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Maroons was the term given to runaway slaves, from the Spanish word cimarrones meaning 'wild ones.' New Nanny Town in Portland was to become one of four permanent sites where runaway slaves lived freely from British rule. According to legend, Nanny was the leader of this community of runaway slaves in the 18th century.
This photograph was taken by the bridge that spans the river at the entrance to the Maroon town. The bridge acts as a natural barrier for the community. The town is high in the Portland hills with a view that made it secure for this community of runaway slaves.
"When slavery came in and the British captured Jamaica, these people (Maroons) went up into the hills and even now if you want to go up to their area you have to get someone from up there to show the way. They more or less made up their own laws." Pepper Pot Centre
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