12594: BWA KAYIMAN at TAP TAP in Miami Beach

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: crowingrooster@juno.com


CELEBRATION OF BWA KAYIMAN
Tap Tap Restaurant - August 16

On the stormy night of August 14, 1791, hundreds of slaves gathered by
torchlight in a secluded forest clearing called Bois Caiman in the
mountains above Cap Frangois, the cosmopolitan capital of the prized
French colony Saint Domingue. They had come from all the plantations on
the northern plain, which was then the richest region of the richest
colony in the Western Hemisphere. By the glow of fire and the flash of
lightning, they held a ceremony and planned an uprising which would
change the course of world history.

A few days later, thousands of slaves simultaneously rebelled throughout
the northern plain. The burning plantations formed a giant wall of flame
and smoke which darkened days and reddened nights for almost a week. The
rebellion, which developed a symbiotic connection with the on-going
French Revolution, lasted for the next 13 years, culminating on January
1, 1804 with the independence of Haiti (the original Arawak Indian name
for the island), the first sovereign nation in Latin America and the only
successful slave revolution in history.

This event foiled Napoleon's Western Hemisphere designs by denying him
the use of Saint Domingue as a stepping stone to move up the Mississippi
River and conquer the United States. Instead, after slave armies defeated
Napoleon's finest troops and generals, France had to offer the United
States the Louisiana Purchase in 1804 to recoup its Caribbean losses and
finance other military excursions in Europe.

On the 211th anniversary of this great uprising, Tap Tap Restaurant will
host an evening of  dance, drumming, and music to celebrate the beginning
of what would become Haitis successful independence struggle. Celebrated
artist Rara Kuyu will host the evening which will feature dancer Manno
Mirisier. The celebration will begin at 10 pm.

For reservations and more information, please call Tap Tap Restaurant at
305-672-2898.

Tap Tap Restaurant, 819 5th Street, Miami Beach, FL 33139