Of or relating to Haiti, its people, or their culture. Can also function as a noun referring to a person from Haiti.
From Haiti, from Taíno 'ayiti' meaning mountainous land. Spanish colonizers used 'Española' but indigenous name was revived when Haiti became first independent black republic in 1804. Spelling standardized in English during 19th century.
Haiti holds the remarkable distinction of being the first nation to permanently ban slavery and the second independent country in the Americas. The preservation of the indigenous Taíno name 'ayiti' represents a powerful reclamation of pre-Columbian identity.
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