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NEW JAMAICAN
MAROONS CELEBRATE 270th ANNIVERSARY IN ACCOMPONG, JAMAICA 
On Sunday, January 6, residents of the maroon community of Accompong in St. Elizabeth, as well as persons from across the island, will gather for the annual celebration marking Captain Cudjo's birthday and the 270th year of the signing of the peace treaty with Britain.
It was in 1738 after over 80 years of almost constant fighting that the then governing Assembly of Jamaica, under instructions from the Queen of England, made overtures to Captain Cudjo for an end to the conflict. Two officers were dispatched to negotiate an amicable settlement. As part of the arrangement, which was signed and witnessed in blood at the 'Peace Cave', the Accompong Maroon Treaty came into being and significant benefits, such as many acres of land and internal self government, were given to a ruling Maroon Council. Currently, there are 20 members in the Council, which is headed by a Colonel, Sidney Peddie. Colonel Peddie said the 270th anniversary would be special this time around. There will be many authentic items on display as well as the traditional foods and cultural performances by not just the Accompong maroons but also from other maroon communities, such as Scott's Hall and Moore Town in Jamaica. Representatives from the Maroons of Suriname and Ghanan will also be in attendance at the celebrations Colonel Peddie said visitors are being encouraged to arrive early on January 6. The Maroons The word Maroon comes from the Spanish word cimarron which means wild: untamed. They were slaves who either ran away from or were released by the Spanish before the English invaded Jamaica in 1655. They were successful, in retaining their independence for a 150 years of slavery by constantly defending their freedom. Their settlements were small not more than 2,000 strong but they fought as if they were in greater numbers. Slaves belonging to Spaniards joined in guerrilla warfare against the invaders. In 1685 a group of these, under Juan de Bolas, made a treaty with the English. From this time on they were joined by runaways from English masters, while others formed their own separate bands. By 1720 there were two distinct groups of Maroons one in the centre of the island and the other in the northeast. The First Maroon War In 1731 there was started what has become known as the First Maroon War. It lasted on and off for eight years, though in fact it really began in 1655 and continued for 84 years. In 1739-40 the British government in Jamaica, since it could not defeat these warriors, came to an agreement with them. They were to remain in their five main towns (Accompong, Trelawny Town, Moore Town, Scots Hall, Nanny Town), living under their own chief and a British supervisor. In exchange, they were asked to agree not to harbour new runaway slaves, but rather to help catch them. This last clause in the treaty, as you can imagine, caused a split between the Maroons and the rest to the black population, although from time to time runaways from the plantations still found their way in the Maroon settlements. The person responsible for the compromise with the British was the Maroon leader, Cudjoe, a short, almost dwarf-like man who for years fought skillfully and bravely to maintain his people's independence. As he grew older, however, Cudjoe became increasingly disillusioned. He ran into quarrels with his lieutenants and with other Maroon groups. He felt that the only hope for the future was honorable peace with the enemy, which was just what the British were also thinking. The 1739 treaty should be seen in this light. A year later, the even more rebellious Trewlany Town Maroons also agreed to sign a treaty though they were never happy about it. The Second Maroon War In 1795 these Trewlany Town Maroons declared war for a second time against the British. They felt that they were being badly treated under the terms of the treaty. They especially felt that the land allotted to them for farming was rocky and inadequate. After the years of fighting in which time and time again they defeated the much larger forces sent against them, they were persuaded to come to terms. They found themselves tricked and instead of obtaining a revision of treaty, they were all of them old and men, warriors, women and children transported to cold Nova Scotia, and after a few years sent to the new British settlement of Sierra Leone in West Africa. The other Maroon towns did not take part in this rebellion, however, and their treaty with the British remained in force until Jamaica gained its independence in 1962. Marcus Garvey The Negro World takes great pleasure in saluting the Maroons of Jamaica in celebration of their historic victory 270 years ago. Indeed we recognize the Maroon heritage of our founder the Rt. Excellent Marcus Mosiah Garvey that was made so evident in his indomitable fighting spirit and unconquerable soul. Selah. NEW JAMAICAN Vol.2  
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