Marronage in Esmeraldas, Ecuador: A Historical Review

This article deals with the history of marronage in the province of Esmeraldas in attempt to make sense of what has been called the “racial/spatial order” in Esmeraldas. (Rahier 2014). The argument stringing together the article is that autonomy has been the bedrock of claims to territoriality for the Black population of the region, a territoriality that is deeply imbricated with the experiences of marronage in the region. Further, the chapter will highlight the political, economic and ideological challenges faced by a group attempting to change its position and how such challenges shape the very nature of the struggle that is being carried out. Thus, our concern is with Esmeraldas’ history through the lens of marronage wherein marronage is explored, among other things, through the question of territory and autonomy.