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    Towards a borderless Indigenous Society

    Quao Day Celebrations 2020

    June 23, 2020 Asafu Yard, Charles Town, Portland, Jamaica

    InterbengQuaoYellowsquare.jpg

    The Honourable Olivia Grange CD, MP

    Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport

    STATEMENT BY

    HON. OLIVIA GRANGE, CD, MP

    MINISTER OF CULTURE, GENDER, ENTERTAINMENT AND SPORT

    ON THE OCCASION OF THE

    CHARLES TOWN QUAO DAY CELEBRATION

    JUNE 23, 2020

     

    Today, I join with you to celebrate the 281st anniversary of the signing of the peace treaty between the British and Col. Quao in 1739, as well as the 12th staging of the Charles Town Maroon Conference which is being held this year under the theme “Towards a Borderless Indigenous Society”.

    It is my sincere pleasure to again be associated with this annual tradition and the innovative methods that Acting Col. Marcia “Kim” Douglas has employed to stage this year’s edition. My Ministry, being responsible for the Gender portfolio, takes this opportunity to salute Acting Col. Douglas for becoming only the second female Maroon leader in Jamaican history, after Grande Nanny, and I anxiously await the time when we can come together and celebrate her being enstooled.

    As you are aware, however, our commemoration also comes at a pivotal time in world history. The on-going Covid-19 global pandemic has disrupted our usual plans to congregate in celebration of our Maroon Warriors. Nonetheless, as a people who have been known to respond creatively and strategically to challenges throughout the centuries, the Charles Town Maroons have taken the bold decision to stage a virtual celebration. Quao and our pantheon of Maroon ancestors will indeed be proud of the continued demonstration to the world of the Jamaican Maroons’ collective resilience and genius.

    Despite the economic restraint under which we now operate, my Ministry has continued to provide financial and technical support to this important commemoration. Indeed, we need to ensure that community events such as the Quao Day celebration are held as they complement the Government’s on-going work to safeguard the island’s intangible cultural heritage. Indeed, it is my sincere hope that the virtual nature of this year’s celebrations will foster greater awareness, respect and dialogue among diverse peoples of the world, including the Jamaican Diaspora.

    I wish to commend Acting Col. Douglas and her team for coordinating what I am sure will be a successful celebration and congratulate the Charles Town Maroons for continuing to protect, preserve and transfer knowledge of their history and culture to younger and diverse generations.

     

    -END-

    Virtual Quao Day Celebration - Videos

    1
    Professor Naa Afua Dadesen Cooper @Quao Day.
    Professor Naa Afua Dadesen Cooper @Quao Day.
    13:30
    2
    Richard Lumsden keynote speech @ Quao Day.
    Richard Lumsden keynote speech @ Quao Day.
    08:09
    3
    Dr Stephanie McKenzie made a magnificent presentation at the Ancestors Quao Day celebration.
    Dr Stephanie McKenzie made a magnificent presentation at the Ancestors Quao Day celebration.
    20:06
    4
    QUAO DAY CELEBRATION  - 1st Panel Discussion hosted Dr. Paul Youngquist
    QUAO DAY CELEBRATION - 1st Panel Discussion hosted Dr. Paul Youngquist
    22:14
    5
    QUAO DAY CELEBRATION - 2nd Panel Discussion  hosted by Dr Frances Botkin as "Quao Goes Virtual."
    QUAO DAY CELEBRATION - 2nd Panel Discussion hosted by Dr Frances Botkin as "Quao Goes Virtual."
    46:40
    The thought of the ‘invisible  hunter’ going virtual is certainly an interesting one and since we know him to be a brilliant strategist we cannot but see that this is a very effective  and efficient scheme to put us in a position of victory in the fight against the impacts of COVID 19. 

    The 12th Annual international Charles Town Conference and Festival (AICTM Conference & Festival) has been postponed due to the measures that are needed to combat COVID 19.  The Conference & Festival  however, is grounded upon and around the celebration of ancestor Quao, an African, Maroon warrior who led successful battles against the British and their system on enslavement.  In the tradition of Quao’s people, the Akan of Ghana,  it is very important to do what you say you are going to do and especially to perform rituals that, as we say, are marked.  The annual celebration of ancestor Quao that takes place each year is a ritual that has been marked and as such we obligate ourselves to find the way to make it happen while still being respectful and compliant with prevailing conditions.

    Ancestor Quao Day Celebration takes place each year on June 23th the day of the signing of a peace treaty between our African ancestors and the British who had come to the painful conclusion that surrender was their best course of action.  Given the many battles lost by them they, requested and wrote a peace treaty  which was signed by ancestor Quao on behalf of his people.   An so although we hold the celebration in Quao’s name it honours all the ancestors who fought on and off the battlefield  to secure an independent Jamaica.  It also especially recognize and gives respect to the collaboration between the earliest Maroons, our Taíno peoples and the enslaved Africans.

    The virtual programme being developed, has endeavored to capture the essence of the  Ancestor Quao Day Celebration, while  paying tribute to other aspects and inclusions which are normally a part of the  AICTM Conference & Festival.  Our usual  audience will get a touch of some of the other areas they usually  enjoy and our new and wider audience will get a more rounded picture of our usual Conference & Festival offering.

    Through your sponsorship dollars, you will be associating you, your company, its goods and services with a vision shared by many.  This vision speaks to complete knowledge of who we are and therefore where we are going.  A vision that speaks to respectfully elevating Jamaican culture so that social and economic growth may be fostered especially for communities such as Charles Town but also for the wider Jamaica. 
    We ask that you review our sponsorship proposal and that you let us know how you would like to partner with us.  Please note that we are open to other suggestions you may have as to how you may participate.  

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    Activities

    • Academic Conference
    • Quao Day Celebration
    • Wellness Village
    • Bun Fyah Nite
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    Meet the Organizers

    Eleven Years and Counting

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