Benkos Biohó

Benkos Biohó (late 16th century — 1621), also known as Domingo Biohó, was a semi-legendary historical figure, considered a Mandinka leader, described in literature as having escaped from the slave port of Cartagena with ten other enslaved people.

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 was 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 ineffectual missions to attack the fortified mountain hideaway.