Sunday, February 20, 2011

Positioning Grandy Nanny as a Proponent of Black Power

Positioning Grandy Nanny as a Proponent of Black Power
By Chantel DaCosta
Black Power, according to Theodore G. Vincent, operates on a continuum. This continuum has at its centre the integrationists’ and at the polar extremes: accommodationists and separatists (Vincent 2006: 37)[1]. Members of what Vincent identified as separatist can be more accurately understood to be Pro-Autonomists. Within this group is the idea that white enforced segregation is unacceptable, yet they strive to build a society of their own, an independent Black Power to match the white power that seeks to oppress them. In order to maintain their independence, this Black Power sect will combat white brutality with violence. The person known in Jamaican traditional histories as Grandy Nanny, Queen Mother Nanny or Nanny of the Maroons was one of the earliest proponents of Pro-Autonomist Black Power in Jamaica.
Nanny is the most prominent female character in Jamaican resistance to British enslavement and imperialism. The Jamaican Government has bestowed upon Nanny, the most senior order in the country’s National Honours and Awards, the Order of National Hero. Despite this great tribute, little mention of Nanny is in the British colonial documents/records of the period. Her exclusion from written record has led scholars and historians to be skeptical of her existence. Yet this exclusion of Africans from the colonial records is not unique to the person of Nanny or even to the Maroons of Jamaica. It is part of the white imperialist and racist notions that characterized colonialism. It was held that persons of African descent, enslaved or free, were not even people, let alone, agents of history. As a result elemental persons in the building of a Jamaican cultural identity, such as Nanny, appear to be conjured up from the minds of Maroons rather than an eighteenth century military strategists and proponent of Black Power.    In the structuring of post-independence national histories, countries like Jamaica, there is a need to re-excavate and re-examine the written ‘primary sources’ and absorb the oral traditions that record history (through music, song, dance, poetry, storytelling and drama).
It is in the history of oral traditions that Nanny is recorded as a Maroon Spiritual Leader and Military Strategist as well as a main actor in the First Maroon War (1731-1739). Her stance against white power was underscored by the fact that she was purportedly the only Maroon leader that did not sign the 1739 Treaty that ended the First Maroon War. Nanny was part of the tradition of African Queen Mothers who possessed spiritual and military powers.  Therefore, in revisiting this Jamaican national history it will be argued that Nanny as a Maroon leader fiercely advanced an anti-imperialist movement against British colonists in an attempt to liberate the enslaved Black people in Jamaica. By extension, Nanny’s movement is Black Nationalistic in the sense that solidarity is based on race and not political status (enslaved or free). The construction of Nanny Town was one of the earliest Black independent communities’ which illustrated Nanny’s commitment to Pro-Autonomist Black Power. This research is also central in presenting the role of women in the early liberation movement.  


[1] Theodore G. Vincent, 2006. Black Power and the Garvey Movement. Black Classic Press. Baltimore MD., USA. First Published 1970.

Nanny of the Maroons

The ENvasa Research Institute (ERI) first research project is  titled "Positioning Grandy Nanny as a Proponent of Black Power."


Before I present the abstract and motivation to undertake this project please visit the Jamaica Information Service to be introduced to Queen Mother Nanny of the Maroons Nanny of the Maroons

ENvasa Research Institute-Nanny of the Maroons Project

The ENvasa Research Institute (ERI) first research project is  titled "Positioning Grandy Nanny as a Proponent of Black Power."

This project requires funding and we are in serious need of assistance in order to do so. We ask for and are grateful for assistance is cash, kind or information.

To help please contact via email at envasa_ja@yahoo.com.


The ERI is in need of the following professional grade equipment:
Digital Camera
Digital Camcorder
Digital Recorder
A laptop or a netbook

We are most grateful for any support in order to fulfill our mandate.

The ENvasa Foundation

The ENvasa Foundation is about the power of positive energy. Our goal is a simple one giving back, providing hope and sharing love. The ENvasa Foundation is dedicated to community development, teamwork and education.

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The core message of ENVasa Wellness is one of Blessings, Peace and Joy.
We encourage you to spend time each day to take care of yourself. Honour your health. Tend to your body, mind and spirit.
We are wellness and lifestyle consultants.
For more information please contact us at envasa_ja@yahoo.com

Caribbean Young Professionals

The Caribbean Young Professional (CYP) Inc. is a social networking media that is for the empowerment of Caribbean young professional in the English speaking Caribbean ages 21-35.


CYP is for:
Networking
Supporting
Development
Innovation
Sharing
Creatvity
Growth and
Empowerment .

ENvasa Media & Publications

This section of ENvasa Inc. is dedicated to showcasing Jamaican literary and creative arts. It is our desire to provide a platform for Jamaica artistic and cultural expression through words and sounds.

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ENvasa Draughting & Building is a construction and  architectural firm that provides quality architectural drawings, cost estimation and construction/building supervision services to Jamaican at affordable rates.
For further information we may be contacted at envasa_ja@yahoo.com

Saturday, February 19, 2011

ENvasa Research Institute

The ENvasa Research Institute is a historical and social research and information centre.
Our mission is to progressively and accurately provide information on historical  issues significant to Jamaican development and welfare. 

For 2011-2012 Projects include
  1. (Not) Forgotten Stories of Rural Jamaica
  2. Women in Jamaica
  3. Jamaica 50: An ethnohistorical story of Jamaica 1962-2012
  4. Positioning Grandy Nanny as a Proponent of Black Power
  5. Maroon Heritage: A Case for the Establishment of a Maroon Museum (Nanny Town Portland).

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Welcome

My name is Chantel DaCosta and I am Jamaican Researcher and Writer. I am 23 years old. I am a firm believer in the metaphysical principle of the Law of Attraction.


With this as my foundation I am Innovator and an Entrepreneur. I am the owner and CEO of ENvasa Inc. ENvasa is a Jamaican based corporation that functions on dynamic multiple industry levels:

ENvasa Research Institute
ENvasa Draughting and Building
ENvasa Media and Publications
Caribbean Young Professionals Inc.
ENvasa Wellness
Urban Freedom
The ENvasa Foundation