s a student in primary school I was told several stories about Jamaica’s history. I also read a few stories from the prescribed texts. I remember reading a story from a text entitled, The People Who came. It explained how Jamaica was discovered. It accounted that Christopher Columbus was
trying to find a new route to the east so he sailed west. During this voyage he discovered Jamaica which was already occupied by Arawaks. I always found it strange that someone discovered a place which already had settlers. It was also strange that by trying to find a new route the east Columbus
went west. As I got older I decided that he was simply lost when he stumbled upon our
island.
Like the story of Columbus, Nanny’s story also left me with questions. She is recorded as
Jamaica’s only National Heroine and has been described as a military leader, an outstanding Maroon and a wise woman. I remember very well the story of Nanny catching bullets with her rear end during her fight against the British. The story also spoke about her role as an obeah woman who used this as a means of defeating her enemies. Nanny’s story was filled with tales of excitement. It made me believe that I am a descendant of fierce fighters and brilliant leaders. It presented me with the thought that women are just as brave and strong as men and can therefore accomplish anything.
In spite of the hope I received my questions remained. Why was Nanny the only heroine; weren’t there other women who fought for freedom? When was Nanny born? When did she die? How did she die? Did she really catch bullets with here rear end? Did Nanny truly exist or was she created as a means of including women in our history?
To Read More: Purchase your copy of Volume 9 #6 January-February 2018
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s a student in primary school I was told several stories about Jamaica’s history. I also read a few stories from the prescribed texts. I remember reading a story from a text entitled, The People Who came. It explained how Jamaica was discovered. It accounted that Christopher Columbus was
trying to find a new route to the east so he sailed west. During this voyage he discovered Jamaica which was already occupied by Arawaks. I always found it strange that someone discovered a place which already had settlers. It was also strange that by trying to find a new route the east Columbus
went west. As I got older I decided that he was simply lost when he stumbled upon our
island.
Like the story of Columbus, Nanny’s story also left me with questions. She is recorded as
Jamaica’s only National Heroine and has been described as a military leader, an outstanding Maroon and a wise woman. I remember very well the story of Nanny catching bullets with her rear end during her fight against the British. The story also spoke about her role as an obeah woman who used this as a means of defeating her enemies. Nanny’s story was filled with tales of excitement. It made me believe that I am a descendant of fierce fighters and brilliant leaders. It presented me with the thought that women are just as brave and strong as men and can therefore accomplish anything.
In spite of the hope I received my questions remained. Why was Nanny the only heroine; weren’t there other women who fought for freedom? When was Nanny born? When did she die? How did she die? Did she really catch bullets with here rear end? Did Nanny truly exist or was she created as a means of including women in our history?
To Read More: Purchase your copy of Volume 9 #6 January-February 2018
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