Home of the Windward Maroons
Experience Living Maroon Heritage
Charles Town welcomes you to a four-day cultural journey of roots, rhythm, knowledge, food, community, and legacy.
Charles Town welcomes you to a four-day cultural journey of roots, rhythm, knowledge, food, community, and legacy.
Charles Town is one of Jamaica's important living Maroon communities, where history, culture, and tradition continue to shape daily life. Home of the Windward Maroons and the legacy of Ancestor Quao, Charles Town offers visitors an opportunity to experience authentic Maroon heritage through community, music, storytelling, cuisine, ceremony, and celebration.
Whether you are visiting for the 18th Annual International Charles Town Maroon Conference & Festival or exploring the community throughout the year, you are invited to discover a heritage that is preserved in the lives, traditions, and spirit of the people of Charles Town.
Here, heritage is lived, shared, and passed forward from generation to generation.
Chairman Michael Lumsden welcomes participants, presenters, partners, supporters, and visitors to Charles Town for a gathering where history, heritage, scholarship, creativity, and community engagement come together.
The message pays tribute to the builders of the Festival and points toward Ancestor Quao Victory Day as the centrepiece of the annual observance.
Read Chairman's MessageThe event moves through a clear journey: Roots → Culture → Knowledge → Legacy.
Children, elders, health, games, sacred fire, river ceremony, and indigenous teachings.
Day 1Abeng, libation, West African drumming, dance, Kumina, Nyabinghi, and celebration.
Day 2Historical resilience, living resilience, and futures of resilience through scholarship and community voices.
Day 3Spanish River, Asafu Yard, ancestral tribute, stories, ceremony, Maroon communities, and victory songs.
Day 4Day 1 brought children, elders, community activity, sacred river observance, and living Maroon heritage together at Charles Town.
Children and community members sharing in Day 1 activities.
Participants gathered near the river as part of the opening day journey.
The festival grounds active with visitors, families, and community participation.
Traditional ceremonial observance at the river, connecting participants with Indigenous and ancestral traditions.
Cultural interpretation and storytelling highlighting Taíno heritage, spirituality, and traditional knowledge.
Opening day activity from Charles Town.
Additional field footage from Community & Taíno Day.
Yucahuna Kachi Areito, sacred fire, river offerings, teachings, songs and dance.
Rhythm, sound therapy, workshops, cultural presentation, and community performance.
Authentic jerk, bussu, crayfish, run dung, ground provisions, and sweet treats.
Stay near the river, the fire, the food, the music, and the community.
Camp-In and food booth options help turn attendance into immersion.
View Stay OptionsThe Academic Conference explores resilience across yesterday, today and tomorrow, bringing together scholars, Indigenous and Maroon knowledge keepers, cultural workers, students and community voices.
Historical ResilienceLiving ResilienceImagining Futures
Partner messages have now been added for CHASE Fund and TPDCo. The video message area is ready once the completed video file is received.
Partner Messages