Nanny of the Maroons

Granny Nanny

["Maroon Chieftainess", "National Heroine", "Spiritual Leader"]

Born c. 1686

Gold Coast, Ghana

Passed Away c. 1755 Nanny Town, Jamaica

Lifespan ~69 years old

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Notice / Correction

"The abeng sounds in the hills, and the mountain wind carries the breath of freedom."

Archival Overview

Paramount leader of the Jamaican Windward Maroons who defeated the British army in the First Maroon War and secured sovereign autonomous lands for freed people.

Biographical Record

Nanny was born of Ashanti royal ancestry in West Africa and escaped Jamaican plantation bondage to establish an autonomous stronghold in the rugged Blue Mountains known as Nanny Town. Renowned as an obeah spiritual healer and brilliant guerrilla commander, she guided hundreds of fugitive slaves to sanctuary.

Employing ambush tactics, decoy camouflage, and the traditional abeng horn to signal across mountain peaks, Nanny repeatedly defeated British regiments. In 1740, the British Crown was forced to sign a peace treaty granting Nanny and her followers 500 acres of land, making her Jamaica's only National Heroine.

Key Life Milestones

Maroon War

Victory in First Maroon War

Led the Windward Maroons in repelling British imperial troops from their mountain sanctuaries.

Land Patent

Sovereign Land Patent

Secured a royal patent granting 500 acres of autonomous land for the Maroons of Moore Town.

Memorial Guestbook & Tributes

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Rest in Peace Forever remembered and cherished Your legacy lives on in all of us With deep gratitude for your life and light

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Final Resting Place

Perpetual Memorial

Moore Town Maroon Settlement
Moore Town, Jamaica

                         GPS: 18.0667, -76.4333                    

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