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The story of Nanny of the Maroons

The story of Nanny of the Maroons

You can almost hear the drums when you stand in the hills of Portland.

The air is thick with the scent of pimento wood and earth, and somewhere nearby, a conch shell might sound,  just as it did centuries ago when the maroons gathered.

This is where Jamaica’s only female National Hero, Nanny of the Maroons, led her people.

Her story is about survival, freedom, and the unbreakable spirit that still defines Jamaica today.

A freedom fighter of the maroons

Born in the late 1600s, Nanny was of Ashanti descent, brought to Jamaica as part of the transatlantic slave trade.

She escaped the plantations and found refuge in the Blue and John Crow Mountains, where she became a leader among the Maroons.

These were communities formed by Africans who had fled enslavement.

Nanny trained her people in guerrilla warfare, using the mountains as both shield and weapon.

Under her leadership, the Maroons resisted British attacks for decades, forcing a peace treaty that recognized their independence in 1739.

The spirit of the maroons

Eventually, the maroon settlements became symbols of freedom across Jamaica’s rugged landscape.

When you visit Nanny Town or Moore Town today, you’ll see drumming, storytelling, and ceremonies that trace back to her leadership.

Her people still honor her as a spiritual figure.

Some say she could catch bullets, while others say her wisdom was her greatest power.

Nanny's legacy

For visitors, Nanny’s story is a reminder that Jamaica’s freedom was not given; it was fought for.

Her courage inspired later heroes, such as Samuel Sharpe.

When you hear Jamaica’s motto, “Out of Many, One People,” remember that Nanny helped shape the “one”.

If you plan to visit one of the maroon communities in Jamaica, ask before taking photos, listen to the drummers, and take in the stories.

They aren’t performances, they’re living history.

Image credit: Jamaica Experiences / AI artwork created with ChatGPT (OpenAI).

Image credit: Jamaica Experiences / AI artwork created with ChatGPT (OpenAI).

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