Black Madonna

Postcard of the Black Madonna of Częstochowa – Cudowny Obraz Matki Bożej Jasnogórski (15th century), Poland, 1982.
Private Collection

The “Black Madonna” arrived in Haiti in the knapsacks of Polish mercenaries. Napoleon had sent a contingent of about 5000 men to reinforce French troops in 1802. When it became clear that the colony was lost to France, the Poles changed sides. Many even stayed in Haiti. It is more than likely that the iconography of the “Black Madonna” was incorporated into the Vodoun iconography.