Bwa Kayiman: The Ceremony that Sparked the Haitian Revolution

On the humid night of August 14, 1791, deep in the forests near what is now Morne Rouge, in northern Haiti, enslaved Africans and maroons gathered in defiance of the French colonial system. This historic meeting-known as Bwa Kayiman—was both spiritual and political, and it would spark the Haitian Revolution, the only successful slave revolt in history to result in the founding of a free nation.

Before leaders like Toussaint Louverture or Jean-Jaques Dessalines came into the picture, the Haitian Revolution was lit by people like Dutty Boukman, Cécile Fatiman, and other courageous freedom fighters. For them, Bwa Kayiman was more than just a call to arms--it was a bold declaration that French colonial authorities held no jurisdiction over the inherent right of an individual to self-determination; that this fundamental freedom was theirs by virtue of their humanity.

Just days later, organized resistance groups burned plantations across the north, and the revolution began. Thirteen years of struggle culminated in 1804, when Haiti declared its independence—an achievement that inspired liberation movements around the world.

Freedom Fighters Across Centuries

Just as Bwa Kayiman challenged the economic and political systems that upheld slavery, modern justice movements in the United States challenge entrenched systems of inequality that perpetuate discrimination against Black communities - manifesting as systemic racism, police violence, and the erasure of Black lives. Both movements draw strength from collective action, community resilience, and the refusal to accept chronic injustices. 

Of course, this work is a consistent effort. It is never finished. Liberation is not handed down; it is claimed by the people, sustained through daily action, and defended by activists around the globe. 

The spirit of Bwa Kayiman lives on in every march, chant, and rally where people stand together to affirm the value of their lives. Peace is not simply the absence of an oppressive police or military force actively repressing a population. Peace is built alongside the construction of hospitals, schools, and basic services. Services like sanitation.

For SOIL Haiti, our work for sanitation access in Haiti is about dignity, equity, and justice. Safe sanitation is a human right, and like the revolutionaries of 1791, we believe that no one should be denied the basics of health because of who they are or where they were born. Today, we honor Bwa Kayiman and the brave men and women who secured Haiti’s liberation from French colonial rule. Their legacy reminds us that the work of building a just society—whether through resisting oppression or ensuring access to essential services—is an effort that remains as urgent now as it was then.