In a recent episode of the Drinking Champs podcast, Jamaican reggae icon Buju Banton opened up about his cultural roots, revealing his ancestral connection to the Igbo tribe of Nigeria. The 51-year-old dancehall legend, known for hits like “Untold Stories,” “Destiny,” “Psalm 23,” and “Hills and Valleys,” shared that the Maroon community, to which he belongs, originated from the Igbo people of Nigeria.
Banton voiced concerns about what he sees as a threat to the Indigenous Maroon land in Jamaica. He criticized the Jamaican government for allowing foreign nationals, particularly from China, into the Cockpit region—an area considered sacred by the Maroons. He warned that this influx could lead to the displacement of the Maroon community, who have historically been known as fierce warriors defending their land.
“Our Indigenous way of life and our land are being threatened by the current government of Jamaica, which seeks to bring Chinese and other nationalities into the Cockpit region, which is an Indigenous sacred region, to usurp us, the Maroons as the warriors,” Banton stated.
He highlighted the historical significance of the Maroons, noting that they fought the British for 40 years, which, according to a British treaty, should have secured their sovereignty. Banton described the Maroons as “Blackmaroons,” tracing his lineage to the Igbo people of Nigeria.
In addition to his concerns over land rights, Banton also took aim at the global Afrobeats movement. While acknowledging its popularity, he criticized Afrobeats for lacking depth and failing to address the struggles faced by Africans. He also accused Afrobeats stars of appropriating Jamaican culture without showing respect.
Buju Banton’s remarks have sparked discussions about cultural heritage, Indigenous rights, and the ongoing impact of global influences on local communities in Jamaica and beyond.
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