Bayano

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Bayano, also known as Ballano or Vaino, was an African enslaved by Portuguese who led the biggest slave revolts of the 16th century Panama. Captured from the Yoruba community in West Africa, it has been argued that his name means idol.^[1] Different tales tell of their revolt in 1552 beginning either on the ship en route, or after landing in Panama's Darien province along its modern-day border with Colombia. Rebel slaves, known as cimarrones, or maroons, set up autonomous regions known as palenques, many of which successfully fended off Spanish control for centuries using guerrilla war and alliances with pirates, or indigenous nations who were in similar circumstances.

Bayano's forces numbered between four and twelve hundred Cimarrons, depending upon different sources, and set up a palenque known as Ronconcholon near modern-day Chepo River, also known as Rio Bayano. They fought their guerrilla war for over five years while building their community. However, the most important primary source, written in 1581 by Pedro de Aguado, devotes space to their religious life, and describes the activities of a "bishop" who guided the community in prayer, baptized them, and delivered sermons, in a manner that Aguado believed to be essentially Christian.^[2] The Spaniards, with Captain Carreño at their head, managed to destroy Rolcolcholon and after a surprise attack managed to capture Bayano himself, who was taken by Captain Carreño to Governor Sosa who was then in Nombre de Dios. The conciliatory Governor forgave Bayano his crimes and robberies and signed a peace agreement with him, setting him free. It only served to allow him to continue his campaigns of robberies and assaults with more viciousness than before.^[3]

In 1556, the newly appointed Viceroy of Peru, the Marquis of Cañete, commissioned Pedro de Ursua to attack and defeat Bayano. With few Spaniards willing to go on the expedition, the viceroy authorized the conscription of criminals to bolster the Spanish forces.^[4] Initial engagements favored the Cimarrons who engaged in hit-and-run tactics to harass the Spanish. After reaching Bayano's main settlement, Ursua entreated under flag of truce. Ursua offered to free Bayano and his people and relocate them nearer to Nombre de Dios. After both sides agreed, Ursua proposed a feast to celebrate the occasion. Having brought a special poison, Ursua secretly drugged Bayano and his captains. When the leaders were stupefied by the drug the Spaniards attacked killing and capturing many maroons. Bayano was captured alive. Many maroons evaded the Spanish remaining at large.^[5]

Bayano was sent by the president of Panama to the viceroy of Peru who received him with curiosity to see who and how was the man who had remained for so long in opposition to the authorities, and treated him very courteously, sending him to Spain where he remained until the end of his days in the city of Seville, maintained at the expense of the Royal Treasury for life.^[6]

Bayano's name has become immortal in the Panamanian consciousness through the naming of a major river, a lake, a valley, a dam, and several companies after him.