“If We’re Going, I’ll Need a Weapon” 🇯🇲 (#96)

Deep in the beautiful Blue Mountains of Jamaica lie the Maroon communities, a unique group of people in Jamaica's history. These are the descendants of escaped slaves who formed militias and outposts in the mountains to guard their freedom. Because of this, an African language, Kromanti, managed to survive for almost 400 years, but it may be on the verge of extinction. I decided I would rent a car in Kingston and go driving through the mountains to Moore Town, a a Maroon settlement that was rumored to have the last speakers of the language. Thankfully, I met someone who was more than happy to show me around - with a machete.

#sabbatical #jamaica #caribbean