Description

This is the physical two-CD set (the second and third CDs) in the series Lafimen: Listwa Pèp Ayisyen depi nan Ginen (History of the Africans of Haiti).

(1791–1804)

CDs #2 and #3 lay out the Haitian Revolution in full: from the first great uprisings of the maroons, the rule of a military genius named Toussaint Louverture and his eventual downfall, through the continuing struggle up to the decisive blow – the final victory of the insurgent African army over Napoléon Bonaparte’s slaving expedition (Battle of Vertières) and the proclamation of Haiti’s independence on January 1, 1804, under the leadership of founder Jean-Jacques Dessalines.

Together, the two CDs cover the span of the entire Haitian Revolution. The opening piece of CD #2, “Makandal sove” (Makandal escaped), recounts the exploits of the legendary François Makandal, a one-armed African maroon leader who organized some of the most successful attacks against the French on the island of Ayiti in the late 1750s.

Riding Maten, his adventurous donkey, Jafrikayiti guides us through the woods to witness the famous “Bwa Kay Iman” ceremony of August 14–15, 1791. If you get goose bumps as you listen, remember that the professionally mastered sound effects only support the retelling of a true story: one of exemplary courage, deep spirituality and absolute heroism.

The opening piece of CD #3, “Toussaint Louverture ap dirije” (Toussaint rules), covers the military rise and governance of the legendary leader of Saint-Domingue. From the multitude of enslaved Africans who had arrived on the island from various lands and nations, speaking different languages and having known different military strategies and systems of governance, Louverture built and led a formidable army of freedom fighters.

Jafrikayiti leads us to discover Toussaint Louverture’s bold 1801 Constitution, which provoked a fit of rage in Napoléon Bonaparte. The 3rd piece on CD #3 is titled “Napoléon voye Leclerc nan dengonn Toussaint”.

High drama and captivating intrigue run throughout the Haitian Revolution. From 1793 onward, Toussaint and his army defeat Spanish, British and French enslavers, chasing them off the island along with the mulatto collaborators who threatened his power. In 1802, Toussaint is treacherously captured, kidnapped and deported to France. All along, with Maten, his faithful donkey, Jafrikayiti travels with us through time, mountains, valleys and oceans, so that we become invisible eyewitnesses to these mesmerizing historical events.

“Rezistans”, a musical piece performed by the Port-au-Prince street band “Patikoul”, aptly introduces each new chapter. Major figures (men and women) of the Haitian Revolution are introduced in full action in pieces titled “Dessalines ak Christophe refize trayi”, “Lyetnan Sanite Bélair” and “Mèsi Nèg ak Nègès Gwadloup”.

The climactic piece, “Vètyè Pòtay Libète”, recounts the epic battle won by the Africans over Napoléon Bonaparte’s army at Vertières (northern Ayiti). The leadership of the fearless abolitionist Jean-Jacques Dessalines is firmly established on the Island of Liberty. With the declaration of independence of the abolitionist Republic of Haiti on January 1, 1804, a new chapter of human history began. Deemed anathema in the world of white enslavers, Dessalines’ name is cursed; his “Black Republic” feared and ostracized.

CD #3 closes with “Sa k ap fèt?”, a rap performance by KOB Records artist Lucifer. It also features Jafrikayiti, who delivers a special message to Haitians of all generations.

Each CD is also available separately in digital format: Lafimen CD 2 – Lanbi Libète and Lafimen CD 3 – Revolisyon Tout Bon.

Track list

LAFIMEN CD #2 “Lanbi Libète” (Freedom Conch), produced in 2006, comprises the following tracks:

• 1. Makandal Sove (8’18) – Makandal escaped
• 2. Bwa Kay Iman (3’34) – The Bwa Kay Iman ceremony
• 3. Bri Kouri Boukmann Mouri (2’26) – Rumor has it Boukman is dead
• 4. Sonthonax ap Simen Grenn Divizyon (5’36) – Sonthonax sows discord
• 5. Sonthonax Ofri Nèg Libète Sentaniz (4’00) – Sonthonax offers fake freedom
• 6. Toussaint Louverture, konsa l rele (4’40) – His name is Toussaint Louverture
• 7. Toussaint nan tout sòs (6’46) – Toussaint is restless
• 8. Toussaint mouye Sonthonax (7’10) – Toussaint tricks Sonthonax
• 9. Tout blan fè bèk atè (6’48) – The whites give up
• 10. Sa k ap fèt ? (2’05) – What’s going on? (Kreyòl hip-hop)
• 11. Depi nan Ginen bon Nèg ap ede Nèg (1’06) – Brotherhood as ancient as Mother Africa

LAFIMEN CD #3 “Revolisyon tout bon” (Revolution), produced in 2006, comprises the following tracks:

• 1. Toussaint Louverture ap dirije (6’58) – Toussaint rules
• 2. Konstitisyon 1801 (3’25) – The 1801 Constitution
• 3. Napoléon voye Leclerc nan dengonn Toussaint? (4’45) – Napoléon sends Leclerc to placate Toussaint
• 4. Èske Toussaint ap bay Leclerc legen? (4’42) – Will Toussaint give up?
• 5. Dessalines ak Christophe refize trayi (2’58) – Dessalines and Christophe refuse to betray
• 6. Politik Leclerc (6’00) – Leclerc’s tactics
• 7. Leclerc arete Toussaint li pimpe l an Frans (4’26) – Leclerc deports Toussaint to France
• 8. Lyetnan Sanite Bélair (5’16) – Lieutenant Sanite Bélair
• 9. Kafou se swa sa ou se pa sa (4’38) – Point of no return
• 10. Rochambeau dyab sou latè (4’10) – Rochambeau, the devil on earth
• 11. Mèsi Nèg ak Nègès Gwadloup (6’00) – Thank you, Africans of Guadeloupe
• 12. Vètyè pòtay libète (9’08) – Vertières: the gates of freedom
• 13. Pwoklamasyon Fòdofen (6’32) – The Fort Dauphin Proclamation
• 14. Ayiti toma su endependencia (6’31) – Spanish: Haiti takes its independence
• 15. Sa k ap fèt ? (2’05) – What’s going on? (Kreyòl hip-hop)
• 16. Depi nan Ginen bon Nèg ap ede Nèg (1’06) – Brotherhood as ancient as Mother Africa