Drums of Defiance: Maroon Music from the Earliest Free Black Communities of Jamaica

Featuring complex, West African influenced drumming and dancing, this little-known rural tradition is at the heart of modern, politically charged reggae music. The conviction heard here reveals a long history of struggle. During the 17th and 18th centuries, some of the Africans brought to Jamaica as slaves escaped to the mountains. There they settled, and over time, they became known as "Maroons." Today, four major Maroon colonies still exist in Jamaica's rugged western Cockpit Country and in the eastern Blue Mountains. Some selections on this recording were previously issued in 1981 on Folkways 4027. "..[A]n aural kaleidoscope, presenting small glimpses into the colorful world of the Maroon music of Jamaica." — Sing Out.

RELATED LESSON PLAN
"The Sounds of an Island: Jamaican Music for the Classroom"

Track Listing

101	Hear when de duppy bawl (Hear the spirit crying out)	Group of Maroons of Moore Town	01:49
102	Fire da bun	Group of Maroons of Moore Town	01:52
103	Remember rain, John Warren	Group of Maroons of Moore Town	01:39
104	Moko Johnny	Group of Maroons of Moore Town	01:46
105	Morning star	Group of Maroons of Moore Town	01:43
106	See dem gyal a molain	Group of Maroons of Moore Town	01:42
107	Me aks me dasha weh him min go	Group of Maroons of Moore Town	02:49
108	Nyam one day, bui sanga	Group of Maroons of Moore Town	03:57
109	Kin an beri (Skin and belly)	Group of Maroons of Moore Town	01:08
110	Banda gone a wood	Group of Maroons of Moore Town	02:05
111	Ya ya dempo	Group of Maroons of Moore Town	02:04
112	Wiri-oo sankoma	Group of Maroons of Moore Town	02:06
113	Maki Bo	Group of Maroons of Moore Town	01:02
114	Jo Leh	Group of Maroons of Moore Town	01:44
115	Siyumande	Group of Maroons of Moore Town	01:47
116	Abeng (Signaling Horn)	Maroon abeng player	00:59
117	Drum language	Maroon printing-man	00:27
118	Drum language	Maroon printing-man	01:08
119	Shedo	Group of Maroons of Moore Town	01:41
120	Anabo yedeng	Group of Maroons of Moore Town	01:41
121	Falla me	Group of Maroons of Charles Town	01:21
122	Dede bi ankama	Group of Maroons of Charles Town	01:00
123	Ba wiri-oo	Group of Maroons of Scott's Hall	02:12
124	Oh Duppy	Group of Maroons of Scott's Hall	01:13
125	Siyumande yoyo	Group of Maroons of Scott's Hall	01:31
126	Grandy Nanny	Group of Maroons of Scott's Hall	01:05
127	A mini wai-oo	Group of Maroons of Accompong	00:52
128	Ingia Mayongo	Accompong Maroon singer	00:32
129	Squire Smith	Group of Maroons of Accompong	04:55
130	Clear road	Group of Maroons of Accompong	02:35
131	Wah me gwine do?	Group of Maroons of Accompong	02:48
132	Maroon law	Group of Maroons of Accompong	01:48
133	Baakini	Group of Maroons of Accompong	02:02
134	Fight for war	Group of Maroons of Accompong	02:11
135	Nyabingi Medley	Group of Maroons of Accompong	06:56