Jamaican reggae legend Buju Banton has revealed his deep connection to Nigeria, sharing that he traces his ancestry to the Igbo tribe. During a recent appearance on the “Drink Champs” podcast, co-hosted by N.O.R.E and DJ EFN, Banton discussed the origins of his tribe, the Maroons, who he said descended from the Igbo people of Nigeria.
Banton expressed concern over the current state of his Indigenous land in Jamaica, which he says is under threat from the government. He criticized the authorities for bringing in Chinese and other foreign nationals into the Cockpit Country, an area sacred to the Maroons.
“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, an Indigenous sacred region, to usurp us, the Maroons, as the warriors,” Banton stated.
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He went on to highlight the historical significance of the Maroons, describing them as fierce Indigenous warriors who relentlessly fought against the British.
“Maroons are some of the Indigenous warriors on my Island. We fought the British relentlessly. We are called Black Maroons. My generation originated from Nigeria. I am an Igbo man according to my bloodline,” Banton affirmed.
