Accompong Maroon Festival 2012

Accompong Maroon Festival is held each year on 6th January. Thousands of Jamaicans and visitors alike travel to the village to enjoy the celebration.

The celebrations mark the victory over British rule on the island and honour of Jamaican hero, Cudjoe, who led the Maroons to vicory during the the first Maroon War. The town of Accompong was named after the Maroon leader Accompong, brother of a number of other Maroon leaders: Quao, Cuffy, Cudjoe, and Nanny, from an Ashanti family.

Accompong in the hills of St. Elizabeth Parish in Jamaica, is a historical maroon village. During the fesivities, which can last for three or four days, drums are played along with the distinctive sound of the abeng (Cow Horn) along with dancing and singing.

Traditionally the men take over the cooking at this time.