- Buju Banton stated that his tribe, Maroons originated from the Igbo tribe of Nigeria.
- He lamented that their Indigenous land is now being threatened by the current Jamaican government.
Jamaican reggae legend Buju Banton has opened up on his connection to the Nigerian Igbo tribe.
During an appearance on the ‘Drink Champs‘ podcast, he explained that his ancestral lineage, the Maroons, originated from the Igbo people.
Buju Banton expressed concerns about the threat to his community’s Indigenous land and way of life, citing the Jamaican government’s efforts to bring in foreign entities, including Chinese investors, to the Cockpit region.
He pointed out the significance of this region as a sacred Indigenous site and the Maroons’ role as warriors who fought against British colonization.
Banton acknowledged his Igbo heritage, stating that his generation’s roots trace back to Nigeria.
He identified himself as an Igbo man based on his bloodline, highlighting the rich cultural connection between his Jamaican identity and Nigerian ancestry.
He said:
“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.
“Maroons are some of the Indigenous warriors on my Island. We fought the British relentlessly. We are called Blackmaroons. My generation originated from Nigeria. I am an Igbo man according to my bloodline.”
In another story, Nigerian Rapper, Idowest reveals why he now identify as Igbo.
In a series of posts on his Snapchat page, Idowest expressed frustration with the current state of the country and the opposition to the planned #EndBadGovernance protest from some members of his own Yoruba community.
He criticized those opposing the protest, expressing disappointment with individuals prioritizing short-term gains over long-term progress.
He declared his intention to identify as Igbo, stating disconnection from his Yoruba heritage.