ACCOMPONG TOWN, St Elizabeth—Public Defender Earl Whitter is scheduled to deliver the main address at the civic ceremony to mark the 272nd celebration of the peace treaty between British colonisers and the Leeward Maroons, here this afternoon.

The civic ceremony will follow centuries-old rituals that form part of the annual event, held January 6, said to be the birthday of Maroon hero, Cudjoe.

Thousands are expected to converge on the Maroon village, located in northern St Elizabeth in the southern region of the Cockpit Country to observe ancient maroon rituals and to participate in a party complete with popular music and vending of goods of every description.

The Maroons are the descendants of slaves from West Africa freed by Spanish colonisers when they were ousted by the British in 1655, as well as those who escaped from British slave owners. Using Jamaica’s mountainous interior as cover, the Maroons fought the British for decades before peace was realised.

In the meantime, colonel of the Accompong Maroons, Ferron Williams yesterday declared that the Maroon Council intents to eliminate, or reduce the sale of ” bling bling clothing” and ease congestion of the roadway.

Williams, who is also a police inspector, is assuring the public that the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) will be providing security for the celebrations.