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Monday, August 19, 2013

THE JAMAICAN MAROONS

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception


THE JAMAICAN MAROONS CELEBRATE 275 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE IN 2013!

On March 1, 1738/39, the Leeward Maroons of Jamaica, under the leadership of Captain Cudjoe, aka the "mountain lion," signed the Blood Treaty with the British that ended more than 80 years of hostilities between the two groups. With this, the Maroons (former enslaved Africans) were able to maintain their freedom, thereby becoming the New World's first successful freedom fighters.

(Note: the Spartacus Slave Rebellion (Third Servile War) in the Roman Republic, 73 - 71 BC only lasted two years. The great Spartacus and his forces lost in the end but he is more celebrated than the Jamaican Maroons who defeated the mighty British).

Little known fact! The Maroons perfected the art of guerrilla warfare used today by many modern armies. This enabled them to succeed on the battlefield.
http://www.aaregistry.org/historic_events/view/maroons-sign-treaty-england

They called him the "mountain lion." Captain Cudjoe was the military leader of the Leeward Maroons of Jamaica in the 18th century. They took on the mighty British army and crushed them. A peace treaty was eventually signed in 1738/39. Little known fact! The Maroons perfected the art of guerrilla warfare that is used today by many modern armies. Akwantu: the Journey salute the heroes of the Revolution.

and ... Introducing to the world for the first time: the mother of all - the indomitable Maroon Chieftainess Granny Nanny. A true Jamaican (African) heroine; and leader of the 18th century revolution that shook the world.

Original illustrations: by Frank Lumsden


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