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An Afrocentric Re-Examination of the Historiography Around the Afrikan Revolution in Ayiti

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An Afrocentric Re-Examination of the Historiography Around the Afrikan Revolution in Ayiti AN AFROCENTRIC RE-EXAMINATION OF THE HISTORIOGRAPHY AROUND THE AFRIKAN REVOLUTION IN AYITI A Dissertation Submitted to the Temple University Graduate Board In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY by Wilbert St.Hilaire August 2021 Examining Committee Members: Ama Mazama, Advisory Chair, Africology & African American Studies Molefi Kete Asante, Africology & African American Studies Kimani Nehusi, Africology & African American Studies Adisa A. Alkebulan, External Member, Africana Studies at San Diego State University i ABSTRACT Throughout the history of western academia, there have been scholars who have interpreted and examined various aspects of human history. Within their “objectivity,” European historians and other Eurocentric scholars make it a point to universalize their own interpretations of different people’s histories and cultures. This type of scholarship tends to ignore or omit the contributions and historical realities of Afrikan people. This case is especially true of the scholars who have interpreted the historiography around the Afrikan revolution in Ayiti (Haiti/Hayti). The purpose of this study is to provide an Afrocentric re-examination and interpretation around the historiography of the Afrikan Revolution in Ayiti. As a result, this study seeks to highlight several essential Afrikan aspects and their overall impact on the Afrikan revolutionary war's totality in Ayiti. How can Ayisyen Vodou/Vodun and the more extensive system of Afrikan spirituality help better shape the interpretation and the historiography around the Afrikan revolution in Ayiti? Secondly, how have Eurocentric historiographies about different Afrikan histories been used to minimize Afrikan agency? Specifically, how did Afrikan people's dislocation caused by the European plantation play into the minimization of Afrikan agency in Ayiti during and after the revolution? Other relevant questions posed include: what is the relevance of utilizing Afrocentric historiography to teach young black children the stories and victories of Afrikan people in Ayiti? Furthermore, how can Afrocentric historiography be used as an analytical tool to discuss the theoretical issue of agency reduction formation and cognitive hiatus in Ayiti? These are the major research questions this study will attempt to answer, with the hope that this work may potentially raise the consciousness of young Afrikan people in Ayiti and abroad. ii Marie W. St.Hilaire, Latibonit (Artibonite), Ayiti DEDICATION This work is dedicated to the Afrikan ancestors who trusted me to tell Ourstory. Specifically, to the Afrikan ancestors of Ayiti, whose revolutionary spirits still resonate with us today! To my mother, Marie Willide Maude St.Hilaire, may your spirit continue to rest with the ancestors and live forever! To my biological father, Jean Walter Jean Francois, thank you for helping bring me into this world. Finally, to my parents, Donald A. Cordon and Cloraine Cordon (Anelle Cloraine Philomen St.Hilaire), thank you for raising me with love and instilling me with pride for my people. Specifically, to my father, Donald Cordon, who believed in my path up into his transition, please continue to guide me in the work I produce for our people's liberation! iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I must first acknowledge the Afrikan ancestors and lwa of Ayiti, whose spirits are within me, and my Afrikan consciousness, which has facilitated this rigorous process. My sister Nahomie Gray (Pierre), my brother-in-law Jon Kingsley Gray, and my three-year-old nephew Jonah Gray (aka Jojo), and my unborn niece Jonica (aka Joni) have been my instrumental support system during this process. Thank you for believing in my path and supporting my path. To my cousins, Zaheir Clay, Richard and Derby St.Hilaire, thank you for always checking up on me and reminding me how proud our family is of the work I will continue to produce! Most importantly, I must also thank my extended Afrikan family (relatives, friends, cohorts). I thank you for your support, patience, and feedback. To the discipline of Africology (black studies, Africana, etc.) I thank you for giving me the tools necessary to liberate my consciousness. I must also acknowledge my many teachers beginning with my original mentors at SUNY Oswego, Dr. Kenneth Marshall and Dr. Patricia E. Clark, for lightning the initial match for my path and destiny. To Dr. Marcia Sutherland and the department of Africana Studies at SUNY Albany, thank you for developing my growth as a first-time graduate student and directing me to the Department of Africology at Temple University. To my TUAFAM! The Temple University, Department of Africology, faculty, students, and alumni, I love you all with all my heart and thank you for assisting me in my transformation. Specifically, to my spiritual mother, mentor, master teacher, and graduate advisor, Dr. Ama Mazama, I love and thank you with all my heart for choosing me and saving my life! Mazama iv not only brought me back home to Ayiti for the first time in 2017. In 2018, she would also pay for my ticket to Benin to present my work. Mazama set the foundation for my dissertation and foresaw the path that I needed to follow! Dr. Molefi Kete Asante, thank you for your instruction and for being a spiritual father figure, especially after my father, Donald Cordon, passing in August 2017. You not only encouraged me to move forward but have continuously given me both emotional and professional support. To my master teacher, Dr. Kimani Nehusi, thank you for setting the foundation for my research topic. In the fall of 2017, you encouraged me to produce a research paper on Afrikan women warrior's contributions to Ayiti’s war for independence. Under your instruction, I was able to see a vast improvement in my writing and analysis. Finally, this work would not have been possible without the Afrikan ancestors' power and assistance. The ancestors have taught me that the roots of study are erected through ethics and duties. In other words, to realize and act out the ancestors' true meanings and words is the true essence of being a scholar. I have dedicated my life to the subject and history of our people and will continue to work to stay true to my destiny! v TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ABSTRACT............................................................................................................................ii DEDICATION………………………………………………………………………............iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.......................................................................................................iv LIST OF TABLES…………………………………………………………………………..vii LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS..................................................................................................viii CHAPTERS 1. INTRODUCTION …………..................................................................................1 PART 1: THE HISTORIOGRAPHY & INTERPRETATIONS AROUND THE AFRIKAN REVOLUTION IN AYITI…………………………………………....29 2. EUROPEAN SCHOLARS INTERPRETATION OF THE AFRIKAN REVOLUTION IN AYITI.......................................................................................37 3. AFRIKAN SCHOLARS INTERPRETATION OF THE AFRIKAN REVOLUTION IN AYITI…………………………………………………………………………..78 PART 2: TOWARD AN AFROCENTRIC INTERPRETATION OF THE AFRIKAN REVOLUTION IN AYITI………………………………………………………...106 4. SURVEY OF AFRIKAN WAR & RESISTANCE IN THE AFRIKAN WORLD..106 5. AFRIKAN PERSONALITIES OF THE AFRIKAN REVOLUTION IN AYITI.......................................................................................................................139 6. THE MAINTENANCE OF AFRIKAN IDENTITY AND SPIRITUALITY IN AYITI……………………………………………………………………………...178 7. AFRIKAN MALE-FEMALE COMPLEMENTARY FORCES IN AYITI……………………………………………………………………………...211 8. AFRIKAN COMBAT ARTS & WARFARE IN AYITI…………………………..253 9. CONCLUSION: BIRTH OF THE AFRIKAN NATION OF AYITI AND ITS UNFINISHED REVOLUTION…………………………………………………...288 BIBLIOGRAPHY................................................................................................................321 vi LIST OF TABLES 1. Table 1. Chronology of Afrikan War & Resistance Against Foreign Imposition…….133 2. Table 2. Timeline/chronology of Initial Afrikan Wars & Rebellions in Ayiti before 1791…………………………………………………………………………………...173 3. Table 3. Illustration of the Cosmic/Divine Hierarchy and Order in the Circle of Life……………………………………………………………………………………187 4. Table 4. Dimensions of the Asymmetrical Afrikan Complementarity theory………..226 5. Table 5. Illustration of several Afrikan lwa (loa) nanchons/families within Ayisyen Vodou………………………………………………………………………………....231 6. Table 6. Kouzen Zaka song & lyrics by Boukmann Eksperyans …………………….236 vii LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 1. Illustration 1. Vèvè of Maman Brijit……………………………………………….....147 2. Illustration 2. Vèvè of Ezilí Dantòr…………………………………………………...151 3. Illustration 3. One of many Vèvè of Ogou Feray……………………………………..155 4. Illustration 4. Vèvè of Legba Atibon………………………………………………….167 5. Illustration 5. One of many Vèvè of Danbala and Ayida-Wedo……………………...185 6. Illustration 6. One of many Veve of Loko…………………………………………....190 7. Illustration 7. One of many Vèvè for Gede…………………………………………...193 8. Illustration 8. Ayisyen Tambour Drum used in Vodou Ceremonies…………………205 viii CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION “Bondye ki te kreye tè a, ki te kreye solèy la ki ban nou limyè. Bondye ki kenbe moute oseyan an, ki moun ki fè loraj la gwonde. Bondye nou an ki gen zòrèy pou tande. Ou menm ki kache nan nyaj yo, ki gade nou kote ou ye a. Ou wè tout sa blan an te fè nou soufri. Blan
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