Maroon celebrations kick starts 'Jamaica 50'

BY HORACE HINES Observer West reporter hinesh@jamaicaobserver.com

Thursday, January 19, 2012

ACCOMPONG TOWN, St Elizabeth - Activities to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the nation's independence kicked off in Accompong Town recently with the celebration of the 274th anniversary of the Peace Treaty, signed between the Maroons and the British Government.

" As the ministry which has responsibility for Jamaica 50, it is very good and strategic that we start Jamaica 50 here in the first part of the year........," remarked Sydney Bartley, the director of culture in the Ministry of Youth and Culture.

Underscoring the significance of cultural events such as the Maroon celebrations, Bartley noted that the movement for Independence 50 years ago, started with the resistance of Africans who were captured in their homeland and shipped to the region as slaves.

"One of the challenges we have as a people is we need to ritualise the important elements of our lives. Too many Jamaicans are moving around today, not even stopping to think this is an important day on our calendar. Without this day many other days may not have happened. We must not forget," Bartley emphasised.

He was speaking during the annual civic ceremony held in Accompong on January 6, to mark the signing of the Peace Treaty between the British and the Maroons.

And during his address at the ceremony, Nigerian Ambassador Peter Oyedele who noted that " I feel as if I am in Africa," promised to invite Nigerians to the annual event.

" When I get back to Nigeria I am going to give a full account of what I have seen here. And that will encourage a lot of Nigerians to visit here and participate in ceremonies like this in the future," Oyedele said.

In the meantime, Governor General Sir Patrick Allen, whose message was read by Custos of St Elizabeth Wilfred Nembhard, stressed the importance of culture.

" Cultural identity is essential for the peaceful cooperation of civilisations. When people have a strong sense of self-identity through culture, they are more likely to interact peacefully with other cultures, with respect for the diversity of value systems and religious beliefs as well as the tangible aspects of culture," he argued.

The annual celebrations attracted hundreds of patrons, including visitors from overseas, diplomats, popular entertainers, who were treated to a diversity of cultural items.