Overview:
A short explainer tracing the origins of the Haitian Creole phrase “grenadye, alaso,” its connection to the French command “Grenadiers, à l’assaut,” and the way Haitians remodeled it right into a rallying cry for braveness, unity and collective battle – from the Battle of Vertieres to the FIFA World Cup pitch.
‘Grenadye, alaso!’
Few phrases stir Haitian delight and collective reminiscence the best way this quick rally cry does. Rooted in Haiti’s revolutionary period, it means, sportingly, “Warriors, let’s go.”
Chanted in moments of fight and celebration, the phrase derives from “Grenadiers, à l’assaut,” a French navy command that interprets to “Troops, assault!” Colonial French officers used the decision to sign particular forces infantry items to advance on the enemy throughout battle. Enslaved ancestors who served in France’s armies made the phrase theirs—simply as they claimed the land and turned Saint-Domingue into the First Black Republic.
Because the nation’s heroes of independence went on the assault in opposition to their enslavers, they repeated the phrase to rally the troops and maintain morale excessive, merging ‘à l’assaut’ into one phrase as they marched towards liberation.
Instilling nationwide delight
In Haiti, schoolchildren discovered the phrase as a part of a track the liberty fighters sang in unison. Its call-and-response type echoes the rhythm of African tradition, making it simple for youngsters to recollect as they took turns calling out and repeating the traces collectively.
Grenadye, alaso.
Sa ki mouri zafè a yo.
Nanpwen Manman, nanpwen Papa
Sa ki mouri zafè a yo.
Loosely translated, the conflict track requires troopers to assault, to march on previous those that’ve perished behind and overlook about family members within the march.
In lots of retellings of the Haitian revolution inside lecture rooms and dwelling rooms, kids additionally be taught that when troops had been drained, they refused to surrender and would reply to the decision with ‘Nou la toujou’ — which means “We’re nonetheless right here.”
From the battle discipline to the soccer pitch
Over time, “Grenadye, alaso” has change into an emblem of unity, shared battle and anticipated victory. It seems in political speeches, konpa lyrics, diaspora gatherings and on a regular basis conversations.
Generally it merely means “keep sturdy.” Different occasions, it means “let’s transfer collectively.” Or, “Nou nan konba,” one other phrase which means we’re in a struggle.
When Haiti established its nationwide soccer crew in 1904, one of many earliest within the Caribbean, it aptly selected the title “Les Grenadiers.” It embodies resistance, unity and defiance within the face of overwhelming odds—qualities which have change into inseparable from Haiti’s identification.
The ladies’s nationwide crew carries the parallel title “Les Grenadières,” a feminized kind that upholds French grammatical conference. Collectively, the 2 groups characterize a contemporary evolution of a centuries-old ethos: Haitians advancing regardless of adversity.
Greater than a nickname, gamers typically shout the phrase earlier than every match, identical to troopers charging into battle.
A cultural cry heard throughout the globe
Now, for Haitians throughout the globe — whether or not in Port-au-Prince, Cap-Haïtien, Brooklyn, Willemstad (Curaçao), Provinciales (Turks and Caicos), Rio de Janeiro, Santiago (Chile), Santo Domingo, Mexico Metropolis, Paris or Doha (Qatar) — “grenadye, alaso” is an affirmation of identification and anticipated victory.
Grenadye, alaso.
Nou la toujou.