Maroonteenth '23

Celebrating the Freedom of Black and Indigenous Communities Worldwide!

"Maroonteenth" is a celebration in honor of Maroons - groups and tribes throughout history who have fought against colonization and chattel slavery to protect their independence. During our annual event, we uplift their memories and pay homage to the many ways they regained and maintained their freedoms. Take the case of Queen Nanny of the Maroons and her Akan people from West Africa transported to Jamaica by the British during the 17th century. To protect their society, they fled to the mountains, camouflaged in trees, and blew coded messages through horns. On the West African coast, many Kru people successfully resisted enslavement and colonization through strong armed forces. Haitian enslaved Africans staged a revolt that led to the Haitian Revolution. These are three of dozens of Maroons.