Drums of Defiance

"In Jamaica, Maroons intermarried with Arawak and Miskito people from Central America, establishing independence in the back country as the island changed hands from the Spanish to the British in the 17th century. Jamaican Maroons fought against slavery and for Jamaican independence from the British. A famous Maroon rebel was Granny Nanny. She is the only female listed among Jamaican national heroes. Nanny was leader of the Jamaican Maroons in the 18th century. The Jamaican community has immortalized her in songs and legends. She was particularly important in the First Maroon War in the early 1700s. Granny Nanny was also known for her exceptional leadership skills. For example, she planned guerrilla warfare that confused the British. To this day, the Maroons in Jamaica are completely autonomous and separate from Jamaican culture. In their largest town, Accompong, they still possess a vibrant community of about 600. Tours of the village are offered to foreigners and a large festival is put on every January 6th to commemorate the signing of the peace treaty that was signed with the British after the Maroon War." More history here.

Nyabinghi Medley - Group of Maroons from Accompong