Queen Nanny of Maroon: Title But No Transportation By Steven G. Smith. Earlier this past June 2014, Gloria Simms of the Trelawny Town Maroons and leader of the Maroon Indigenous Womens Circle, was installed as gaamang, paramount chief, by the Okanisi Maroons of Suriname. This was historic as Mama G is the first woman named as tribal leader and that it had taken place in Jamaica. For most the Maroon have been known about, and many where taught about the tribe when going to school. We where taught the Jamaican Maroons are descended from Africans who fought and escaped from slavery and established free communities in the mountainous interior of Jamaica during the long era of slavery on the island. African slaves imported during the Spanish period may have provided the first runaways, apparently mixing with the native Arawak people. Many slaves gained liberty when the English attacked Jamaica and took control in 1655. Subsequently runaways were referred to as maroons. The Windward Maroons and those from the Cockpit Country stubbornly resisted conquest in the First and Second Maroon Wars on 1781. Over time, the Maroons came to control large areas of the Jamaican interior. The two main Maroon groups in the 18th century were the Leeward and the Windward tribes, the former led by Cudjoe in Trelawny Town and the latter led by his sister Queen Nanny (and later by Quao). Queen Nanny, also known as Granny Nanny (died 1700s) is the only female listed among Jamaicas National Heroes. To this day, the Maroons in Jamaica are to a small extent autonomous and separate from Jamaican culture. The isolation used to their advantage by their ancestors has today led to their communities being amongst the most inaccessible on the island. Eleven Maroon settlements remain on lands apportioned to them in the original treaty with the British. These Maroons still maintain their traditional celebrations and practices, some of which have West African origin. Native Jamaicans and island tourists are allowed to be present at many of these events, while others are held in secret and shrouded in mystery. Singing, dancing, drum-playing and preparation of traditional foods form a central part of most gatherings. In their largest town, Accompong, in the parish of St. Elizabeth, the Leeward Maroons still possess a vibrant community of about 600. Tours of the village are offered to foreigners and a large festival is put on every 6th of January to commemorate the signing of the peace treaty with the British after the Maroon War. The Maroon heritage of Moore Town was relisted on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2008. (Source Wikipedia). What needs to be understood is some of the duties and role of Mama G as the Nanny Queen of the Maroon. Mama G is the Gaanmang (Paramount Chieftainess) The Gaanmang, is an individual who stands for his/her entire tribe, exclusively controls relations with the central government and thus represents the tribe externally. The tribal chief nominates lower officials for appointment by the government. She is the head of a tribal assembly. Because of the importance of her role, the Gaanmang is released from the mourning obligations incumbent upon other members of her community. In each tribe, the government consists of the following: 1. A tribal or paramount chief (Gaunman,, Gaamá) 2. A number of head chiefs (Ede Kabiteni) 3. A number of village chiefs (Kabiteni) 4. A number of male and female under-officers (Basia) Among all Maroon societies, the jural system is nearly the same. Each tribe creates its own body of laws in the course of tribal councils. Justice is based on unwritten rules and is not devised exclusively by persons occupying official positions. In actuality, elders, other respected persons and family councils dispense justice. The reaching of a verdict, which always takes place during a meeting (kuutu), is always public. The suspect is not present during the trial but is represented by a family member or other advocate. Conflicts between families are settled by family councils. All conflicts, transgressions and minor offenses are settled according to tribal custom. Serious crimes such as murder are handed over to the central government. Finally, it should be mentioned that a chiefs house offers temporary asylum to all transgressors and accused persons. The Queen Nanny is also responsible for Maroon Indigenous Women Circle. It is inspired others to build compassionate families and communities, that are willing to take responsibilities, to live positive role model lifestyle, and who will be accountable for their deeds. We uphold our Afrikan values. Their mission: To be the memory of Afrikan families and communities, reminding them of traditional values and customs that they have lost or forget, to uplifted and improved women/girls and youths, to preserved, protected, transmit and promote African retentions, and to use our traditional heritage of arts and creativity to restore order to chaos. In light of the importance and stature of Gloria Simms as the Queen Nanny, it is sad to say that this important person in Jamaica’s history has to rely on rides from others or on public transportation in order to do her job as Gaanmang. This limits her work in serving the people. Not only of the Maroon tribe, but the people of Jamaica. We are asking anyone in the car dealership or automotive business to strongly consider donating a reliable 4x4 so that our Queen Nanny can do her work. It is important that we as the people support the cultural heritage that is uniquely Jamaica. This writer has talked with the honorable Mama G many times and when asked what the need is it always comes down to transportation. Please contact me personally and I will put you in touch with the Nanny Queen, Mama G for your donation. Blessings from the Queen of the Maroon and Thank You.
Posted on: Fri, 12 Sep 2014 21:35:16 +0000
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