Funeral of paramount chief Gazon Matodja to be held in March

Source: De Ware Tijd

The funeral of paramount chief Gazon Matodja of the Ndyuka nation will take place somewhere in the first week of March. An exact date has not yet been chosen. Maroon dignitaries are currently in the village of Drietabbetje, the chief’s residency, to prepare for the ceremonies. A funeral date will be chosen based on the results of certain rituals, among which the daily consulting of an oracle and the making of offerings.

The government of Suriname is funding the funeral with a sum of 500.000 Surinamse dollars (about 150.000 US dollars). The money is paid on a project basis; every time a certain amount is needed, it must be requested from the department of Regional Development. So far, the funds have been used to send building materials, fuel and food to the area, as well as financing the visits of two government delegations. Part of the money will be spent on a wake in Paramaribo, which is to take place in  February. Another part is to be used on chartered flights to bring to Drietabbetje the paramount chiefs of other Maroon (Saramacca and Matawai) and Indigenous nations (Trio and Wajana).

District Commissioners Margaretha Malonti and Naltus Naana doubt that the sum awarded by the government will stretch to cover all funeral expenses. Most likely, they say, the Ndyuka community will be asked for a contribution.

Paramount chief Gazon Matodja died on 1 December of 2011.

An interview with Colonel Frank Lumsden and Dr. Frances Botkin

The annual International Maroon Conference and Convention at Charles Town in Jamaica is  becoming an important venue  for highlighting Maroon culture in the Caribbean, Mexico, South America, and Canada.

Col. Ferron Williams of the Accompong Maroons

Every year since 2009, the event has brought together Maroons, indigenous peoples, and academics from all over the world for a three day celebration. Known for its broad approach, the conference explores Maroon culture from a variety of angles: history,  literature, ethnography, anthropology, sociology, geography, archaeology, political theory, gender studies, cultural studies, film, linguistics, art, music and theater.  Organized by Colonel Frank Lumsden, Dr. Frances Botkin, Dr. Paul Youngquist, Mr. Evan Williams, and Mr. Charles Campbell, the Fourth International Maroon Conference and Convention will once again convene this summer.

Loyal to tradition, this year’s event (scheduled for June 20-24) will take place in concurrence with the Quao Day festivities, when Jamaicans give homage to Captain Quao, a legendary Maroon leader and national hero. With alluring attractions such as Maroon dancing, drumming, singing, poetry, storytelling, cultural tours,  food, crafts booths, the blowing of the abeng, river bathing at Quao Village, as well as fashion shows highlighting the African mode of dress and clothing designs,  the event promises to repeat the inspiring excellence it has achieved in previous years.

Abeng Central is honored to have the opportunity of meeting Colonel Frank Lumsden and Frances Botkin, two of the event’s organizers. Read the interview here.

Jamaica’s Maroon Day: Accompong remembers the treaty of 1738

Visitors and residents off to the celebrations in Accompong (JIS Photo, from Caribbean Journal)

Once again, the Maroons of Western Jamaica have celebrated the annual Accompong Maroon Festival with much gusto. The event was held over the course of the past weekend, starting on Friday January 6th – the birthday of Captain Cudjoe, who in 1738, on behalf of the Leeward Maroons, signed the first peace contract between Maroon rebel forces and the British colonial government.

This year’s celebration marked the 274th anniversary of this peace treaty. Caribbean Journal reports  thousands of visitors took to Accompong town in St Elizabeth this weekend to partake in the festivities.  As usual, there was traditional dancing and singing, a fantastic feast, the blowing of the Abeng horn, and playing of the Maroon war drums. The men took charge of the cooking and no salt was used.

Sydney Bartley, Principal Director of Culture in the Ministry of Youth and Culture, on this occasion expressed the opinion that Jamaicans should give more weight to the annual Maroon Day. “If it had not been for the continuous struggle of people like Cudjo, and Nanny, and so many others, we would not be celebrating today,” he said at a celebration on Saturday. “We would be expected to be somewhere cutting cane. We need to ritualise the important elements of our lives. Too many Jamaicans are moving around today, not even stopping to think that this is an important day in our calendar. Without this day, many other days might not have happened”, he said, referring to Jamaica winning its independence in 1962.

According to Bartley, the independence movement for Jamaica began long before 1962, back in the days of slavery, with the roots of resistance staged by Africans at the point of capture in their homeland. “This should be remembered.”

See also this Jamaica Gleaner report on the festival.

Maroons head to the silver screen

Source: Curtis Campbell, Gleaner Writer

In a celebration befitting the festive season, Hollywood-based Jamaican stuntman Roy T. Anderson gave the media a taste of history with an Afrocentric preview of his soon-to-be released film, Akwantu, which tells the story of the Jamaican Maroons. The environment for the launch last Friday was set with the sound of drums, the abeng and dancing women. The echo of the abeng inside the Institute of Jamaica Lecture Hall on East Street in Kingston was delightful.

Funded, narrated and directed by Anderson, Akwantu – The Journey takes its viewers on a journey into Maroon, African and Jamaican history. Executive director of the Institute of Jamaica, Vivian Crawford, pointed out the appropriateness of the film during Christmas. According to Crawford, it’s a season to celebrate ancestry.

A short version of the film was shown to media practitioners, who wanted more at the end. Publicist Paul H. Williams, representing Akwantu, said he was honoured to represent a movement that involved the celebration of Jamaica’s rich culture. He then invited Colonel Frank Lumsden, who spoke on behalf of the Maroon community. Colonel Lumsden said the movie directors had made promises that they would document the history of the Maroons.

Lumsden said he appreciated Anderson’s work because it showed genuine passion. “This is an extraordinary moment for us … . There is so much history here … . This movie will have the same relevance of the Young Warriors, and people all around will appreciate it,” he said.

Professor Verene Shepherd of the University of the West Indies, Mona, also spoke in reference to the season. According to Shepherd, during Christmas, Jamaicans should take some time to recall the ancestors who died for freedom. She also said that the history of the Maroons could not be told too often. According to her, a discourse on the subject could never be closed.

Minister of youth, sports and culture, Olivia Grange, had her speech delivered by Sidney Bartley, the principal director of culture and entertainment. According to Grange, Anderson should be commended because it took much courage and resilience to complete the film. She also stated that there was always a story to tell about the journey of Jamaicans that helps to deal with the legacy of colonialism. She also disclosed that Akwantu would be included in the programme for Jamaica’s 50th Independence celebrations next year . Grange further stated that she plans to approach the Ministry of Education in an effort to provide access to the information for children.

Anderson, the director of the film and a descendant of Maroons, said the filming process was very emotional. He explained in a video clip that he traced his family lineage and discovered that his ancestors were Maroons. “For too long, too long, Maroons have been Jamaica’s best kept secret. The Maroon history should be celebrated and the time is now,” he said.

The self-funded film will be officially released on June 17, 2012 and Anderson hopes to broadcast the final product at international film festivals. That dream, he said, would be more easily realised if corporate sponsors would join the movement. “The film was independently funded because I wanted to tell the story freely … . I aimed for objectivity and telling it as it is. However, it would be a plus to have members of corporate Jamaica coming onboard to push the film onwards,” he said.

Anderson hopes to show the film at more than 25 international festivals, including the Toronto, Tribeca, and Cannes film festivals. Anderson also wants to be able to show the film at an African festival in Nigeria. Anderson ended by saying that seeing the film will clear up many misconceptions about Maroons. “After viewing this film, you will have more appreciation for their courage and more respect for what the Maroons did,” he said. The curtains were brought down on the launch by the Charles Town Maroon drummers and dancers, who were thoroughly entertaining.

For original report, go to: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20111220/ent/ent1.html

Maroons in the Netherlands commemorate Gazon Matodja

Suriname Maroons in the Netherlands came together in the city of Utrecht on Saturday December 17th  to commemorate paramount chief Gazon Matodja of the Suriname Ndyuka nation. Gazon Matodja died on December 1st of this year after suffering a stroke. The memorial, organized by the traditional Maroon authorities for the Netherlands, attracted around two hundred of the paramount chief’s friends, acquaintances and family members.

It included musical performances by Ndyuka percussionist André Mosis (who played the traditional apinti drum), speeches by various Maroon leaders, a formal libation, and the viewing of a documentary on the life of Gazon Matodja.

The Suriname government attended the memorial through representation by David Abiamofo, himself a Maroon. “A great Surinamer has gone”, Abiamofo told the audience. “He was my hero, he was one of the quiet heroes. Perhaps not famous, his name not in the papers everyday. But each and every day he worked hard. He sacrificed his life for his people. He just did the right things day after day.”

Other speakers were André Pakosie and Erna Aviankoi – both representing the Ndyuka, Cornelis Sanna – representing the Paamaka, and Mutu Poeketie – respresenting the Saamaka. All of these speakers, too, remarked on Gazon Matodja’s leadership, personality and exceptional accomplishments.

News reporter Patrick Dorder (RNW) made a video report about the memorial, which can be seen here: http://www.rnw.nl/suriname/video/sidonbookode-voor-gaanman-gazon-nederland

Paramount chief of Ndyuka nation passes at 91

Granman Matodja Gazon on his 91st birthday in April of this year. (Photo by Ramon Keijzer for Starnieuws)

Paramount chief Gazon Matodja of the Ndyuka nation in Suriname has passed on December 1st, 2011, at the age of 91. He died at the Diakonessen Hospital in Paramaribo, where he entered only days before, after suffering a stroke. Gazon Matodja had preferred passing at home, but succumbed to his illness before he could be transported. His mortal remains have been flown to his residency in Drietabiki. Government officials Paul Abena, Alice Amafo, Walter Bonjaski and Leo Brunswijk, all members of the Ndyuka nation, accompanied the paramount chief on this flight. The funeral will take place on a date yet to be announced. Mourning ceremonies, which started immediately after his death, are expected to proceed for several months.

Gazon Matodja had been paramount chief since 1966. At 91, he was not only the oldest dignitary in this function, but also the one with the longest reign. He was best known for his diplomacy. He took this quality to a highpoint in the 1980’s, during the armed conflict between Suriname military ruler Desi Bouterse and Ronnie Brunswijk’s Jungle Commando, in which Gazon Matodja refused to take sides. Instead, he assumed an intermediating role.

Newspaper De Ware Tijd recalls that Gazon Matodja was the first paramount chief of the Ndyuka to take on foreign traveling. Most notable were his trips to Ghana, Togo and Nigeria in the 70’s and his visit to Yale University in 1982. (The New York Times reported on this visit. Click here to read the article).

Gazon Matodja was born as a member of the Baakabee family, a branch of the Ooto lo clan, in the village of Moitaki. He was appointed successor to his uncle, paramount chief Pai Amatodya, but judged himself too young for the responsibility in 1947, when Pai Amatodya died, and chose to transfer his duties to Akontu Velantie, who was installed as paramount chief to the Ndyuka in 1950. Valentie passed fourteen years later, in 1964.

The remains of Gazon Matodja are transported from Paramaribo to Drietabiki. (photo by Ramon Keijzer, for Starnieuws)

In 2000 Gazon Matodja installed the first body of formal authorities for Ndyuka residing in the Netherlands, including a kabiten and several basya’s. He was also the first paramount chief to appoint a women to the office of captain.

His work on behalf of the Ndyuka and the Suriname population at large, earned him several national and international awards and recognitions.

In an interview with RNW, André Pakosi, kabiten (chief) of the Ndyuka in the Netherlands says that although the death of Gazon Matodja ‘did not come unexpected’ to him, he was nevertheless shocked by the news. “He has been a great inspiration to me”, said Pakosie. A Dutch language eulogy on Gazon Matodja, written by kabiten Pakosie, can be read here.

Official statements on his succession are unlikely to be made soon. “We are not talking about that yet”, said Pakosie.

Starniews has referred to the passing as ‘the end of an era’.

Deadline Reminder: 4th International Maroon Conference

The deadline for submissions for the Fourth International Maroon Conference is next Tuesday, November 15, 2011. The conference, organized under the unifying theme “Independence,” will take place in Charles Town, Portland, Jamaica, in June 20-24, 2012.

This multidisciplinary conference seeks papers that explore treatments of Maroon culture in history, literature, ethnography, anthropology, geography, sociology, archeology, political theory, cultural studies, film, linguistics, art, music, and theatre. It examines the values and practices of maroons and marronage and the ways they have influenced and transformed the Caribbean, Canada, South America, Europe, the United States and Africa.

With its theme of “Independence,” the conference links the Maroon victory over the English in 1739 with the fiftieth anniversary of Jamaican independence from England in 1962 to celebrate both events. Offering a unique combination of scholarly panels and cultural performances, the Fourth International Maroon conference aims to increase awareness of Maroon contributions to contemporary societies, bringing together descendents of Maroons with scholars interested in Maroon heritage and indigenous cultures.

This conference is hosted by Colonel Frank Lumsden and the Charles Town Maroon Council, and its organizers include Colonel Lumsden, Franny Botkin (Towson University) and Paul Youngquist (University of Colorado at Boulder)

Send abstracts (before November 15) or inquiries to fbotkin@towson.edu

More info on this Facebook page

Summit on territorial rights comes to shrieking halt

Sources: dWT, Suriname Stemt, RNW, Starnieuws

President Desi Bouterse at Colakreek in discussion with an Amerindian representative (Photo Starnieuws/ Ramon Keijzer)

The much anticipated conference on territorial rights in Suriname was unexpectedly cut short after a thundering speech of Amerindian captain Ricardo (Carlo) Lewis, boardmember of the Association of Indigenous Village heads in Suriname (VIDS), that left the two main parties, the government and tribal peoples, to conclude that the divide between them was too deep to cross.

The conference marked the first serious attempt in Suriname to bring a solution to the decades old dispute over the ownership and use of inland territories. Amerindians and Maroons armed themselves with the 2007 verdict of the Inter-American Court for Human Rights which dictates their rights to land; a ruling that is largely based on treaties signed in the 18^th century. Although the new government, presided by Desi Bouterse, has demonstrated willingness to discuss conditional ownership of land, it refuses to bend on full ownership. Citing the constitution of Suriname, the government insists that the country’s territories, including their natural resources, ‘cannot be divided’. All territories and natural resources are, by constitution, property of the state. It is upon this right that the government of Suriname is issuing concessions for the mining of gold and bauxite as well as for wood logging.

The October 21/22 conference took a year of preparation and cost around 2 million Surinamese dollars (the equivalent of about 600.000 US). The government chose to rent off vacation resort Colakreek for the full two days of the weekend summit, and compiled a list of some 700 attendees, among whom members of government and parliament, inland dignitaries and representatives of non-governmental organizations. A legion of security officers, firefighters, soldiers, paramedics and police officers was summoned to see to the proper channeling of proceedings. The intention of the summit was to find common ground and sign a joint closing statement that could serve as the blueprint for new regulations regarding the inland territories.

In a press conference following the failed conference, president Bouterse expressed disappointment at the tribal leaders, whom he accused of manipulation. Bouterse said he had not expected them to demand full land rights, including authority over everything that is located on and in the ground. Two of his aides, Ellen Naarendorp and Jennifer van Dijk-Silos, who helped organize the event, concurred that the tribal representatives never indicated the full extent of their demand in the months leading up to Colakreek.

Critics call Bouterse and his assistants ‘naive’ for not having been able to predict the outcome of the meeting. As writes Edgar Mampier on the opinion blog Suriname Stemt: “Naarendorp states that during the preparation phase separate meetings have been held with all groups. These must have been very strange encounters for the authority over natural resources not to have come up. It’s sheer impossible.”

During the summit, Carlo Lewis’s speech received a standing ovation and cheers from the majority of the tribal representatives, at which point both parties recognized the irreconcilability of their differences. Bouterse thereupon decided to close down the conference.

The debate on territorial rights now moves on to parliament. Here, votes will be called for the acceptance into law of the demands of the tribal leaders. Their demands are included in a resolution between tribal groups that was signed after the closure of the summit. (Click here for the original Dutch text of this resolution)

Maroon museum in Suriname now officially open

A year after its soft opening (see previous post), the Maroon museum in Suriname – Marronmuseum Saamaka Kondee -  is now fully operational. The grand opening takes place this weekend, with activitiets that spread from Friday Octber 14 through Sunday October 16. Attendees are treated to a varied program that included storytelling, dancing, a camp fire, a cultural market, sports and a showing of the film ‘Pikin Slee, een dorp in ontwikkeling’ (Dutch, literally meaning: ‘Pikin Slee, a village in development’).

The museum is dedicated to the cultural heritage of de Saamaka Maroon community. Through art expositions, demonstrations and workshops visitors are educated on the Maroon experience. “It is a place where the past comes to life and the future is awarded space”, says the organization behind the museum on its website, clarifying that Maroon culture is still expanding.

The museum is located at about seven hours travelling from Paramaribo, Suriname’s capital. It is surrounded by jungle and only accessible by boat.

For a special report on the museum, go to DevSur.

More details on the museum can be found at its website, or at the website of its founder, Totomboti (both websites are in Dutch)

To contact a representative of the museum, email either of the following people:

Berry Vrede / email: berryvrede35@hotmail.com

R.S. Liew / email: info@totomboti.nl

Humphrey Schmidt / email: h.r.schmidt@home.nl

Bia Maas email: biamaas@planet.nl

Suriname celebrates first National Maroon Day

Suriname marked its first national Maroon holiday yesterday, October 10 2011. Celebrations were held in Santigron, a multi-tribe village about an hour driving south from the capitol city of Paramaribo. Maroon Day has existed in Suriname for almost four decades. But it was never a national holiday. Until this year.

A woman carries a copper pot filled with maroon cloths on her head as she participates in the Prodo Waka (Flamboyance Parade) in Santigron during the Maroon Day celebrations. (Photo dWT by Stefano Tull)

Two elaborate reports on the Santigron celebrations are available at the website DevSur:

1) http://www.devsur.com/suriname%e2%80%99s-marks-first-national-maroon-day/2011/10/10/

2) http://www.devsur.com/maroon-day-monday-to-bring-santigron-to-life/2011/10/09/

Photographer Ertugrul Kilic has also made some exceptional photos of the Suriname celebrations. They’re a must see.

Go to http://www.ertugrulkilic.com/blog/maroon-day-2011-paramaribo-suriname

Celebrations in the Netherlands were less extravagant, but nevertheless well-attended and meaningful. They were held in Trefpunt Oase in Utrecht. Invited speakers such as kabiten Kensley Vrede and kabiten Andre Pakosie addressed the public. Their messages emphasized the meaning of unity, the transference of knowledge, and making people conscious of Maroon heritage.

Paramount chief Gazon Matodja crowned ‘King of the Ndyuka’

Source: No Spang

In a colorful ceremony this month, Paramount chief Gazon Matodja of Suriname received a golden crown and a gilded staff from his people, the Ndyuka, in recognition of his authority.

The crown is a new badge of leadership in the traditions of Ndyuka Maroons, the presentation of which follows the example of African tribal communities. The ceremony took place in Drietabiki, the residency of Gazon Matodja.

His reception of the crown and staff has earned the paramount chief the nickname ‘King of the Ndyuka’.

Nanny Town, Cunha Cunha Pass to be declared national monuments

Source: Pressrelease JNHT

The Jamaica National Heritage Trust (JNHT) says it is in the process of declaring Nanny Town and the Cunha Cunha Pass as national monuments.

“The sites form part of the Blue and John Crow mountains, which are up for designation as a world heritage sites and they are of historic and cultural significance as result of them being intimately connected with the Windward Maroons of Jamaica,” said the JNHT in a press statement.

Visitors hiking up the Cunha Cunha Pass trail. The eight-kilometre mountain trail was first used by the Maroons to travel between the parishes of St Thomas and Portland. (photo by Jamaica Observer)

Nanny Town is possibly the most sacred of all Maroon sites and is named in honour of the great Maroon leader, Nanny, who is Jamaica’s only national heroine. “It was from this strategically located stronghold in the parish of Portland, that Nanny launched her wars against the British Colonial government. The Stony River in the area is viewed as the place in which the spiritual powers of the great founding ancestors are most concentrated,” said the JNHT.

Nanny Town was considered to be a large village with over 140 houses. After years of conflicts with the English, the village was attacked, occupied and destroyed by English soldiers between 1734 and 1738. The site, though abandoned more than two and a half centuries ago following a prolonged siege by the British colonial troops, is regarded by Maroons with such reverence that is difficult to comprehend by non-Maroons.

Cunha Cunha Pass

Cunha Cunha Pass, meanwhile, is an eight-kilometre mountain trail which was first used by the Maroons to travel between the parishes of St Thomas and Portland. It was also an escape route for the Maroons during battles with the British forces. The trail connects Hayfield and other parts of St Thomas with Bowden Pen and the Rio Grande Valley in Portland, via the main ridge of the Blue Mountains.

According to oral tradition, the site once ended at a plantation which the Maroons could not or “cunha cunha” pass. The trail was also an important trade route, particularly before the road was built that linked Morant Bay to Port Antonio. The pass provided passage, by foot and donkey, for produce grown in the upper Rio Grande Valley to markets on the southern plains.

The Cunha Cunha Pass Maroon Trail was restored and reopened by the Bowden Pen Farmers’ Association, a community-based organisation in collaboration with the Environmental Foundation of Jamaica, the Jamaica Conservation Development Trust and others in 2002 after being nearly wiped out during Hurricane Gilbert in 1988.

On the trail, visitors are exposed to the history of the Maroons as well as the fauna and flora of the Blue Mountains. The trail is one of the most popular routes that pass through the Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park. The trail also has other important sites including the Three Finger Spring and Lookout which is a midpoint of Cunha Cunha Pass. It was from Lookout that the Maroons monitored plantations.

Suriname youth receive school supplies from Sabanapeti foundation

Seventy children in the greater Paramaribo area have received school supplies from Maroon Institute Sabanapeti. The foundation, located in the Netherlands, has made it an annual tradition to send school bags stuffed with class room essentials to Suriname children in need. Each bag contains notebooks, pens and pencils, a ruler, an eraser and a sharpener. High school kids also receive a calculator and compass.
The goods were shipped to Suriname from a Dutch port on July 30th of this year, and will be distributed in and around Paramaribo as of Friday 19th of August.

Sabanapeti relies on donations to make this yearly event possible. This year, notable donations were made by the company Koks Gesto from Ochten and Fytotheek Pakosie from Utrecht (both in the Netherlands).

Maroon Institute Sabanapeti was founded over twenty years ago by André R.M. Pakosie. He is also the kabiten (chief)of the Ndyuka Maroons in the Netherlands.

More about Maroon Institute Sabanapeti can be found on its website (Maroons-Suriname.com)

Akwantu: The Journey

Source: BoxscoreNews

Roy Anderson and his wife, Alison, reviewing video while on location in Ghana.

As far back as Roy Anderson can remember his family in Jamaica has always spoken proudly of their Maroon heritage. The Maroons were former slaves who escaped the plantations to form communities in some of the most inhospitable regions of the island. They had famous leaders like Cudjoe and Nanny. The latter in fact was immortalized as a national hero of Jamaica in 1975. In recent years as Roy began to search out his roots, his curiosity has been seized by a new found pride. And so he has decided that the story of his ancestors and their ties to these legendary Maroons must be told.

Akwantu: The Journey is a 90 minute documentary by director Roy Anderson, who is also a veteran Hollywood stuntman, stunt coordinator, and second unit director and close friend to many of us here at SONAHHR FILM. Shot in Jamaica, Ghana, Canada and United States over the course of two years, the film skillfully combine photographs, related documents, and interviews with various family members, scholars and Maroon officials with archival and present day footage to tell the story of a proud people whose ancestors were pioneers in the quest for freedom from slavery.

Although there is some dispute as to the origin of the word Maroon, most historians agree that it derived from the Spanish word “cimarron” meaning wild and untamed, generally referring to animals such as cows and horses that have gone astray. Beginning around the middle of the eighteen century escaped African slaves and their descendants were generally referred to as Maroons, with all its derogatory implications comparing these courageous Africans to animals gone wild. These were in fact determined former slaves who refused to remain in bondage, instead escaping to the hills in search of a new and uncertain life.

What follows is the legend of the “fighting” maroons. Outgunned, outmanned and possessing limited resources, this group of so called wild savages, stood toe to toe with the mightiest super power of the era – the British, and negotiated for their freedom – almost a full century before the abolition of slavery in the British colonies in 1834. How was this possible? The Maroons were able to perfect a method of combat known as guerilla warfare that was totally foreign to the British, who were accustomed to engaging their enemies in pitched battles. Under the capable leadership of Captain Cudjoe, Grandy Nanny and others, the Maroons used their knowledge of the rugged, hilly terrain to their advantage. The British forces suffered heavy casualties in the many ambushes set up by the Maroons, who sometimes blended in with their surroundings camouflaged as trees and bushes. The hostilities which lasted intermittently for more than eighty years, culminated in the signing of two peace treaties between the British and Maroon forces in 1739.

As a result of these treaties, several Maroon villages were established in Jamaica shortly thereafter. One of them, Accompong, became home to several hundred former African slaves and their descendants. This town situated in the parish of St. Elizabeth in the rugged, hilly terrain known as “Cockpit Country” is where Anderson has proudly traced his Jamaican ancestry. Further investigations revealed that the founding fathers of Accompong consisted of ethnic groups from the Gold Coast (modern Ghana) and the Congolese (of present day Cameroon). Today, Accompong and the other Jamaican Maroon villages of Scotts Hall, Charles Town and Moore Town, provide us with a living reminder of a proud people whose ancestors succeeded against all odds in their struggle to remain free.

Jamaican-born director Roy Anderson observes, “What started out as a simple family search just really took on a life of its own as I began to learn more about my ancestors. There were days during my research when I was simply not able to contain my pride when I uncovered new found information. My wife and my research mates at the local family history center will tell you. I became even more driven to reconstruct my family history. What a great journey”

Roy serves as interviewer/narrator for Akwantu: The Journey (ah-quent-two-oh). Clifton Rowe, the director’s Jamaican-born uncle ably assists as co-interviewer.

Akwantu: The Journey is written, directed, and produced by Roy T. Anderson; associate producer, Alison G. Anderson; co- interviewer, Clifton Rowe; Photographs by MACPRI; Action 4 Reel Productions

For more information on the documentary, go to: http://www.facebook.com/AkwantuTheJourney

For original report, go to http://boxscorenews.com/akwantu-the-journey-p111-236.htm

Roy T. Anderson and his maroon film project are also featured in the following article in Amsterdam News: http://www.amsterdamnews.com/arts_and_entertainment/article_7586d7bc-c36a-11e0-b1c7-001cc4c03286.html

Roy T. Anderson: Filmmaker documents his heritage

Source: Paul H. Williams, Jamaica Gleaner

Jamaica-born film-maker Roy T. Anderson capturing footage for his film, 'Akwantu - The Journey', on location at the Peace Cave in Accompong, St Elizabeth, recently. - Photo by Paul Williams

The story of the Jamaican Maroons goes back, perhaps, to when the first shipload of slaves arrived in the island. These nonconformists led a life of active and passive resistance in the island’s rugged terrain, and their indomitable spirits wore the oppressors down, leading to their being granted full autonomy of their lands.

The struggle for their freedom, and subsequent independence, are well documented by local and international scholars and researchers, and told in different ways to suit various agendas.

One man who also wants to put his own perspective on this story of epic proportions is Hollywood stuntman and descendant of the Accompong Maroons, Roy T. Anderson.

Trip to motherland

The New Jersey-based film-maker is currently in Jamaica capturing footage for his feature-length documentary, Akwantu – The Journey, which was also shot in Ghana, the United States and Canada. It will feature, inter alia, Anderson’s journey “to the ‘Motherland’ to retrace the steps of his ancestors where they made the agonisingly long trek on foot from the northern countryside to the coastal dungeons of the former Gold Coast (now Ghana)”.

Filming in Africa: Anderson is introduced to Nana Afua Tweneboa, grand daughter of Ashanti warrior Queen Nana Yaa Asantewaa, at the family compound in Ejisu. PHOTO CREDIT: MACPRI

The film is a result of Anderson’s search for his roots. “What really started out several years ago as a simple genealogy project just really took on a life of its own as I began to uncover more and more documentary information about the family elders, like birth certificates, death certificates, etc.,” the writer/producer says of his first documentary. Read more…. (full story at Jamaica Gleaner)

Roy T. Anderson is also featured in this article by Paul H. Williams: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20100628/news/news1.html

New exhibition by artist Marcel Pinas: Kibii wi koni

Source: SrananArt.wordpress.com

On the 21st of June, the Kibii foundation from visual artist Marcel Pinas and the Readytex Art Gallery will launch a series of art exhibitions within the framework of Kibii Wi Koni Marcel Pinas The Event. This large multifaceted event marks the first time ever in Suriname, that an art event of such significant proportions is organized based on the work of one artist only.

The artist’s innovative artworks in a variety of forms (from installations to objects, from videos to paintings), the strong social message within, the ambitious mission for his home district of Marowijne and Pinas’ worldwide achievements in the field of art, simply demand an event of much larger scale than a standard art exhibition. This conviction is further endorsed by the title of the new book about the artist which will be presented at the opening of the first exhibition of the event in the KKF: Marcel Pinas. Artist, more than an artist.

The project Kibii Wi Koni Marcel Pinas The Event presents the work of Surinamese artist Marcel Pinas who is known worldwide for the culturally inspired artworks and art objects which he creates under the theme Kibri a Kulturu (preserve the culture). With his work Pinas creates a lasting record of valuable elements from the maroon culture and by doing so contributes, in his own unique way, to the preservation of the culture that is also his own heritage. In the past few years Pinas has, in part also because of his residency at the Rijksacademie in Amsterdam, exhibited numerous fascinating installations and multimedia art objects on many occasions in Europe and other countries in the region. With his art Pinas calls not only for the preservation of the maroon culture, but also aims to draw attention to serious social and environmental issues currently threatening the wellbeing and the existence of maroon and indigenous communities in Suriname.

Through his Kibii Foundation in Suriname, which operates mainly from the town Moengo in the Northeastern District of Marowijne, Marcel Pinas works on the development, the motivation and the creation of an inspirational nucleus, a space where art- and culture education is offered to young and old in order to provide them with the skills to create a better future for themselves and their families. The Tembe Art Studio (TAS) at Moengo is the center of all these activities. Art objects by Marcel Pinas, amongst which also the well known Moiwana-monument, are dispersed throughout the public space in the district of Marowijne.

With Kibii Wi Koni Marcel Pinas The Event the artist shares with the Surinamese public all his work, including also the objects which have previously gained much attention at his art exhibitions in many countries throughout the World, and with which he has managed to put Surinamese art and artists on the map in a strong and positive way. The exhibitions have their kickoff in June, but the event was officially launched with an interactive educational program for schoolchildren, which ran from March 17 until April 19 in the children’s museum Villa Zapakara. Based on this successful school project a documentary was produced which is named: KIBII WI KONI a Pinas in every child. This film and the work created by the schoolchildren will be included in subsequent activities of the event.

Kibii Wi Koni Marcel Pinas The Event will be continued with the following exhibitions:

•     A comprehensive exhibition of primarily three-dimensional artworks from June 21 – June 28 at the KKF, Prof. W.J.A. Kernkampweg 37, Paramaribo. This exhibition also showcases the majority of artworks that Marcel Pinas has previously exhibited abroad. The evening program consists of lectures, a krutu (conversation), guided tours and cultural performances. On this occasion the new book about Marcel Pinas will also be presented: Marcel Pinas. Artist, more than an artist.
•  An exhibition of new works of art (primarily paintings) from June 29 – July 3 in De Hal, Grote Combéweg 45, Paramaribo. During this exhibition a presentation from Tembe Art Studio (TAS) is included in the program.
•     The comprehensive exhibition will move to the district of Marowijne where it will be on display from July 30- October 30 in de EBS-Hal, Abraham Crijnssenlaan 42, Moengo.

 Kibii Wi Koni Marcel Pinas The Event was made possible by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Activist Erna Aviankoi burglarized

Source: Suriname Stemt

Human rights activist Erna Aviankoi has become the victim of a burglary. Thieves forced their way into her home on Friday May 27th, while Aviankoi was away at work. News of the incident has only now reached the local press. Aviankoi has reported to the police that she was robbed of a laptop, a video camera and two digital voice recorders. She also states that all stolen items  contain sensitive data. According to Aviankoi, the intruders knew exactly what they were looking for. They only took very specific items. Anything else of value they chose to leave behind, she is reported to have said. The police are still investigating the crime. No suspects have been named so far.

Local press in Suriname are speculating a political motive for the burglary, linking it to Aviankoi’s new role among indigenous and Maroon communities in their struggle for land rights. In February Aviankoi was appointed Head Captain by a joint council of Amerindian and Maroon dignitaries in Langatabiki.

As Head Captain, Aviankoi primarily voices the claim for land rights. She also speaks up against commercial gold mining on traditional Amerinidan and Maroon territories. Her new role has made her a direct opponent of the Suriname government, who continues to allocate gold mining concessions (most recently in respect to Lake Brokopondo) despite urgent requests and demands from forest populations to wait until their land rights are secured.  

 

Accompong Town gets Internet cafe

Source: Jamaica Observer

SANTA CRUZ, St Elizabeth — The Maroon community of Accompong Town in St Elizabeth, Jamaica, now has an Internet café, which was established through funding from the Universal Access Fund (UAF), a government entity.

According to Jamaica Observer, the Jamaica Information Service (JIS) is reporting that at a recent handing over ceremony, head of the Maroon Council, Colonel Ferron Williams expressed gratitude to the donors. He promised that the community will care for the facility and extend its use to surrounding areas.

“We are grateful to the Universal Access Fund for their donation in making the Internet café in Accompong Town possible. The Internet café is not only beneficial to those who live in the community but to those who are from neighbouring communities. I want to assure the sponsors that the communities will ensure that it will be operated in an efficient and effective manner,” he stated.

Junior member of the Council, Rhojel Dixon, said the facility, consisting of 12 computers, will be used for the advancement of education. He said that students, who need to access the Internet for their school work, will no longer have to travel outside of Accompong to do so.

“It is a dream come true for the community; we are eternally grateful for having this facility. It has helped us to realise that, though we are a community steeped in tradition, we can indeed appreciate and embrace something of a contemporary nature. It has enlightened us to a reality that the remoteness of our location does not mean that we have to be remote in our knowledge,” he said.

Head of the UAF, Hugh Cross, urged the residents to ensure that the facility is kept in good condition and that the resources are used for the economic and social benefit of the community.

For original report, visit Jamaica Observer.

Interview with Dr. Cheryl White, Maroon archeologist

Dr. Cheryl White is one of few archeologists to explore Maroon sites in Suriname and Jamaica. As a member of the Maroon Heritage Research Project, she traveled deep into the jungles of Suriname and dug up pottery and other artifacts to form theories on the lives of earlier Maroons.

She fluently speaks the languages of the Ndyuka and Saramaka (Suriname Maroons) and is currently authoring a book on Maroon archeology. She is also looking into possibilities to develop an archeological institute in Suriname.

Abeng Central contacted Dr. White to ask her about her work as a Maroon archeologist in the Caribbean. Read the interview here…

3rd International Maroon Conference in Jamaica

The 3rd International Maroon Conference, “The Return,” will take place in Charles Town, Portland, Jamaica, on June 22-25 2011. The deadline for abstracts is March 30, 2011.

The convention seeks papers and panels that explore representations of Maroon culture in history, literature, art, music, political theory, cultural studies, film, linguistics, and theatre. With its theme “The Return,” it seeks to revisit the roots of Maroon values and practices, considering the ways they have endured, transformed and resonated in the Caribbean, Canada, South America, Europe, the United States, and Africa. Offering a unique combination of scholarly panels and cultural events, the third international Maroon conference aims to increase awareness of Maroon contributions to contemporary societies, bringing together descendants of Maroons with scholars interested in Maroon heritage and indigenous cultures.

The conference cultural events and entertainment will commemorate the Annual Quao Victory Day (June 23 2011), and they are part of a larger effort to develop strategies for sustainable development and wealth creation in Maroon communities.

Please send abstracts (by March 30 2011) or inquiries to Frances Botkin at fbotkin@towson.edu

For original call for papers, see the Department of English at the University of Pennsylvania