Page 32 - 10th Annual International Charles Town Maroon Conference and Festival Magazine

June 2018 Charles Town Maroon International Conference Magazine

The Late Colonel Frank Lumsden:

Man of vision and action

An excerpt from the tribute paid to him by his nephew Michael Lumsden

Photo credit: Mandy Jo Keeping

“Myths are made for the imagination to breathe life By January 2004 when appointed Colonel of the
into them…” - Camus. Charles Town Maroons, he saw it as his duty to bring
economic development to Charles Town with Maroon
An important part of Frank’s early life in the Buff Bay culture as the foundation for this development. He
area was his experience of life as a Maroon. His Grand worked to make Maroons relevant in the modern social
Aunt Jestina Campbell, known as Tun Tun was a and economic context and provide tangible results and
Maroon Chieftain and healer and Frank recalls benefits. No mean feat. Charles Town was the least
receiving “bush baths” for protection. He also spoke known among Maroon towns and young people were
of his Uncle Ivanhoe being “healed” from an ailment moving to the city. While Nanny was a national hero
in a Coromantee play. From an early age he knew his the whole understanding of Maroons and their role in
Maroon background to be the most important part of Jamaican history was complex and controversial, and
him. It was in his return to his Maroon roots that Frank the Maroons needed leadership and organisation.
found his calling when in 1998 he returned to Jamaica
after many years living in Chicago, USA. He developed a compelling shared narrative, gained
allies for his vision, and worked assiduously with

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