Benkos Biohó

Benkos Biohó (late 16th century — 1621), also known as Domingo Biohó was a character created between legend and history considered a Mandinka leader who is described in literature to have escaped from the slave port of Cartagena with ten others.

While there is no direct relationship between him and the municipality of San Basilio de Palenque, contemporary literary culture has led to the belief that he is the founder of the town, though this is inaccurate.

In 1713 San Basilio de Palenque became the first free village in the Americas by decree from the King of Spain, when he gave up sending his troops on futile missions to attack their fortified mountain hideaway.