Chief Jacko facts for kids

Chief Jacko (also spelled Jaco or Jacco) was a brave leader in Dominica. He was born in Africa and became a slave. Later, he escaped and became a Maroon chief. Maroons were people who escaped slavery and formed their own communities. Jacko was known as "the oldest chief" and "supreme head" of the Maroons. He even called himself the "governor of the woods."

History

Jacko was born in Guinea, a country in West Africa. He was brought to Dominica in the late 1760s. He was forced to work on an estate called Beau Bois in Castle Comfort. But Jacko soon escaped.

He created a secret camp high up in the mountains. This camp was on a natural flat area near Belles. Jacko's camp was called "Jacko Flats." From here, he led raids on colonial estates. He also offered a safe place for other people who had escaped slavery.

Jacko's Grand Camp was a main target for the British. This was during the Second Maroon War, which started in 1812. Jacko had lived in the forest for over 40 years. He was killed on July 12, 1814, during a surprise attack.

Legacy

Jacko Flats

Jacko Flats is a flat area near the village of Belles in Dominica. It is located in the Layou Valley. This was the exact spot where Chief Jacko's main camp once stood. It reminds people of his leadership and the community he built.

Jacko Steps

The Jacko Steps were built by the people living in Chief Jacko's camp. These 135 steps are cut right into the mountain rock. Each step is about 3 feet tall. They were used as a secret way to get to and from the Grand Camp. The hike up these steps takes about 45 minutes and covers one mile.

Neg Mawon Emancipation Monument

In 2013, a statue of Jacko was put up in Roseau. It stands on a roundabout where Victoria Street, Turkey Lane, and Castle Street meet. The artist Franklyn Zamore created it. This statue was part of the 175th anniversary of Dominica ending slavery.

The monument is a symbol of the fight for freedom. It also shows strength and triumph. It is about a five-minute walk from the Old Roseau Market. This market was a place where enslaved people faced great hardships. The statue stands as a reminder of their courage and spirit.