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Honoring Jamaica’s Rich Heritage: Maroon Fest 2025
The Creative Caribbean project, a collaborative initiative by UNESCO, CARICOM, and the University of the West Indies, with funding from the ACP-EU Culture Programme, has been pivotal in supporting this year’s Maroon Fest in the historial village of Accompong.
The annual event, held on January 6th by the Accompong Maroons—the descendants of enslaved Africans who escaped the plantations and settled in Jamaica’s mountains—celebrates the Maroon heritage by commemorating the 1738 signing of the Peace Treaty with the British colonial authorities and honoring Captain Cudjoe, widely regarded as one of the greatest Maroon leaders.
This year’s festival continued its vibrant tradition, drawing thousands of attendees from across the globe to experience ancestral rituals, drumming, dance, and storytelling—all integral parts of the Maroon legacy.
Maroon Fest is a cornerstone of our cultural identity, and we are happy to be supported by the Creative Caribbean project to elevate this event.
Key participants included international representation from several African Royal Houses, as well as figures from the political, tourism, cultural, and creative industry spheres, alongside local, regional, and international media professionals and industry stakeholders.
A first-time Maroon attendee, Sasha Fowler, on the festival’s significance, history, traditions, and rituals and encouraged others to visit the village beyond attending the festival.
It was a beautiful event; everybody was filled with positive spirit. There is so much history when it comes to the Maroons. So, if you want to know more, the best thing is to come here. Because along with the event, they talk about the history, they teach you everything you need to know.
One of the standout initiatives for this year was introducing the Accompong Business Exchange Forum. This collaborative platform, which will continue through the first quarter of 2025, aims to foster partnerships and open market opportunities for Maroon and Indigenous communities. Through improved event features, enhanced management, and engagement on local, regional, and international levels, the project aims to preserve the unique fabric of Maroon communities while providing economic opportunities and lasting partnerships.
Indigenous and cultural communities can form partnerships, access local and international markets, and expand the creation and production of quality goods and services. This initiative contributes to economic growth, job creation, and the development of competitive cultural products within the Accompong community.
The Creative Caribbean project is dedicated to strengthening the cultural and creative industries throughout the Caribbean, aligning seamlessly with the festival’s mission.
This celebration, and our support of it as well of the upcoming Maroon Cultural Business Forum in March, is not only about preserving and promoting the Maroon culture but also about preserving the wisdom and the knowledge acquired throughout generations.
