جميڪا جي ڪميونٽيز لاءِ نئون دور

In a profound and historic assembly on Monday, January 8, 2024, leaders from Jamaica’s Maroon Communities convened at The University of the West Indies, Mona, Kingston.

The event, graciously hosted by Dr. Hillary Beckles – HH Chief Osikol, Vice Chancellor of The UWI, marked a pivotal moment in history as the Maroon leaders engaged in discussions, healing, reconciliation and recognition of new and pre-existing roles.

The gathering followed the triumphant 286th Maroon Accompong Festival, “Return to Accompong: Return To Your Roots,” hosted in Cockpit Country, St. Elizabeth, Jamaica. The AIDO Royal Delegation bestowed blessings during the annual commemorative celebrations, setting the stage for the Unity Reconciliation Gathering.

Led by His Royal Majesty Paul J. Eganda – Papa Ateker and hosted by Dr. Sir Hillary Beckles – HH Chief Osikol, the Maroon leaders, including representatives such as Gaamang Gloria “Mama G” Simms, Gaama Akinsanya, Colonel Lloyd Lattibeaudiere, Madame Secretary Jacqueline Phillips, HH Chief Odwe – Chief Richard Currie, Amb.

AnuTafari-El, and Br. Royan of Accompong, convened with a shared purpose—to address challenges within Maroon communities and advance with principled unity.  Regrettably, invited leaders who participated in preliminary planning meetings for this gathering, Colonel Marcia Douglas of the Charlestown Maroons, Kasike/Chief Kalaan Kaiman (Robert Pairman) of the Yamaye Guani Taino People; and Colonel Wallace Sterling of the Mooretown Maroons, were unable to attend.

The AIDO Royal African Delegation, comprised of HH Queen Princess Ikatekit Gamachana, Chief Carlton Baiba Darby, and Lady Chrystal Bureau, contributed to the unity, healing and reconciliatory dimensions of  this gathering.

HRM Papa Ateker emphasized, “It is about unity and respect among each other and staying together for the greater purpose…We need to work together as Maroons because together we are stronger, and we can achieve more.”

Dr. Hilary Brown – HH Queen Asianut Acom II of the AIDO Diaspora Royal Kingdom and the CARICOM Secretariat, highlighted the AIDO Network’s commitment to supporting reunification actions among Maroon Communities. She stressed the importance of unity forged on the historical significance of maronnage in Jamaica’s rich heritage.

The AIDO Royal African Delegation, CARICOM Reparations Commission, and Omanye Royal Kingdom leaders encouraged principled unity, illlntegrity, ethics, reconciliation, and new strategies to provide practical support for the Maroon Communities.

This collective gathering emphasized the historical significance of Maroon Communities in Jamaica’s cultural history and their enduring quest for freedom, resistance to injustice, independence, and liberty.

HH Chief Odwe – Chief Richard Currie shared historical context specific to the Accompong Maroon Community and urged recognition of their authority, inalienable human rights, and the responsibility to ensure representation for all indigenous people in conversations about the new Jamaica.

Gaamang Gloria “Mama G” Simms of the Maroon Women’s Network Suriname emphasized the preservation of family values, the importance of land and property rights, and urged the government of Jamaica to recognize the gold mine within the minds of the Maroon people.

Colonel Lloyd Lattibeaudiere of the Scotts Hall Maroons expressed the urgent need for collective action, addressing the suffering within Maroon Communities, and emphasized a unified approach to address challenges.

HRM Queen Vickylextar Okang-Sowah of the Omanye Royal Kingdom, Ghana, proactively sought ways to support Maroon Leaders, suggesting structured mediated joint meetings for internal reparations, unity, and trust.

The gathering resulted in a call for actionable deliverables, including a proposed 2–3-day symposium within the next 2-3 months to capture authentic narratives, historical legacies, voices, and analyses of the Maroon Communities of Jamaica.

The attendees discussed strategies for publications in print, mixed media, film, and other creative heritage educational platforms later in 2024.

Dr. Sir Hillary Beckles (HH Papa Osikol) underscored the important role of Maroons as Jamaica’s first people, advocating for a constitution that places the Maroon legacy at the center.

Discussions centered around sovereignty, legitimacy, and authority, with a passionate and restorative justice-centered plea to recognize the Maroons’ inalienable human rights.

This historic gathering emphasized the need for correcting historical injustices, rebranding the Maroon legacy within Jamaican and global history, and proposing regular gatherings/meetings linked to practical work, internal intervention strategies among Maroon Communities, and current calendars of ancestral sacred events, commemorative observances and more designed and implemented to strengthen unity among Maroon Communities of Jamaica.

Discussions also highlighted the need for the inclusion of the Maroon Communities in processes for constitutional reform, international recognition, actionable deliverables, and creative interventions for Jamaican governmental constitutional reform that respectfully and strategically include Maroon Communities from inception moving forward.

Queen Mother Laleta Davis of AIDO, UWI General Counsel, National Reparations Commission, urged unity and collaboration among Maroon groups, reinforcing the historical significance of their shared struggle.

Queen Mother Dr. Chenzira Hajila Adeke Davis Kahina expressed that the proceedings were successful, emphasizing the importance of inalienable and unalienable human rights and effective use of language with proactive skills for elevation among the Maroon Communities of Jamaica among our shared humanity.

In concluding remarks, Dr. Sir Hillary Beckles emphasized calls to action for 2024, including symposia, creative developments, and economic sustainability initiatives within the best interests of Maroon Communities, reminding us of the crucial message: “Nothing About Us Without Us.”

The January 8th, 2024 Maroon Unity Reconciliation Gathering marked a significant step towards solidarity, historical justice, and a united front for Jamaica’s Ancestral Indigenous  Maroon voices. The diversity of opinions expressed showcased the intellectual strength, discipline, and ancestral harmony within the Maroon community, signaling a new chapter in their shared history.