Boni (guerrilla leader)

Bokilifu Boni (usually just Boni) (c. 1730 – 19 February 1793) was a freedom fighter and guerrilla leader in Suriname, when it was under Dutch colonial rule. Born in Cottica to an enslaved African mother who escaped from her Dutch master,^[1] he grew up with her among the Maroons in the forest. He was such a powerful leader that his followers were known as Boni's people after him (they later became known as the Aluku). They built a fort in the lowlands and conducted raids against Dutch plantations along the coast. Under pressure from Dutch regular army and hundreds of freedmen, they went east across the river into French Guiana. Boni continued to conduct raids from there, but was ultimately killed in warfare.