Nanny or “Queen Mother” is believed by some historians to have been born in West Africa of Ashante origin and escaped from slavery after being brought to Jamaica. She was the outstanding military leader of runaway enslaved Africans known as the Maroons who formed their own community on the rugged hilly terrains of eastern Jamaica.
The Maroons were opposed to slavery and were an army of freedom fighters. Nanny was known for successfully leading the Maroons in fierce querilla battles against the British between 1720 - 1739. In 1739 a Peace Treaty with the British ended years of conflicts between them. The treaty resulted in the British legally granting the Maroons land in exchange for the Maroons not harboring new runaway slaves and to help in their recapture for bounties.
Nanny instilled the spirit of freedom in her people, passed down African legends, and encouraged the continuation of African customs, music and songs. The exact date of her death is not known.
Nanny was conferred with the Order of National Hero in 1982 for her role as a freedom fighter against the institution of slavery.
