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The Maroons 'of Jamaica

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 20, 1906

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 83, No. 51.

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The Maroons 'of Jamaica

By W. J. Tanner

THE Maroons are the historic people of Jamaica. They are the pure Africans, who were captured by Arabs, held as slaves, and liberated by the English government, and found their way to Jamaica. Some of these have learned to read and write the English. Some settled in the recesses of the mountains, where they formed towns.
These people still retain their ancient fearlessness. The English government seems to stand in awe of them still, and levies no tax whatever upon them. They are permitted to govern themselves, and are granted great liberty. Every once in a while they make disturbance.
They may nominally be members of the English Church, but they are followers of Obedism. This is a sort of African fetish worship. As I have seen them advance to their music, working themselves into a frenzy, and lying for hours on the ground, I have had recalled to my mind some things which I have read about the African fetish worshipers.
W. J. TANNER.