Dutty Boukman - Haiti Observer Blog

When a singular group of brave, pioneering Haitian men and women took part in a fight for their freedom in Haiti August 14 and 15 of 1791, they sparked a movement that would ignite in other Caribbean countries a fervor to do what they did, liberate their people from the shackles of bondage and slavery.

At that time in history, the enslaved African, kidnapped and deposited on foreign land, set to work in tobacco, cotton and sugar plantations, was an accepted staple of life. Since the original reaping initiated by the Portuguese in the 1400's, monarchs, the aristocracy and plantation owners dealt in the business of owning, trading and bequeathing slaves. The practice was so ingrained, and apparently sanctioned by The Bible, in Leviticus 25, that the flagrant kidnapping, disenfranchisement and genocide was allowed by states and backed by state finances, and also written and talked about in well-regarded literary tomes and in religious forums heard by millions around the world.

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The Haitian community is preparing for the 222nd anniversary of the Bois Caiman Ceremony. The ceremony is celebrated to mark a remarkable event which gave birth to the first ever black republic in the world. Bois Caiman Ceremony first celebrated on the 14th day of August 1791 remains a symbolic event in the history of humanity.

In reminder to the Haitian people Lesly Condé expressed his expectation for good participation from the Haitian Community during this important event. Lesly is the Consul General of the Republic of Haiti in Chicago.

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Limbé is located in Haiti's Nord Department. In the Limbe Arrondissement, it is a municipality inhabited by 32200 inhabitants as per 2003 census. After Cap Haitien it is the second most important city. Bas-Limbe and Limbe are the two communes which include other seven rural sections. It is located to the north of Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince at a distance of 220 km. L'Acul-du-Nord, Bas-Limbé, Cap-Haïtien, Port-Margot and Plaisance are the neighboring cities and towns to access from Limbe.

From where does Limbe derives its strength

Limbe city derives its strength and a base of diverse agriculture from the Limbe River. Near the sea in Bas-Limber, rice is produced and in the city's surrounding areas, mango, coffee, banana and fruits of other kinds are produced.

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The city of Cap-Haitian has a reach history, specially during the French colonization. This small city has its name changed at least four times. It as founded in 1670 by Bertrand d'Ogeron who saw the great opportunity at the time based on its geographic location. However, as the region started growing as an economic force for France, the city called at this time Cap-Francais became a major port to ship sugar, coffee, cotton and indigo. The merchants began to display their wealth and Cap-Francais acquired the name'Paris of the Antilles.'

The great wealth the city well know to be generating at the time was produced on the back of the African slaves who had replaced the indigenous peoples who had migrated from present-day Central and South America in the 16th century. Due to the colonization and introduction of new infectious diseases, as well as poor treatment received by the colonizers, the indigenous population rapidly declined.

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