Meaning
The communities of Africans who escaped slavery and built free, self-governing settlements in Jamaica's rugged interior. They fought the British to a standstill and won a treaty in 1739, and their descendants still hold their own towns and traditions today.
Examples
-
Di Maroons fight fi dem freedom inna di hills.
The Maroons fought for their freedom in the hills.
-
Nanny lead di Windward Maroons.
Nanny led the Windward Maroons.
-
Accompong still a Maroon town.
Accompong is still a Maroon town.
Origin
From the Spanish 'cimarrón' (wild, untamed, runaway), used for the Africans who fled the plantations into the mountains.
How it’s used
A proud symbol of African resistance and freedom. Maroon towns — Accompong, Moore Town, Charles Town, Scott's Hall — keep distinct heritage, drumming and the abeng.