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Benkos Biohó
Parque apolo 3.JPG
Statue of Benkos Biohó
Born
Bissagos Islands, Guinea Bissau
Died 16 March 1621
Other names King of Arcabuco
Benkos Bioho
Statue of Benkos Biohó

Benkos Biohó (who lived in the late 1500s and early 1600s), also known as Domingo Biohó, was a brave leader from Africa. He was taken from his home and forced into slavery. He managed to escape from the port city of Cartagena with ten other people. Together, they started a new settlement called San Basilio de Palenque. This place was known as the "village of the maroons" (people who escaped slavery). It is located in what is now northern Colombia.

In 1713, the King of Spain officially declared San Basilio de Palenque the first free village in the Americas. This happened because the Spanish troops could not defeat the maroons in their strong mountain hideaway.

Who Was Benkos Biohó?

Benkos Biohó was born into a royal family in Guinea Bissau, a country in Africa. He was from the Mandinka people.

His Journey to Freedom

In 1596, Benkos Biohó was captured by a Portuguese slave trader. He was then sold to different people. Eventually, he was brought to what is now Colombia in South America.

His first chance to escape came when the boat carrying him down the Magdalena River sank. He was caught again, but he did not give up. In 1599, he escaped once more. He found refuge in the swampy lands southeast of Cartagena.

Building a Community

Benkos Biohó was a great organizer. He built an army that became very powerful in the Montes de María region. He also created a secret network to gather information. This network helped other enslaved people escape and guided them to the free territory. This liberated area was known as a settlement or "palenque." Benkos Biohó was seen as the leader, using the title "king of Arcabuco."

A Peace Treaty

On July 18, 1605, the Governor of Cartagena, Gerónimo de Suazo y Casasola, realized he could not defeat Benkos Biohó and his people. So, he offered them a peace treaty.

The treaty recognized the freedom of the Matuna Bioho Palenque. It even allowed Benkos Biohó to enter Cartagena armed and dressed like a Spaniard. In return, the palenque promised not to accept more runaway enslaved people or help others escape. They also agreed that Benkos Biohó would no longer be called "king" by them. The peace agreement was finalized in 1612.

The Treaty is Broken

Sadly, the Spanish broke the treaty in 1619. They captured Benkos Biohó when he was walking in the city. On March 16, 1621, he was put to death. Governor García Girón ordered his execution. He believed Benkos Biohó was too respected by the people. He worried that Benkos Biohó's influence would turn the African communities against the city.

This broken promise made people lose trust in the government.

Legacy of Freedom

By the late 1600s, the Montes de María region had over 600 maroons. They were led by Domingo Padilla, who called himself captain. His wife, Jane, was called viceroy. They successfully resisted further attempts by the colonial authorities to control them.

In 2005, San Basilio de Palenque was recognized by UNESCO as a Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. This means it is a very important place for human culture and history.

Today, about 80 kilometers (50 miles) east of Cartagena, you can still find hills that were important lookout spots for the runaway communities. These hills still carry the names of the old settlements, like Sincerin, Mahates, and Gambote.

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