti’s child slave system. He will be remembered in Haitian culture for his contributions to oral literature. His ability to use rich, descriptive, and iconic Haitian Creole create a narrative that displays the true face of Haitian culture.

Sixto prefaces every story with regards sur choses et gens entendu (Regarding things and People Heard).

Sixto died of a heart attack after he suffered a fire in 1984 while living in the United States (Philadelphia), after delighting fans for decades with his slices of Haitian life. He had been blind since the 1950s, and was survived by his wife Marie Thérèse Torchon.