Dutty Boukman

Dutty Boukman is a historical character of Haiti.

Biography

He was born with the Jamaica. Slave of the Turpin dwelling in the plain of the Northern of Santo Domingo, it was a " hougan" , i.e. a priest of the new religion Voodoo developed starting from the beliefs of the various areas of Africa of the West from which the slaves came. It was of a high size and of a physical force such as its Master had named it commander (i.e. foreman), then to notch - positions of trust.

In the night of August 14th, 1791, with the Wood-Caiman, moved back place of the dwelling Lenormand de Mézy, it organized a ceremony Vaudou for a great number of slaves. A black pig was sacrificed and the assistants drank his blood in order to become invulnerable. Boukman ordered general rising then.

This one took place the night of August 22nd. The slaves of five dwellings burned them and massacred the white, including women and children. During ten days, the plain of North was in flames. One deducted nearly 1000 assassinated white, 161 burned sugar refineries and 1200 coffee-plantations. Boukman pushed until advancing in front of the Cape-French. It is only whereas the authorities counteracted. Boukman perishes with the combat, with the head of its troops.

As it passed for invulnerable near the slaves, one exposed his head to the Cape.

In spite of the response, this revolt of slaves was not overcome. Other chiefs succeeded Boukman: its lieutenants Jean-François and Biassou, as All Saints' day which was not called yet Louverture.

External bonds

The Louverture Project: Boukman (English)

Random links: