One year after the Treaty of Ryswick, the French formally settle the city through La Compagnie de St-Domingue.

Like many of the actual departments in Haiti, by 1791, the different social classes of St-Domingue started rebelling against the status quo.

The enslaved under the leadership of Romaine-La-Prophétesse, a mulatto coffee plantation owner, asked for the abolition of slavery and liberty for all.

During the Haitian-Civil war opposing King Henry 1st and President Pétion, the South-East was part of the republic.

During that period the Jacmel received the South American Liberator Simon Bolivar, providing him shelter, merchandise, guns, and soldiers.

The department knew a great financial time at the beginning of the 20th century with the exportation of coffee, resulting in Jacmel's unique architecture and culture.

With a sizable port like Jacmel and direct access to the Dominican Republic, the S_E has great potential for economic development, especially in tourism and arts.

The civil authorities organize it in order to promote Haitian culture which is closely linked to that of southern Africa.

During this festival, the musical groups of Haiti meet in Jacmel and its surroundings for concerts which are called in Haitian Creole "ball".