Boukman was a prominent leader in the Haitian Revolution, which began in 1791. He is best known for his role in organizing enslaved Africans in Saint-Domingue (now Haiti) to revolt against French colonial rule. Boukman was a skilled maroon leader and a voodoo priest, using his influence to inspire others to fight for freedom. His leadership was marked by the famous Boukman Ceremony, where he called for rebellion and unity among the enslaved population. Boukman's actions and vision played a crucial role in the eventual success of the revolution, leading to the establishment of Haiti as the first independent black republic in 1804.