Queen Nanny of the Maroons - A National Hero

Queen Nanny (3)

Queen Nanny 

Though the exact date of birth for Nanny is unknown, it is believed that she was born in present day Ghana around 1686. Nanny did not remain in this region for long. As a child, she and her other family members were captured and sent off to Jamaica as slaves. However, Nanny was smart and managed to escape, in order to become the leader of The Maroons(6). 

Brief overview of Nanny and the Maroons(1)

Queen Nanny- Guerilla Warfare Genius  

The Maroons were incredibly brave human beings. They were slaves in Jamaica that managed to break free and settle in the mountains (5). Nanny was one of these Maroons and she was a force to be reckoned with. Nanny, described as small but with incredible leadership skills, became the Primary General of the Maroons. She was especially skilled in planning out guerilla warfare, some say borderline supernatural, as a means to fight off the British from taking over her land (2). In addition to her skillfulness for war, she also dedicated over 30 years of her life to freeing 800+ slaves and helping those free settle with the Maroons(6). Nanny was an African woman with pride. She was a powerful leader in the Maroon community and is still hailed as a national hero in Jamaica. 

Queen Nanny on Jamaican currency (4)

Nanny's of Today 

It is interesting to think about how the story of a war heroine is still relevant approximately 300 years later. Women in combat is a relatively recent phenomenon, especially holding such a particularly high rank. Nanny was the head honcho of the Maroons and it was up to Nanny to create the tactics utilized in war. If you ask me, that takes one VERY intelligent and brave person. Today we see more and more women proving that they are capable to hold a position of power within the military around the globe (where women are permitted to serve). For too long, there has been the notion that women are not rational and cannot be given this kind of responsibility. Nanny proves this notion to be WRONG. I believe that more of today's women and girls need a Nanny in their life so they can see their potential to lead in a way that Nanny did, if they desire to do so. 

Works Cited 

Facts, Fascinating, director. Nanny of the Maroons. YouTube, YouTube, 18 Jan. 2016, www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cm-WFvOpLI (1)

“Nanny of the Maroons - Jamaican National Hero.” Jamaica Information Service, jis.gov.jm/information/heroes/nanny-of-the-maroons/ (2)

“Queen Nanny of The Maroons .” Checktheshades, 2018, www.checktheshades.com/blog/womens-history-month-2018-day-19-queen-nanny (3)

“Slaveryandremembrance.” Slaveryandremembrance, 2018, slaveryandremembrance.org/people/person/?id=PP023 (4)

“The Maroons of Jamaica .” PortCities Bristol, discoveringbristol.org.uk/slavery/against-slavery/black-resistance-against-slavery/the-maroons-of-jamaica/ (5)

Welsh, Kenneth. “Nanny of the Maroons (Jamaica).” geni_family_tree, 23 May 2018, www.geni.com/people/Nanny-of-the-Maroons-Jamaica/6000000013357199140 (6)