Page 47 - 10th Annual International Charles Town Maroon Conference and Festival Magazine

Charles Town Maroon International Conference Magazine June 2018

The 2018 afahye (festival), as it is called in the language from the creator.
of Quao’s people, continues to be an important all day ➢ Bammy Making Demonstration – Taíno style bammy
occasion for the Charles Town Maroons to continue making by an Elder who has retained the tradition
Taíno/African practice of communally venerating ancestors. ➢ Hula Hoop Dance – Hoop dancing was a form of story
This ancestor day celebration gives respect and honour to a telling for Native American Indians. The hoop itself was
great forefather so that his name will live on and on. Child symbolic of the circle and continuity of life. Back in the
of Thursday, brilliant warrior, strategist, runner, medicine days dancers used many hoops made from natural
man… Ancestor Quao Maroon hero. Military materials and a single dancer, dancing with numerous
leader...Captain Quao. One who bonded his people within hoops, would make animal and other shapes to tell the
and without creating the Taíno/Maroon alliance…Quao the story.
Invisible Hunter.
The celebration continues to acknowledge and honour The entertainment segment of this year's celebration is
the many alliances and ancestral friendships that were anchored by the sweet sounds of mento, Dub Poetry,
formed by the incoming Africans with the resident Taínos Jamaican and Caribbean folk music. A Jamaican music that
and the resulting advantages that accrued as a result of the has graduated from the plantations to become the antecedent
cooperation between them. The triumph of the Taíno/African of Ska and Reggae, mento music is still very present in the
forces over the British and the honouring of those who, music industry. Originally, mento music told our stories and
through relentless effort and spiritual guidance, brought this commented on many aspects of life, a role previously also
about, is the essence of this celebration. With Ancestor Quao played by our folk music and continues through more
as the focal point of this annual celebration, the Maroons of contemporary forms such as dub poetry.
Charles Town celebrate the unity, strength and freedoms that Among the Akan people, Akom are ceremonial
are now theirs, because of the many wars fought both on and occasions that mark all important life happenings from work
off the battle field. to worship. Ancestor Quao Day will continue to close with
The Akan, Taíno influenced, totally Jamaican celebration Akom, to give thanks to the ancestors and spiritual guides
opens with the ceremonial procession and greeting of the for their ongoing blessings and to continue to celebrate our
ancestors. The day offers a range of participatory and other many victories as we continue the struggle for a better
activities consistent with and relevant to the ways of life of Jamaica.
Quao and his people as well as other African and Taíno When we call one ancestor
peoples and ancestors. To remember and honour the role that we call all ancestors
elders played in the war years we will pay tribute to some of
the “older heads” of the Charles Town Community by telling
their stories and acknowledging them with tokens of appre-
ciation. Other activities of the day include:
➢ Our Women's Circle - to explore the role of women in Carol Miller (Okomfo Afua Fofie) is
community and their responsibility as it pertains to the founding Director of Sankofie an
peace and harmony. This is a peace initiative which organization which helps Jamaicans
addresses issues of community wellness using reclaim and reconnect with the
indigenous perspectives and formats. traditions and ways of life of the
➢ Indigo Fabric Dying with Fosuwa who believes ‘Cloth wise, old ones. Sankofie fosters
wears but never dies.’ awareness, understanding, and
➢ Divination – There is no way to claim 'Africa' and indeed adoption of the spiritual practices of
many other indigenous cultures and leave aside our Taíno, Akan, Yoruba and Congolese ancestors.
divination as a way of receiving guidance for our lives

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