Dechoukaj
Encyclopedia
Dechoukaj is a Kréyòl
term that literally means "uprooting". It is used primarily to refer to the political upheaval in Haiti
following the exile of dictator Jean-Claude Duvalier
on February 7, 1986. During the dechoukaj many ordinary Haitian peasants and city dwellers exacted revenge
on their oppressors, including members of the Tonton Macoute
s. The dechoukaj especially affected the institution of the Haitian Vodou religion, whose principals and traditions had been strongly and directly tied to the dictators and used to exert control over the population.
Haitian Creole language
Haitian Creole language , often called simply Creole or Kreyòl, is a language spoken in Haiti by about twelve million people, which includes all Haitians in Haiti and via emigration, by about two to three million speakers residing in the Bahamas, Cuba, Canada, France, Cayman Islands, French...
term that literally means "uprooting". It is used primarily to refer to the political upheaval in Haiti
Haiti
Haiti , officially the Republic of Haiti , is a Caribbean country. It occupies the western, smaller portion of the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antillean archipelago, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. Ayiti was the indigenous Taíno or Amerindian name for the island...
following the exile of dictator Jean-Claude Duvalier
Jean-Claude Duvalier
Jean-Claude Duvalier, nicknamed "Bébé Doc" or "Baby Doc" was the President of Haiti from 1971 until his overthrow by a popular uprising in 1986. He succeeded his father, François "Papa Doc" Duvalier, as the ruler of Haiti upon his father's death in 1971...
on February 7, 1986. During the dechoukaj many ordinary Haitian peasants and city dwellers exacted revenge
Revenge
Revenge is a harmful action against a person or group in response to a grievance, be it real or perceived. It is also called payback, retribution, retaliation or vengeance; it may be characterized, justly or unjustly, as a form of justice.-Function in society:Some societies believe that the...
on their oppressors, including members of the Tonton Macoute
Tonton Macoute
Tonton Macoutes was a Haitian paramilitary force created in 1959 by President François 'Papa Doc' Duvalier. In 1970, the militia was officially renamed the Milice de Volontaires de la Sécurité Nationale .Haitians called this force the “Tonton Macoutes,” after the Haitian Creole mythological...
s. The dechoukaj especially affected the institution of the Haitian Vodou religion, whose principals and traditions had been strongly and directly tied to the dictators and used to exert control over the population.