The Children of Sans Souci, Dessalines/Toussaint, and Pétion

A new synthesis reveals how Haiti's nation-state emerged from the interplay of three distinct social groups: descendants of African slaves, Creole blacks, and mulatto elites. The study identifies two dominant systems shaping Haitian society—Catholic/Protestant capitalism driven by Creole and mulatto elites, and Vodou communitarianism sustained through the lakou system among African descendants. These opposing yet complementary ethos formed the foundation of Haiti's political and social structure. The research employs historical analysis to trace recursive patterns of integration, offering a framework for understanding Haiti's enduring cultural and economic divides.

Mocombe, P. C. (2018). The Children of Sans Souci, Dessalines/Toussaint, and Pétion. Identity and Ideology in Haiti, 13–35. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429507502-2