Queen Nanny leader, warrior and priestess, mother of all Jamaicans. From Ashanti to Jamaica an 18th Century Leader, Warrior and Priestess. Nanny was also called Granny Nanny, she was Queen of the Windward Maroons and an Obeah woman from around the end of the 17th century to the early 18th century. She was believed to have come from somewhere in West Africa, most probably Ashanti or Akan tribe. It is vague as to if she was captured as a slave or if she came into Jamaica a free woman. Nanny was said to have been married to a man called Adou but had no children with him.

Historical documents refer to her as the rebel’s old Obeah woman, and legally granted her and those residing with her a parcel of land, Nanny Town is said to have been built on this. Queen Nanny was the spiritual, cultural, and military leader of the Windward Maroons. This is largely because she stood and fought for what she believed in, defending her people through an intense period during their resistance against the British. She made numerous successful raids to free slaves. She was killed by Captain Sambo during one of the many bloody battles. A truce was signed a few years after, Nanny town was eventually capture, destroyed and is currently called Moore Town.

Most slaves taken to Jamaica from Africa came from West Africa and Madagascar. A large amount of the Maroon tribe came from West Africa. They were often fierce and ferocious fighters with a preference for resistance, survival and freedom, they refused to become slaves, they led most of the rebellions in Jamaica. Queen Nanny is the face on the Jamaican $500 bank note, the highest bank-note in circulation in Jamaica. She has been honored as a National Hero and awarded the title ‘Right Excellent’ .

Chances are she could be from Ghana or Nigeria. What do you think?