A Functional Afrikan Term for the Word Maroon

A Functional Afrikan Term for the Word Maroon

The word that we use for the word "Maroon" is the composite term 𞤳𞤭𞤤𞤽𞤦𞤮𞤲𞤵 Kilɔmbonu. It is composed of the Ki Kɔngo word "𞤳𞤭𞤤𞤽𞤦𞤮 kilɔmbo - an intentional encampment of separation" and the Ajã - Fɔ̀n word "𞤲𞤵 nu - something, a thing, entity". The word "nu" also connotes "belonging or connected to". This word can be used to refer to the concept of Maroonage as well as a Maroon person or one whose way of life is based in Maroonage.

The Kilɔmbo of Brazil, spelled Quilombo by the Portuguese, were sovereign spaces created by Afrikans who either had escaped Brazilian plantation captivity ("slavery") or escaped upon landing on Brazilian soil, thus never having been on any plantations. These sovereign spaces were actually  organized Afrikan monarchies with monarchs (kings/queens), chiefs, organized priesthood, councils of elders, kwk; the most documented being Palmares. They literally physically fought the Portuguese for a few hundred years before being defeated due to the sellouts among them.

The word kilɔmbonu projects a specific paradigm based in a cultural view of the world that, by default, includes the spiritual and political; not political in the Democratic/Republican sense. It is political in that it is rooted strictly in an Afrikan only family development, and nation building process with sovereignty as its intended goal.

We use the term "Maroon" due to history, language, and popular parlance. However, we seek to change that and make our terminology and terminologies similarly oriented by others, the new history, new but old language, and new parlance.

ekaabokilombo@gmail.com

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