Reflecting on Events of Jamaican Pride in 2005
Island to Island
by Ralston Blair

With the old year now behind us and the new year looming ahead, I thought it would be good to reflect on some of the events Jamaicans could look back on with pride for 2005.

The success of 18-year-old Asafa Powell in gaining the title for the fastest recorded time at the World Junior Sprints was an achievement that endeared many Jamaicans toward this young man and to his future possibilities. The continuation of the island's premier agricultural event, The Denbigh Agricultural Show, for its 53rd year, is strong testimony of its organization and its appeal. Jamaica held its own in the IAAF World Athletics Championship in Helsinki, Finland, where it secured an accumulation of eight medals (one gold, five silver, two bronze) in addition to ranking an astonishing ninth place in the overall medal standings, over many larger and more developed nations. Jamaica also became the leading cruise ship destination for the Caribbean in 2005 and boasted 1.13 million arriving by cruise ship (a 3.3 percent growth over the previous year) along with a 1.4 million figure for land-based visitors.

In key areas, such as entertainment, sports, tourism, as well as some aspects of business and agriculture, Jamaica maintained a solid reputation in these respective markets.

The History of the Jamaican Maroons

The name Maroons, from the Spanish word cimarron, an expression used from the 16th century onward, was used to describe African slaves who escaped to freedom from slavery after the British captured the island from the Spanish. While the two European forces waged war for dominance of the island, these former slaves either took the opportunity to escape into the hills or were released, in some cases, by their Spanish captors. After taking to the hills, they hid deeply within the thick undergrowth of the interior areas of the island. After the Spanish were conquered by the British in 1655, they tried to recapture these former slaves. In response, guerilla warfare was successfully waged against the British forces by the Maroons.

Maroons were regularly in conflict with the British colonial authorities in Jamaica throughout the 18th century. They proved to be a thorn in the side of the British; raiding plantations and stealing valuable rations, and deftly melting back into the bushes. Many British soldiers became casualties from efforts to infiltrate the Maroons in their mountain hideouts.

Eventually, a peace treaty seemed the wisest option for the British and in 1739 one of the major Maroon leaders, Cudjoe, agreed to sign the treaty, thereby agreeing to cease all raids of plantations in return for complete immunity and freedom from capture, along with control of an agreed lot of land. A clause was also included whereby the Maroons were required to return any runaway slaves from the plantations back into the hands of the British. This clause made it far more difficult for any slaves choosing to escape thereafter, as they could no longer depend on the kind mercies of the Maroons in that part of the island.

And so it came about that these Maroons, after a long and courageous struggle, having achieved their objectives of freedom and the right to manage their own affairs, gave up their revolutionary role and became the allies of the British Government. Originally moved by a passion for freedom and justice, these African men and women, virtually weaponless, relying on their own skills, their courage, their own will, their own capacity for leadership and organization, waged war against England for more than 60 years and secured their freedom and independence.

Until next time, stay Irie!

Ralston Blair is a Jamaican writer and journalist who has worked the past several summers on Mackinac Island. He is writing this year from Jamaica. Ideas and comments about his column can be delivered in care of the Town Crier.