Mountains, Maroons, and the Might of Cudjoe
Long before Jamaica gained independence in 1962, freedom was already being carved into the island’s mountainous heart by self-liberated Africans who refused to bow to colonial chains. At the forefront of this fierce resistance stood Captain Cudjoe — a warrior, strategist, and the legendary leader of the Leeward Maroons. His legacy is one of defiance, diplomacy, and deep ancestral pride. Known also as Codjoe, Cudjo, or Kojo (an Akan name given to boys born on Monday), this Jamaican hero helped shape a unique chapter in Caribbean history — one written not by colonial rulers but by the blood, courage, and determination of a free African people.
