Nanny of the Maroons is credited with freeing over 800 enslaved people and is officially recognized as a National Hero of Jamaica — one of only seven people in Jamaican history to hold that distinction.
The Story of Nanny of the Maroons
Nanny is believed to have been born in West Africa (likely modern-day Ghana) around 1686 and was enslaved and transported to Jamaica. She escaped and became the leader of the Windward Maroons — a community of escaped enslaved Africans who built free settlements in the Blue Mountains of Jamaica.
As military leader of Nanny Town, she organized raids on British plantations to free enslaved people — estimated at over 800 freed under her direct leadership. She used the dense mountain terrain brilliantly, implementing guerrilla tactics that made British military expeditions into the mountains disastrous. British soldiers repeatedly retreated, unable to defeat her forces in their mountain stronghold.
She is also credited with preserving African spiritual practices, agricultural knowledge, and military strategies — combining the role of warrior with that of obeah woman (spiritual practitioner). Her legend includes supernatural powers, which likely reflect the immense spiritual authority she held over her community.
In 1739, after decades of resistance, the British signed the Maroon Treaty with the Windward Maroons — legally recognizing their freedom and their right to govern their own territory. Nanny is honored today on the Jamaican $500 bill. She was officially declared a National Hero of Jamaica in 1976.
Color Nanny's Portrait
The Alphabet Book of Generals — Who Resisted White Supremacy and Won features a full-page coloring portrait of Nanny with a color guide and fun fact. Perfect for children ages 4–12 and Black history education.
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