Resistance was a constant feature of slavery, the slaves resistance to the condition of slavery was an ever day feature of their lives, ranging from working or obeying others as to full scale rebellion involving murder and destruction of property. With the presence of the Maroons the slaves didn’t make it easy for the white population for with the Maroons it made it more tempting for the slaves to resist enslavement for example running away which is a form of resistance (passive resistance) with the presence of the Maroons it was regularly done by slaves because by running away to
Maroon communities they get a form of welcome and peace of mind which was
Well needed by the slaves after all the pain and ill treatment that was handed down by the white population.
“Slaves who runaway or escaped from plantations tried to reach Maroon communities
Is because they received sanctuary an welcome.”( Reid 1980)
“ The Jamaican Maroons were bold enough to raid a plantation in March and carry off
Six women slaves, they defeated several successive forces sent to apprehend them.”
( Greenwood and Hamber 2003:42).
With this successive move committed by the Jamaican Maroons furthered the resistance
of the enslaved. By this brave move the slaves saw that they were stronger and more fiercer than the whites.
Also with their skill at guerilla warfare they managed to further contribute to the
resistance of slavery committed by the enslaved they saw how soliders who were sent out to find their communities and bring them to justice came back empty handed, dead or
dismembered.
1 | P a g e Cutting of soldiers ear (Birhan 1985:25) This was done by the Maroons as an example to whites.
Also by the whites extending their plantations into traditional Maroon areas slaves found it easy to escape to Maroon communities. Which also shows that the Maroons contributed to the resistance of slavery cause by the extention of the white plantations in
Maroon communities the Maroons easily came and raided the plantations and took away slaves and they could easily escape.
Revolting was also a form of resistance practiced by slaves this was sometimes helped by Maroons, the slaves sometimes did not have sufficient ammunition in order to conquer the whites.
“It is said that Nanny leader of the Trewlany Town Maroons was the most blood
thirsty person who was possess of supernatural powers and spirited away the finest
slaves from the estate which laid around. In battle she caught all the attacks of the
enemy and returned in an absent k manner with a deadly effect.”( Robinson 1994)
This paragraph clearly showed that the Maroons contributed a lot to the resistance of
The enslavement by the slaves because as stated in the first line she “spirited the finest slaves from the estate.” By the slaves knowing this they resisted even more cause they
know they would be rescued by Nanny. Also stated in the second line “she caught all the attacks of the enemy an returned them in an deadly effected.This also helped the slaves in their resistance against slavery as they saw that the Maroons could easily get rid of the freedom oppressors .
“ In a particular story it was said that during war Nanny was able to catch
cannonballs between her buttocks and fart them back with deadly effects
2 | P a g e this had many Africans parallels during the long period of resistance to the
Europeans” (Craton 1967). This also contributed to the resistance of slavery by the enslaved they saw how powerful and how spiritually inclined the Maroons were and they couldn’t be easily stopped by the whites so if they escape and jointed them they would be safe.
In the second Maroon war which occurred in Jamaica in the year 1795 the war started
Because two Maroons from Trewlaney town were being whipped by a black overseer of a slave prison which insulted the Maroons.In the war they raided plantations killing of the whites, but never the less some of the old Maroons surrendered because of martial law which was handed down by Lord Balcarres the governor but the young ones continued on their rebellion. It occurred again this time under Major- General Walpole
“ that the Maroons must surrender” some did and the few who failed to do so was shipped to Novia Scotia.
“ Maroons were taken from Jamaica and transported to Novia Scotia who never lost a
fight instilled fair in the whites and encouraged the slave.” (Campbell 1990).
“ They not only (Maroons) deprived slave owners of their property but by forming
Fugitive communities they posed a treat to the stability of the slave society it self.”
( Robinson 1967: 81). By quoting this paragraph it clearly shows that the Maroon presence impacted a great deal on the resistance of the enslaved.
“ Jose Franco tells us that in the first half of the nineteenth century the White
Inhabitants of Santiago de Cuba lived in constant fear and panic of the Maroons.”
(Thompson 2005).
The Maroons knew that the whites were in fear of them so it made easy for the Maroons
3 | P a g e To raid the plantation and help slaves to escape.
In Cuba the Maroons dominance was also popular because their presence was fully recognized as they raided plantations and helped in the emancipation of slaves and gave encouragement to their fight.
“ In Cuba raids on plantation increased, as did the fear that the Maroons victories
Would encourage the slave now out numbering the whiten colonies 14 to 1 to
Rise mass revolts (a form of active resistance).”( Blacks 1958:86)
“In Cuba quarters and grounds, did provide links with the Maroons that were more than symbiotic, and the relationship between the Maroons and the plantation system was more than parallel or even symbiotic. The Maroons ideal was a completely independent existence, but even in mainland colonies where the opportunities for escape were seemingly limitless, Maroon groups stay curiously close retaining an developing contacts at every level with plantation slaves.” (Craton 1967:14).
By doing this the Maroons helped the slaves plan their escape and rebellions against the
Whites.
“In Martinque in 1665 the Maroons wrecked havoc on the whites under Francique
Fabule a( Maroon ) he seduced a young negress induced her to steal and convience her
to stab her master.”(Price 1979) Which would contribute greatly for her getting her freedom and her fellow slave brothers and sisters.
4 | P a g e “ In Guadeloupe slaves were taken to the hills by Maroons w here they were trained
to rob and kill whites in the pursuit of freedom.”(Price 1979).
The leadership of the Maroons contributed greatly to the resistance to slavery by
The enslave. For the leaders trained the slaves which came and joint them in return
Leaded to the emancipation of other slaves by their training they went and helped to freed their fellow slave brothers and sisters.
“ They not only (Maroons) deprived slave owners of their property but by forming
fugitive communities they posed a treat to the stability of the slave society it self.”
( Robinson 1967:81). By quoting this paragraph it clearly shows that theMaroon
Presence impacted a great deal on the resistance of slavery by the enslaved.
The Maroons first originated in Hispaniola where they were slaves who ran away from
The plantation to hilly interiors where they menaced the Spanish and help in the freedom of other slaves who jointed in the fight to keep their freedom and helped other slaves to retain theirs.
These evidence presented above shows a great deal how the Maroons of the Caribbean contributed to the resistance of slavery by the enslaved.
“Many Haitians point to the Maroons attacks as the first manifestation of a revolt against French rule and the slave holding system. The attacks certainly presaged the (1791) slave rebellion, which evolved into the Haitian Revolution. Among the leaders was Boukman a Maroon and a voodoo houngan (priest.).”(www.lalley.com)
The Maroons played an important part in the Haitian revolution because they all came
5 | P a g e Down from their refuge in the hills to help the slave population fight for their freedom.
They helped in the burning down of plantations, killing of whites.
“A voodoo ceremony was organized to strengthen his leadership. It was held not far from the Lenormand Plantation, in a wooded area known as Bois-Caiimon. Bois-Caiimon ceremony was a political event that set the tone for the revolt. Boukman and a voodoo high Priestess led the Bois-Caiimon ceremony. It was the voodoo priestess who had the power to call the spirits of ancestors and Africa gods who spoke through Boukman. After this Bnoukman rose and spoke his voice of liberty speech is one of the greatest orations of history and signaled the beginning of the Haitian revolution. ( Beckles, Shephard 2004)
The part played by the Maroons in the Haitian revolution as shown in the quotes above
They were the first to start a revolt against French ruling for as said Boukman a (Maroon)
Priest rose and spoke his voice of “liberty speech” which was one of the greatest of history and signaled the beginning of the Haitian revolution. The Maroons did play a main part in the Haitina revolution and contributed a lot to the freedom of the enslaved.
6 | P a g e
Who were the Maroons
The Maroons were those blacks who fled plantation slavery to establish their own alternative communities in hospitable and isolated area. Their presence living as they did within a given slave society but outside the purlieus of the slave masters jurisdiction was a vexing problem to the slavocracy the problem was compounded by the fact that the Maroons did not keep their bounds but invariably would converse on plantations to make raids for supplies ammunition powder, food provisions and like in many cases carried of slaves.
Where they lived
The Maroons lived in the mountains which were covered with verdant blue green Foliage thick forests teeming with a varity of bird life, coneys (wild), wild pigs and boars. (Zips 1999:52).
They were also located in the fertile river forests. They had seven narrow pathways which led to different areas of their surrounding, with these pathways it makes their communities more safer and protect them from their enemies. The Maroons occupied countries like Jamaica, Novia Scotia, Suriname, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Hispaniola,
Cuba, Haiti, French Guiana, Belize.
7 | P a g e How they lived
They lived by hunting wild animals like coneys and pigs in the forest. Also by
Raiding plantations and taking away food and slaves which also jointed them.
They lived of subsistence farming where they provided food for them selves and family. They also lived by making weapons, traps and putting in place measures to protect their communities against enemies attacks and also keeping a close eye on them.
8 | P a g e Bibliography
Reid Vic, Nanny Town. Published (1980).
Greenwood.Robert, Hamber Shirley, Emancipation To Emigration.
Published (2003)
Zips. Warner, Black Rebels. Published (1999).
Price Richard,Maroon Societies. Published (1979).
Campbell Mavis, Novia Scotia and The Fighting Maroons (1990).
Craton Micheal, Testing The Chains Published (1983).
Robinson Carey, Fighting Maroons of Jamaica.
Black Clinton, History of Jamaica. Published (1958)
Goveia Elsa, Maroon Struggles and The Ideology of Freedom Published
(2005)
9 | P a g e Introduction
The Maroons made an important contribution to the resistance of the enslaved.
With the Maroons the enslaved felt they had some where to run where they can
Be free.
10 | P a g e
The Maroons were freedom fighters ones who fought long and hard for their
Freedom and for the freedom of their fellow brothers and sisters who were also
a victim of slavery. They were skilled guerilla fighters full of courage and
Perseverance with a built in will to fight the struggles of slavery and to live like
Human beings and not like chattels.
With this hope and vitality they were an inspiration to their fellow slaves that they
can also break the bondage and shackles of slavery. By setting this example the action of resistance came about, to resist against enslavement like they did the proud Maroons.
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