HIS 112 Midterm: The Maroon Colonies

  1589: A Brief Introduction to Maroons April 8th, 1589:  Today I have come across a story of certain ‘maroons’ that live somewhere called Esmeraldas (1). I write in this journal with the hopes that someone will find this and learn about what I have seen and read. I question what these ‘maroons’ are, and why they feel the need to live so removed from society. I plan to ask more about who these men are, and what their purpose is. April 14th, 1589:  After about a week of talking to natives and others, I have learned much about these Maroons. They are groups of Africans who have rebelled against their owners and created their own enclosed communities. The term ‘maroon’ comes from the Spanish word ‘cimmarron’, and refers to Africans who are ‘wild’ or ‘unbroken’ (1). I had previously thought that the Africans appreciated their enslavement, as the King himself was helping them. I appear to have been wrong, or at least without the entire story… April 16th, 1589:  I have now...

  1739: Signing of the Maroon Treaty December 23rd, 1739 (Diary of an Englishman) They agreed tonight to the treaty. Named The Articles of Pacification with the Maroons of Trelawney Town (1), this treaty outlines the stipulations for peace between the two groups. I am here at the signing of the treaty, and I can see that Captain Cudjoe and his men are all in attendance here tonight (1). They began discussions of a treaty more than a year ago, specifically on February 24th, 1738 (1).  This treaty here is meant to legitimize the Maroon communities here in Jamaica (2). We hope with this treaty that they will be able to exist alongside us (the British) and allow them to exist in their land between Trelawney Town and the Cockpits (1). Even so, after the death of Captain Cudjoe and his living successors, we (the British) will appoint our leader of the Maroons (1).  December 23rd, 1739 (Diary of a Maroon from Nanny Town) Today they signed with the British. Those men, who claim ...

  1779: Nanny Town July 25th, 1779: I write this today to note my experiences in this Maroon settlement named ‘Nanny Town’. Hidden deep in the Blue Mountains in Jamaica, this community uses the rugged terrain and forest to hide from their former or would-be enslavers (1). It is a fascinating area, completely separate from the rest of Jamaica. This group has completely separated itself from any other political structure or group I have seen on my travels. This community has begun to rely on themselves for food and shelter and has also displayed cooperation with neighboring Native tribes (2).  July 29th, 1779: There is a leader of this town, and she goes by the name ‘Queen Nanny’. I would think that to be the reason as to why this community is called ‘Nanny Town’. She is hailed as a mystic healer, and there are many different plants that she uses in her remedies (3). She commands the warriors of this community, and they engage in deadly, secretive and methodic attacks (2). They ...

  1810s: Blue Mountains June 12th, 1811:  The drawings that I had seen of the Blue Mountains can only do so much to exemplify their beauty. Upon entering the mountain range, I was met with astonishment of the diverse plants that are scattered across the mountainside (2) Before traveling to Jamaica, I was sure to consult the various notebooks, journals and magazines that have written about these mountains.  The Blue Mountain ridge is located on the eastern side of the island of Jamaica and moves westward and to the north. One of the magazines that my mother gave me notes the Blue Maintain Peak, which is about 7360 feet high. Then, west of St. Catherine Peak (which is about 5053 feet), the range separates into two paths (2).  These mountains are also home to Maroons, which are former slaves who escaped their enslavement for freedom. They have braved the treacherous (yet beautiful) terrain and have made a home for themselves here (1). I am interested to meet these peopl...

  1989-1998: The Suriname Internal War and Suriname December 1989:  I am currently in Eastern Suriname, where there is a large population of Saramaka Maroons (2). These people’s ancestors escaped enslavement and now live deep in the rainforest and jungle of Suriname (1). Right now, there is also a war going on between the Saramaka Maroons and the government of Suriname. The indigenous people of Suriname (the Caribs, Kali’na, and Galibi) have been used by the government to hunt down Saramaka Maroons. These people are often seen as scouts for the government and have killed Saramaka Maroons for generations (1).  This internal battle between the Saramaka and the indigenous people has been going on since the 1680s. Before, in 1677, The Arawaks (an indigenous tribe) tried to drive out the Dutch (the colonizing power) and sometimes collaborated with the Maroons or liberated slaves. However, the alliance unraveled as many Arawaks joined the Dutch after failing to defeat them (1)....