ABSTRACT
After the treaties of 1739, Maroons had free access to the island markets and obtaining salt was never a problem, but their free-ranging hunting area was progressively limited as was the natural habitat of the wild hogs, by settlers who crowded in to occupy the formerly dangerous territory near the Maroon settlements. Nevertheless, Maroons continued to hunt hogs in the less inhabited regions of the mountains, and sold jerked hog in the island markets. Henry Gosse, writing in 1851, recalls the fine figure cut by the Maroon huntsman vending his wares:4
He was generally seen in the towns armed with a fowling piece and cutlass, and belts that suspended on one side a large plaited bag, known as a cuttacoo, and on the other a calabash, guarded with a netted covering, in which he carried his supply of water. On his back braced round his shoulders, and suspended by a bandage over the forehead, was generally seen the wicker cradle, that held inclosed a side of jerked hog, which he sold passing along, in measured slice to ready customers, as an especial delicacy for the breakfast table.
