Tonton Macoutes

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The Milice de Volontaires de la Sécurité Nationale (MVSN) (Militia of National Security Volunteers), also called just the Volontaires de la Sécurité Nationale or VSN, was commonly called the Tonton Macoutes. It was a Haitian paramilitary force created in 1959, which reported directly to François 'Papa Doc' Duvalier until his death in 1971. The VSN were led by Duvalier's second-in-command, Luckner Cambronne. After Duvalier's death, he was ordered into exile by Duvalier's son and wife. Cambronne left Haiti in 1971 for Miami, Florida, where he died on 20 September 2006, in Miami, Florida at the age of 77.^[1]

The Tonton Macoutes reported to the head of government, Jean-Claude Duvalier (known as "Baby Doc"). He used them to maintain power until his overthrow in 1986. The new government disbanded the VSN, but some acted as insurgents against it. They took part in the ensuing political turmoil, particularly in rural areas, up until 2000.

Origin of the name

The name Tonton Macoute (translates as "Uncle Gunnysack") originated from Haitian Creole mythology. It was the name of a bogeyman who walked the streets after dark, and would kidnap children who stayed out too late. He stowed them away in his gunnysack, never to be seen again.

Duvalier employed the Tonton Macoutes in a reign of terror against any opponents, including those who proposed progressive social systems. Those who spoke out against Duvalier would disappear at night, or were sometimes attacked in broad daylight. They were never seen again. They were believed to have been abducted and killed by the MSVN, who were called the Tonton Macoutes as a result. Anyone who challenged the MVSN risked assassination. Their unrestrained terrorism was accompanied by corruption, extortion and personal aggrandizement among the leadership.

François Duvalier

François Duvalier (better known as "Papa Doc") came to power in 1957, as a democratically elected leader on a populist platform. He had previously served as Minister of Health, where he led a campaign against the widespread eye disease of yaws among the poor.

After an attempted coup against him in 1958, Duvalier rewrote the Haitian constitution. He made himself President for Life. Believing the Army was planning to overthrow him (as they had previous leaders), he disbanded it and all law enforcement agencies in Haiti. He executed all high-ranking generals. To keep law enforcement completely loyal to him and his dynasty, in 1959 Duvalier created a private security force, the Tonton Macoutes. With his overarching powers, he granted them automatic amnesty for any crime they committed.

Duvalier died in 1971 and was succeed by his son, Jean-Claude Duvalier. The younger Duvalier continued using the Tonton Macoutes as his personal army to maintain power.

Cultural references

• Robert Ludlum's Novel The Bourne Ultimatum - when referring to the Inn Bourne's brother-in-law manages.
• In film The Serpent and the Rainbow, an American scientist investigating the world of Haitian Vodou comes into conflict with the chief of the Tonton Macoute, who is also a bokor.
• Graham Greene's novel The Comedians (1966) features the Tonton Macoutes
• Film based on The Comedians (1967), starring Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor and Alec Guinness. Paul Ford and Lillian Gish had supporting roles as a Presidential candidate and wife.
• Dexter (2006). Doakes shoots a former officer in the Haitin military whom he knew from his special forces tour of Haiti.
• Robert Plant, mentions the Tonton Macoute in his song "Heaven Knows" from the 1988 album, Now and Zen.
• James Kelman mentions the Tonton Macoute in his novel, A Disaffection, p.178.
• Issues 35 and 36 of the Heroes online graphic novel (It Takes a Village, Parts 1 and 2) contain the Haitian's back story
• Sy Montgomery mentions the Tonton Macoute in her novel, The Good Good Pig, p. 10.
• On the TV show Two and a Half Men, in the episode titled "The Unfortunate Little Schnauser", Charlie's nemesis Archie performs a song entitled "Save The Orphans", which refers to the Tonton Macoute.
• In Edwidge Danticat's books, The Dew Breaker and Brother, I'm Dying, the terrorism of the Tonton Macoutes make up major themes in the stories.
• In his show, Part Troll, English comedian Bill Bailey refers to the Tonton Macoute machete maintenance class.
• Alice Donut mentions the Tonton Macoute in the song "Testosterone Gone Wild", on the 1989 album Bucketfuls of Sickness and Horror in an Otherwise Meaningless Life
• Ton-Ton Macoute! is the name of Johnny Jenkins' 1970 album.
• In Amiri Baraka's poem, "Fresh Zombies."

See also

• Boubou Macoutes
• Milizia Volontaria per la Sicurezza Nazionale similar fascist Italian paramilitary force

References

External links

• Tonton Macoute Militia, photos, Latin American Studies
• William Steif, "Revenge of the Tonton Macoute - Haitian terrorism", The Progressive, May 1993
• 26 Anniversary of the VSN, YouTube