The lived experiences and traditions of Nanny, were largely spent on activities outside of warfare, noted Dr. Leo R. Douglas, an Assistant Clinical Professor at New York University (NYU).In contrast, the lived experiences of maroon leaders of the day revolved around African spirituality, facilitating community wellness, and deepening their understanding of the Jamaican interior, the forests, and local flora and fauna that provided them with medicine, shelter, food, faith, ancestral memory, camouflage and escape.Within the current climate and biodiversity extinction crises, and concerns about the rapid degradation of Jamaican watersheds and water access, this project (Nanny: Her Sword – A Seed) aims to mainstream a discussion of Maroon traditional ecological knowledge, practices and beliefs with respect to their deep and existential relationships with the natural and the eco-spiritual worlds. Dr. Douglas noted that the project is seeking to retell the story of Nanny in keeping with her significant roles, both real and symbolic. This visual arts project thus situates Nanny as shaman of the forests, as healer, as priestess and protector of the springs and watersheds, and commander of the natural forces of the Blue and John Crow Mountain watersheds.In this episode of Impacting Jamaica, Dr. Douglas told host Zadie Neufville that the current international call for visual artists to submit entries aims to produce a gallery-type art piece in honour of National Hero Nanny for the 60th anniversary of independent of Jamaica. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.