Did you know that cornrows and braids were being used as a map for escape during slavery?

Slaves may have been prevented from reading, writing, and communicating with one another; however, because we are a crafty people we found another way to communicate and find liberation.

San Basilio de Palenque is a village in Northern Colombia that was founded by Benkos Biho. It is believed to be the first freed slave city of the Americas.

Benkos was a king in Africa who was sold into slavery. He would be sold several more times before escaping to start this village that in turn, would serve as refuge and safety for other escaped slaves.

Today, the village has about 3,500 inhabitants and is the only city founded by escaped slaves, that is still standing in Colombia. Most of the population are Afro-Colombians, with African heritage that can be traced back to the slave trade.

By utilizing women and capitalizing on the fact they were not often checked upon and allowed to wander more freely than men, Benkos Biho had in mind a well planned idea.

While the women slaves were “wandering,” in fact, they were mapping out escape routes.

Writing or drawing out the map could lead to them being discovered and then most likely sold again, or killed out of anger from their master.

How could they move and plan covertly with minimal risk of being discovered?

The women would weave the maps in their hair, carving out paths with their cornrows. Some patterns were even utilized to deliver secret messages.

These cornrow styles are still done today and tourists visiting the small village can have authentic styles recreated by women living in the town. San Basilio de Palenque is about 50 miles from Cartegena.


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