Tonton Macoute
From Freepedia
The Tonton Macoutes (singular Tonton Macoute referring to a member thereof; or Ton Ton Macoute) was a Haitian militia force under the control of François 'Papa Doc' Duvalier.
The militia was created in 1959, modelled on the Italian fascist Blackshirts. The militia was renamed officially in 1971 the Milice de Volontaires de la Sécurité Nationale (MVSN). It was notorious for its widespread and brutal repression of political dissidents.
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Origin of name
In Haiti, like other nations, at Christmas, good children are visited by Santa Claus, known locally as Uncle Christmas. The bad children are visited by Uncle Gunnysack, or Uncle Knapsack. Translated literally from Creole: Tonton (Uncle) Macoute (gunnysack). The term "Tonton Macoutes" is equivalent in Haiti to the "bogeyman".
Duvalier
Duvalier (better known as "Papa Doc") came to power in 1957, as a populist, freely elected. He had served as Minister of Health, and was noted in the fight against Typhus. After an attempted coup against him in 1958, Duvalier rewrote the Haitian constitution. In 1959, he created the force, which was granted automatic amnesty for any crime committed during any official act.
Reputation
The Tonton macoutes were known for wearing dark glasses, wielding machetes, and leaving their victims hanging in a public place as a warning to others. They cultivated the image of being vodun demons or zombies.
It is alleged that the death squad continues to operate in Haiti, through 2000.
Other uses
Ton-Ton Macoute! is the name of a Johnny Jenkins music album.
Tonton Macoute were also a progressive rock band from the UK.
The Ton Ton Macoute is also referenced the Robert Plant song Heaven Knows from the Now and Zen album:
- Now I find myself fully occupied and half alive
- With your head, heart, arms and legs wrapped around my family pride
- See the whites of their eyes then shoot
- With all the romance of the Ton Ton Macoute
In the Spanish comic Fanhunter, Tintin Macutes are a group of stupid soldiers, controlled by the dictatorship of Alejo Cuervo.
