Bakkan: The Last Runaway Slave

Chapter 1: Introduction

The Ten Years’ War was a significant chapter in Cuba’s tumultuous history, one of the three monumental struggles for independence from Spanish domination. This conflict, ignited by the Cry of Yara on the night of October 9th and 10th, 1868, at Carlos Manuel de Céspedes’ La Demajagua estate in Manzanillo, was a beacon of hope and defiance. The rebellion sparked a fervor that spread like wildfire, drawing in countless Cubans who yearned for freedom and self-determination.

However, the Zanjon Pact, which marked the end of this fierce conflict, carried a bitter pill. It ensured the capitulation of the Cuban Liberation Army, known as the Mambises, and in doing so, guaranteed the Spanish government that its two principal war objectives—Cuban independence and the abolition of slavery—would remain unfulfilled. The pact was a stark reminder of the complexities and challenges that lay ahead in the quest for true liberation.

Through the resilience and relentless spirit of those who fought and sacrificed, Cuba continued its journey towards freedom, eventually breaking the chains of slavery and moving closer to achieving its dream of independence.

Chapter 2: Victoria de las Tunas

Victoria de las Tunas is a quaint village nestled near the historic San Gerónimo church, which has stood since 1796. The village, with its cobblestone streets and colonial-era charm, might appear peaceful at first glance. However, beneath this serene facade lies a history marked by turmoil and suffering.

In the wake of ten years of violent conflicts, the landowners in the region refused to liberate their slaves. Instead, they intensified their brutal control, meting out even harsher punishments as a twisted form of revenge. The echoes of their cruelty still linger in the tales passed down through generations.

Located in the eastern part of Cuba, this village is known by many names besides Victoria de las Tunas. Its past is shrouded in legends and stories, one of which claims that it was once part of the prosperous province of Camagüey. According to our forefathers, Camagüey, along with Holguín, are among the most affluent provinces in the nation, thriving with wealth and influence.

Victoria de las Tunas remains a place where the old and new intertwine, a testament to both the resilience and the haunting memories of those who once walked its cobbled streets in chains

Chapter 3: The Shadow of Slavery

The scorching sun beat down relentlessly on the vast cane fields, where rows of chained men and women toiled under the unforgiving whip of the foremen. Their backs bore the scars of countless lashes, and their hands were calloused and bleeding from the grueling labor. The air was thick with the smell of sweat, blood, and damp earth. The Grito de Yara, proclaimed by Carlos Manuel de Céspedes in 1868, had ignited a spark of hope, but the years that followed were tinged with frustration and pain.

On the plantations, the chains weighed not only on bodies but also on dreams. The slaves, deprived of their freedom, spoke in whispers of a land without masters, of a future where the beating of their hearts was not chained to the rhythm of the whip. Each dawn brought with it the same routine of grueling work and suffering, yet in the hearts of the slaves, there persisted a spark of rebellion that no whip could extinguish.

Chapter 4: Slaves whispered stories about Bakkan

The cobblestone streets of Victoria de las Tunas, with their ancient ceiba, the sacred tree of life, trees standing like silent sentinels, and humble colonial houses, were a stark contrast to the violence that lurked in the plantations. This picturesque village, with its vibrant market and bustling town square, masked the desperation of those subjected to endless days in the fields, where the sound of whips and screams of pain formed a haunting symphony.

Slaves in the region shared whispered stories about Bakkan, a young man with an intense gaze that seemed to see through the veil of oppression and strong hands that bore the marks of relentless labor. He often muttered verses learned from the Gelfes, his ancestral tribe. Although still chained, his spirit had already begun to break free. His eyes reflected an inner fire that could not be quenched, a willpower that inspired others to dream of freedom.

Chapter 5: The Cruel Landowner

Don Rodolfo Valencia ruled his plantation like a tyrant; his cruelty and lack of mercy were known to all. The Valencia estate, with its vast lands bathed by the Chaparra River, was a sprawling prison for slaves. The sun-drenched fields stretched as far as the eye could see, dotted with the silhouettes of laboring slaves. The Gelfes, brought from Africa, were especially despised by Valencia because of their resistance and pride.

Bakkan, the youngest among them, endured his master’s punishments in silence. Each crack of the whip against his back was a searing reminder of his bondage, but after each scourge, his eyes showed no submission but a fire that seemed to burn more strongly. This fire would soon consume the chains that bound him. Each day, he bore the pain with dignity, knowing that his spirit could not be broken.

Chapter 6: The Bakkan Uprising

The day of the uprising came like thunder in the middle of a clear day. The air was still and heavy, charged with an unspoken tension. When Bakkan confronted Don Rafael, the foreman, the air seemed to crackle with energy. With a primal roar, Bakkan broke the chains on his wrists with superhuman strength and killed Don Rafael. The iron links shattered, and the metallic clang resonated through the fields. The screams of the slaves echoed through the vast expanse as Bakkan fled into the dense forest, his heart pounding with the adrenaline of newfound freedom.

That night, under a sky blanketed with a million stars, he swore that he would never be a slave to anyone. His escape marked the beginning of his legend as a man who refused to be subdued by oppression. Every step he took in the jungle was a challenge to tyranny, a declaration of his right to be free. The jungle, with its towering trees and thick underbrush, became his sanctuary, where he could breathe the sweet air of liberty.

Chapter 7: Life of a Runaway Slave

The jungle became his home and ally. The dense foliage provided cover, the rivers quenched his thirst, and the wildlife became his sustenance. Every day was a struggle to survive, but also a step closer to freedom. In his cave, hidden behind a cascading waterfall, he carved Gelfes symbols into the stones, a testament to his heritage and his unyielding purpose. He learned to navigate the labyrinthine paths of the jungle, hunting wild boar and foraging for fruits and herbs, always alert to the dangers that lurked in the shadows.

Over time, his name was whispered reverently among plantation slaves. The story of Bakkan, the maroon, spread like wildfire. The slaves found in his history a reason to resist, a hope to dream. Bakkan became a symbol of resistance, a reminder that freedom was possible even in the darkest of circumstances. His tale inspired many to find their courage and stand up against their oppressors.

Once, Bakkan was hunting when he came upon a group of Spanish soldiers. Cradling his machete firmly, he prepared himself for the impending onslaught of bullets from the soldiers’ muskets as he climbed a little rise. But the Spanish soldiers were honor-bound. It is quite difficult for a contemporary man to crack this code. Rather of opening fire, they systematically approached the fleeing African and fought him hand-to-hand with their swords. Bakkan, who was visibly overweight and stocky, managed to hurt and defang every single one of them. After realizing the campaign was a flop, they let him go, with the words you are a free man. Those were the guiding principles by which our ancestors, the Spanish soldiers, lived.

Chapter 8: Freedom and Redemption

A group of local farmers found Bakkan about 10 years after slavery was abolished in Cuba. Without a doubt, Bakkan’s incredible appearance and the wounds from his battles left an impression on everyone when he returned. He walked through the village streets, his head held high, his presence commanding respect and awe. His baptism in the Church of San Gerónimo marked not only a new beginning but also the acceptance of his place in a society that was still rebuilding. Victor, as he was named, became a beacon of hope for many, a living symbol of the struggle for freedom.

Chapter 9: The New Life of a Runaway Slave

Victor found peace and a new purpose as a coachman, guiding elegant horse-drawn carriages through the cobblestone streets of Las Tunas. The rhythmic clatter of hooves on stone and the creak of wooden wheels became the soundtrack of his new life. He married a beautiful mulatta woman, whose laughter was like a balm to his soul, and together they had two sons, Miguel and Bakkán. Despite the peace, his heart remained restless, driven by memories of his people’s struggle and the scars of past battles. Every scar on his body was a testament to his journey, a reminder of the price of freedom.

Chapter 10: The Call to Arms

In 1895, when Cuba again fought for its freedom, Victor could not ignore the call. The distant sound of drums and the passionate cries for liberty stirred his soul. With machete in hand, he marched alongside Antonio Maceo, the renowned Cuban general. In the dense jungles and rugged mountains, his voice rose above the din of battle, encouraging the younger ones to keep fighting. The struggle for independence was intense and exhausting, marked by fierce skirmishes and harrowing marches, but Victor never wavered in his commitment to the freedom of his homeland.

Chapter 11: The Invasion of East to West

The invasion from the East to the West was a decisive moment in the struggle for Cuba’s independence. The rebels, a motley crew of determined fighters, advanced through treacherous terrain, their path fraught with danger. They faced fierce resistance from well-armed Spanish forces. The sounds of gunfire and the screams of the wounded filled the air, mingling with the roar of cannons and the clash of steel. Victor fought with unmatched ferocity, every movement a testament to his unwavering determination. His machete flashed like lightning, cutting through the enemy lines with lethal precision.

Chapter 12: The Final Sacrifice

Victor fell in battle, wounded by seven bullets that tore through his chest. The pain was unbearable, a searing agony that threatened to engulf him, but he continued to fight, his resolve as unyielding as ever. Determined to see his people free, he swung his machete with the last of his strength. His companions, inspired by his bravery, rallied around him, repelling the enemy with renewed vigor.

In his last moments, Victor looked up at the sky, now a canvas of swirling smoke and fire, and remembered his ancestors, the Gelfes who had dreamed of freedom. His sacrifice was not in vain; his spirit lives in every corner of a free Cuba. He was buried with all the honors of a Mambí warrior in the province of Las Villas, his comrades and leaders paying homage to a fallen hero.

Epilogue

Bakkan’s life, from slave to hero, is a reminder that freedom is never a gift but a right to be won with courage and sacrifice. His story continues to inspire, reminding us that even in the darkest hours, there is always light at the end of the road. His legacy is etched in the hearts of the people, a beacon of hope and resilience for generations to come.

Appendix

The Ten Years’ War: A detailed chronology.
The Pact of Zanjón: Context, agreements, and consequences.
Life in Victoria de las Tunas: A closer look at the social and economic conditions of the time.
The Valencia Family: A biography of Rodolfo Valencia and the impact of his actions on his slaves.
The Gelfe Tribe: Etnic Studies