Maroons in Guyane: Past, Present, Future

Maroons are communities of men and women who escaped slavery, living in semi-independent enclaves in Jamaica, Brazil, Colombia, Belize, Suriname, Guyana, and elsewhere. In 1986, anthropologists Richard and Sally Price discovered the need to replace stereotypes about Maroons in Guyane with accurate information, leading to the publication of "Les Marrons" in 2003 and a new edition in 2020.

Format: Hardback
Length: 200 pages
Publication date: 30 April 2022
Publisher: University of Georgia Press

For over four centuries, communities of maroons, comprising men and women who escaped slavery, have existed on the peripheries of plantation America, spanning from Brazil to the Caribbean and the United States. Today, their descendants continue to form semi-independent enclaves, such as Jamaica, Brazil, Colombia, Belize, Suriname, Guyana, and other regions. These maroon communities remain proud of their heritage and, in some instances, uphold unique cultural traditions that emerged during the early days of Afro-American history.

In 1986, anthropologists Richard and Sally Price sought refuge in neighboring Guyane (French Guiana) after being expelled by the military regime of Suriname. During the next fifteen years, their conversations with local individuals convinced them of the urgent need to replace the prevalent stereotypes about maroons in Guyane with accurate information. In 2003, their book, Les Marrons, became a local bestseller. In 2020, following additional visits, the Prices authored a new edition, considering the many rapid changes.

Published for the first time in English, Maroons in Guyane offers a comprehensive review of the history of maroon peoples in Guyane, elucidates their distinct characteristics, and analyzes their current circumstances in the vibrant and multicultural world of this remote outpost of the French Republic. The volume concludes with a gallery showcasing the magnificent arts of the maroons.

Dimension: 235 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780820362458