True Talking Story “Black History Story”.
Characters: Jamaican Queen Nanny of the West
Live Music By: Pedro Ithier, Jr “The World”
This story begins in Moore Town, located in Jamaica.
While visiting the Maroons in Jamaica for my honeymoon, during which our tour guide Henry had planned for us to see where the Maroons lived and how they concurred from not being enslaved.
Yes, that’s right! Their leader was called: Queen Nanny of the West-Maroons, somewhere around the early 17th-century. Queen Nanny was a fierce and brave warrior woman of color, who strategically planned battles, so Africans didn’t land up enslaved by the British. She, felt Africans needed to stand up for themselves; not be put into slavery, while telling them to go up into the mountains for survival. Even to this day Jamaican culture is separated from the four Maroon towns. Town’s known as:
Scott’s Hall
Charles Town
Moore Town
Accompong TownThe area we visited was called “Moore Town”, very old-fashion most of the furniture was builded by hand, from scared wood, the fireplaces were built from stones and where they cooked, we saw cast iron pans hanging over fireplaces. It was like stepping into the early 17th era. Yet, eccentric, unconventional and slightly strange.
Thank goodness I've lived in Ile-Ife, Nigeria, which had that kind of Vibe from African culture. Distinctly different, then the main look of Jamaican, where we were staying at.
The Jamaican Maroons fought the British, which freed them from centuries of Slavery. {Abolition Act 1833 effective 1838}. But, their traditional laws which are still in place today told us; doses required everyone to live in the “Blue Mountain Hill”, in order for their community to live freely. They recreate Africa traditions, keeping the memories of African beliefs alive, they also invented military camouflage, by wearing the “Cocoon Leaves” on their bodies, so they couldn’t be detected and to sip on leaves for hydration (water). Which is how the Maroons easily blended into the environment. Also, because they know the terrain and territory, which helped in gorilla warfare.
Leading the Britain’s to create a peace-treaty-given them a “Proclamation of Freedom”.
Looking at antiquities from the past, as we visited in our time. Totally amazing to feel and experience the food, culture & music.
Understanding how African Spirituality was used to confuse & defeat their enemies . Telling us the story that Queen Nanny of the Maroons had an Iron Pot that boiled with no fire under it. She was a Spiritual Healer & herbalist, born into Royalty from Ghana. Planned Gorilla Warfare for battles, sang traditional African, taught African dancing, then required the children to learn.
(Keep Listening for Conclusion)