Gallery
Choco Mata (photos 1-4) is the Shamaness of Isla Holandesa. Many people, including historical researcher Prof. I. B. D. M. Foote and archaeologist Prof. Rev. Dr. Binyamin Navarra, believe she is over 1500 years old. She has not denied it. The photos above were taken by author A. Lance Rhys-Burgen, between 1919 and 1920 for possible use of as a cover for his book Darjana, Queen of the Jungle, a work of fiction, supposedly based loosely on his thoughts of her life. Rumors of a sexual liaison between them in the 1920's or that he is the father of some of her children are unproven. Photos 5-7 are of former black power activist Zuri Jamila Mwafrika Shakur Ruiz aka Cacica Jamila who was imprisoned in the 1950's and released 1970 during the Year of Restoration. She quickly became a political mover and shaker on the island as well as a the leader of one of the Black Indigenous Territories. She was voted and appointed a cacica, by the other cacicas on the island and given a seat on the Board of Indian Affairs [now known as the Board of Indigenous Affars]. She was head of the Panel of Social Equality and Inclusion.
