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Maroon Town

Jamaica Saint James Maroon Town

Maroon Town is a settlement in Jamaica. Population less than 4,000. The community sits approximately 29 kilometers southwest of Montego Bay, the Parish Capital. It is a former home of Maroon slaves and has been a place of archaeological research. 

Accompong (from the Akan language) is the name of the settlement located in the Cockpit Country (now part nature reserve) , where the local terrain enabled Maroons and indigenous Taino to establish a fortified stronghold in the 17th century. They defended it to maintain independence from the Spanish and then later against British forces, after the colony changed hands.

The people named their community Accompong after an early Maroon leader, brother of CUdjoe, a famour Maroon freedom fighter. Jamaica's only female national hero, Nanny, is known as Nanny of the Maroons, a leader of the community. Their autonomy with certain rights for limited self government was established by a peace treaty with the British in 1739. Since independence in 1962, the government of Jamaica has continued to recognize Maroon indigenous rights in this area. Every year people head to the village for their annual festival.