The Haitian Revolution stands as one of the most important liberation struggles in human history. An entire island of enslaved people rose up and successfully won their freedom through warfare. Figures such as Toussaint L’Overture, Jean Jacques Dessalines, and Dutty Boukman are remembered in the modern day as heroes of the revolution. While that sentiment is correct, there were numerous other figures that played an important role in winning freedom for the Haitian people whose names are now lost to history. One such figure is Sainte Belair, a remarkable woman that fought and died for Haiti’s freedom.
Sanite Belair was born in Haiti in 1781. Much of her early life is unknown. While she was most likely born as a free woman, or as a member of the Affranchi class, her exact origins are unclear. What is clear is that at the time of her birth Haiti was known as the colony of Saint-Domingue. The majority of the inhabitants of the colony were enslaved Africans, who were forced to suffer through horrific conditions on French plantations. Even when compared to the brutality that was common among Caribbean colonies in the 18th century, Saint-Domingue stood out for its shocking treatment of Enslaved Africans.
In 1796 Sanite Belair married Charles Belair, a nephew of Toussaint L’Overture. Ever since the outbreak of the Haitian Revolution several years earlier, Charles had served alongside his uncle as an officer in the Army of Saint-Domingue.
The Haitian Revolution had begun on August 21st, 1791. On that night several hundred enslaved Africans gathered for the famous meeting at Bois Caiman. With Dutty Boukman (an Oungan/priest) and Cecile Fatiman (a Mambo/priestess) serving as the spiritual leaders of the ceremony, they conducted a traditional African religious ceremony, an animal was sacrificed, an oath was taken, and Boukman gave the following speech:
“This God who made the sun, who brings us light from above, who raises the sea, and who makes the storm rumble. That God is there, do you understand? Hiding in a cloud, He watches us, he sees all that the whites do! The God of the whites pushes them to crime, but he wants us to do good deeds. But the God who is so good orders us to vengeance. He will direct our hands, and give us help. Throw away the image of the God of the whites who thirsts for our tears. Listen to the liberty that speaks in all our hearts.”
While the ceremony continued, a heavy storm broke out, casting the impression that their rebellion was favored by the divine, or in this case favored by Ezili Danto, a highly important spirit in Haitian Vodou.
By the conclusion of the meeting Boukman had been acknowledged as the leader of their fledgling revolution. Sacrifices to the Voodoo spirits were carried out, and all that were present swore an oath to follow him. The rebellion began that very night with Boukman’s forces attacking and killing slave owners in their homes. It soon spread to the rest of the colony, with the enslaved rising up against their former masters in large scale numbers.
The Haitian Revolution was an extremely bloody revolution. Many of the former slaves had suffered extreme physical and psychological traumas during their enslavement. Sexual assault and family separation were daily atrocities that were committed against the enslaved by masters and overseers. With these former victims desiring revenge, the French looked to use extreme violence to put down the rebellion. Victory was not a guarantee for the rebellious slaves, as France and other European powers were determined to keep the enslaved Africans from successfully orchestrating an uprising. Toussaint L’Overture and Dutty Boukman were killed by French forces during the course of the war, in addition to many nameless Haitians that were killed.
It was in this period of history that Sanite Belair lived. Following the footsteps of her husband, she joined the Army of Saint Domingue and took part in the Revolution. The highest rank she achieved during her military service is lieutenant. Husband and wife were determined to see the freedom of their people from slavery, and both contributed greatly to the revolution’s success. She and her husband helped to mobilize civilians throughout the countryside for the war effort, particularly in the Western region of the colony. By 1801, the couple had become a major thorn in the side of the French army. A bounty was soon placed on their heads.
Aware of the danger that the bounty on their heads posed, and also facing hostility from the newly established rebel leader Jean Jacques Dessalines, the Belairs remained in hiding throughout 1802. However, as the year progressed the French would close in on the couple, and in October of that year Sanite Belair was captured by forces under the command of Faustin Repussard. Charles soon turned himself in, as he refused to be separated from his partner.
On October 5th, 1802, Charles and Sanite Belair were sentenced to die for their acts of rebellion. Sanité was scheduled to be executed by decapitation while Charles was to die by way of a firing squad.
Charles was the first to face his sentence, facing firing squad. Shortly before his death Sanite Belair cried out for him to die bravely, which Charles proceeded to do, facing his demise with his hand over his heart and no fear on his face.
Completely alone and facing her imminent demise, the 21-year-old Sanite Belair acted with as much dignity as a human being is capable of mustering. Dispelling racist notions on the inferiority of black women, she faced her death with bravery, refusing to let herself be blindfolded and decapitated. Instead, she forcefully demanded that she be killed by way of firing squad, the appropriate method of execution for soldiers at the time. Facing down her firing squad without a blindfold, she let out her final words; “Viv Libète anba esklavaj!”—”Liberty, no to slavery!”
Similarly to Toussaint L’Overture, Sanite Belair died two years before the people of Saint-Domingue achieved their independence in 1804. While she never lived to see the success of the Haitian Revolution, the role that she played was crucial in securing freedom for Haiti. Her example as a fearless warrior stands to this day, as the people of Haiti continue to hold great reverence for this remarkable woman that helped win its people their freedom.
Sources:
https://www.humanite.fr/culture-et-savoir/ces-invisibles-qui-font-lhistoire-de-france/sanite-belair-heroine-de-lindependance-de-haiti-716607
https://www.editionstheatrales.fr/livres/opera-poussiere-1654.html
https://books.google.com.ng/books?id=vUltAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA147&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false
https://history.as.uky.edu/haitian-revolution-1791-1804-different-route-emancipation
