Folklore of Bruuma

In Bruuma, disappearance of real and perceived dissidents, as well of those fallen out of favor, are a common occurrence. Plain clothed security personnel will kidnap the victim, usually at night, and make him or her disappear either in an unmarked grave or in reeducation camp. To avoid addressing the matter directly, Bruumans say that the victim has been taken by Baba Macoute, or Granny Gunnysack, a folklore monster who kidnap unruly children. It has become so popular that when the security personnel want to notify families that their loved one is not coming back, they will deliver a gunnysack with his or her name written on it.