In this brief study guide, the focus is on the "maroons," those Africans who bravely threw off the chains of slavery and established independent communities within colonial Latin America. The specific study is of the history and culture of Esmeraldas, a province in northwestern Ecuador and home to one of the most interesting maroon communities, and where African traditions can still be seen and felt. The publication was created to coincide with the March-April 1993 U.S. tour of Juan Garcia Salazar, an Afro-Ecuadorian who collects and studies oral poetry, myths, rituals, folk medicine, music and household artifacts of Afro-Ecuadorian communities. One short story from Ecuador in both Spanish and English is included. Contains 31 references and a list of 6 organizations for further information. (EH)