THE ANNUAL 'Quao Day' celebrations being held at Saffu Yard in Charles Town, Portland since Friday culminates today, Quao Day, with a symposium on Maroon history and culture.
Among the presenters are Carey Robinson and Bev Carey, two of the leading authors and historians on the Maroons; Professor Barry Chevannes, dean of the Department of Social Studies at the University of the West Indies (UWI); Mutabaruka, a leading Rastafarian poet, talk show host and actor; and Ted Emmanuel, a well known herbalist.
A number of activities are being planned to make the culmination of the celebrations today, something to remember. There will be an exchange of greetings by the colonels of the major Maroon communities in Jamaica, including Moore Town, Charles Town and Accompong.
In addition, there will be the opening of the Charles Town Maroon museum at Saffu Yard, which is being organised by the Institute of Jamaica and will have on display several objects and artefacts, including the gifts presented to the Charles Town Maroons by the Kwahu People of Ghana, who visited last year.
The Nanny/Quao Abeng Award, presented last year to Clement 'Sir Coxsone' Dodd for his outstanding contribution to the development of Jamaican culture through music, will this year be presented to Vivian Crawford, the executive director of the Institute of Jamaica.
Prime Minister, The Most Hon. P.J. Patterson, commenting on the celebration of Quao Day, stated that "the history of the Maroons in Jamaica is a significant feature of our heritage and the spirit of these ancestors is evident in many aspects of our daily lives. It is fitting therefore that we recognise their contribution to the early development of Jamaica and show our gratitude for the rich legacy they bequeathed to us in dance, music, cuisine, craft and many other areas of natural life."
The Charles Town Maroons celebrate Quao Day in memory of Captain Quao, the Maroon leader and military strategist who, along with national hero Nanny, led the Windward Maroons in victory over the British troops in battles along the Spanish River in Portland.
