Accompong

Accompong is one of Jamaica's most historically significant communities - a Maroon village that has maintained its autonomy since the peace treaty of 1739 with the British Crown. Nestled in the rugged Cockpit Country of St. Elizabeth, this remarkable community has preserved its African heritage, customs, and traditions for over three centuries.

The Maroons were enslaved Africans who escaped from Spanish and later British plantations, establishing free communities in Jamaica's most inaccessible terrain. Under the legendary warrior Cudjoe, they waged a successful guerrilla war against the British, eventually winning their freedom and land rights through treaty.

Today, Accompong remains semi-autonomous, with its own Colonel (leader), governing council, and distinct cultural practices. Visitors can explore the village, learn about Maroon history at the small museum, and witness traditional drumming and dancing that connects directly to West African roots.

The annual Accompong Maroon Festival on January 6th celebrates the birthday of Captain Cudjoe and the signing of the peace treaty. This vibrant celebration draws Maroons from across Jamaica and visitors from around the world for traditional ceremonies, music, and the cooking of authentic Maroon cuisine.

The surrounding Cockpit Country offers some of Jamaica's most dramatic and unexplored landscape - a karst terrain of steep-sided hills and deep valleys that provided natural protection for the Maroons.