Roddy blows the Abeng to alert all maroons that there are visitors in the area. The vine around his neck is the 5 bredda. |
Both women whose bodies were taken over by spirits, are being held. |
The outing to Scotts Hall maroon settlement in St. Mary was full of even more excitement.
For while we were there, two women had their bodies taken over by their ancestors and created quite a scene.
I have seen similar scenes three times before, once at a kumina ceremony in St. Thomas, once with the "raising of the table" at Devon house and yesterday and to tell the truth, no matter how convincing they look, I can't believe it is no allt an act.
Yesterday, when we got back from Bowling water falls, we saw quite a crowd as a group of maroons who were claiming that one faction was putting on all the events and making all the money off their culture and traditions, was not including everyone.
Even the police was there when we arrived as there seems to be real fear of a violent outbreak.
In fact a friend told me today that there was a notice in the Saturday papers saying that (someone, she could not remember the name) was not authorized to conduct business on behalf of the
Scotts Hall maroons.
Yesterday, when we got back from Bowling water falls, we saw quite a crowd as a group of maroons who were claiming that one faction was putting on all the events and making all the money off their culture and traditions, was not including everyone.
This policeman was a credit to the force |
In fact a friend told me today that there was a notice in the Saturday papers saying that (someone, she could not remember the name) was not authorized to conduct business on behalf of the
Scotts Hall maroons.
I subsequently found the paper and it says;
NOTICE, "The public is hereby notified that Mr. Noel Prehay Colonel, Uri Prehay Deputy, Natalee Burton Secretary & Dana Henry Treasurer of the Scotts Hall maroons are no longer authorized to conduct any business on behalf of the Scotts Hall maroons."
But if they intended that notice to impress outsiders, it couldn't , as it was unsigned!
When we went there on the scouting mission, we were directed to Roddy who is their Public Relations Officer and he put Charles on to Sweetie who seems to be on the executive too.
On Sunday when we got there, we were met by three guides who all seem to have official positions as they all had badges.
The problem seems to be that the faction that is making the accusations does not support Mr. Noel Prehay who we were told was the longest serving Maroon colonel in Jamaica....35 years.
But his detractors say no general meetings are being held to allow them to elect new members of the executive and they have lost confidence in those who now hold the positions.
While cockroach nuh business inna fowl fight, I must say the policeman who was there is the most efficient policeman I have ever seen in operation in Jamaica during my long life. For he was calm as he tried to moderate between the both factions and talk some sense into them. Not the usual aggressive and intimidating police we are accustomed to seeing operation. I am sorry I never got his name.
Anyway the excitement and taking over of the bodies by the ancestors occurred when the conflict arose and we were told that is what happens when bad vibes are around.
Apparently the two ladies who were taken over by spirits were mother and daughter. Miss Sweetie, our great cook was the mother and when she saw her daughter's body being taken over, having to be held firmly and having white rum sprayed over her, she took a dive too.
People who were near to the daughter said after it was over, her eyes were glazed, she wanted water and asked what had happened and it was too convincing to have been an act. But I guess not until I am personally taken over by a spirit will I believe such things happen.
Apart from that extra excitement, it was a wonderful day. There were close to forty of us who made the trek, some riding and some hiking from Grandy Hole brdge which is as far as you travel on the Junction road before bearing west to the Scotts hall settlement.
This requires a group of maroons to gather around the afflicted person and the ancestors will enter the body of any one and instruct what has to be done to heal the person.
We we arrived at the beautiful valley after crossing a stream from Irie river which forms the Bowling water fall above and headed to the picnic grounds beside the Wag Water river the food was almost ready.
That area is well organised for picnics, even having a thatch building with a toilet.
NOTICE, "The public is hereby notified that Mr. Noel Prehay Colonel, Uri Prehay Deputy, Natalee Burton Secretary & Dana Henry Treasurer of the Scotts Hall maroons are no longer authorized to conduct any business on behalf of the Scotts Hall maroons."
A photo opportunity at entrance of Maroon Town road |
When we went there on the scouting mission, we were directed to Roddy who is their Public Relations Officer and he put Charles on to Sweetie who seems to be on the executive too.
On Sunday when we got there, we were met by three guides who all seem to have official positions as they all had badges.
Colonel Prehay poses with Raquel, Betty and the craft vendor |
But his detractors say no general meetings are being held to allow them to elect new members of the executive and they have lost confidence in those who now hold the positions.
While cockroach nuh business inna fowl fight, I must say the policeman who was there is the most efficient policeman I have ever seen in operation in Jamaica during my long life. For he was calm as he tried to moderate between the both factions and talk some sense into them. Not the usual aggressive and intimidating police we are accustomed to seeing operation. I am sorry I never got his name.
The large seeds of the cacoon vine |
Anyway the excitement and taking over of the bodies by the ancestors occurred when the conflict arose and we were told that is what happens when bad vibes are around.
People who were near to the daughter said after it was over, her eyes were glazed, she wanted water and asked what had happened and it was too convincing to have been an act. But I guess not until I am personally taken over by a spirit will I believe such things happen.
Thrillers pose at the healing ground during the scouting mission |
Apart from that extra excitement, it was a wonderful day. There were close to forty of us who made the trek, some riding and some hiking from Grandy Hole brdge which is as far as you travel on the Junction road before bearing west to the Scotts hall settlement.
Although this group of maroons have a lot of land in Gibbs hill, Scott hall and Castleton, all designated as communal land, we were told they can now get individual titles for pieces of land to allow them to benefit from their being National Housing Trust contributions.
Pot a boil |
When we arrived there, we were welcomed by Roddy, who blew the abeng (proper maroon name Jebry) after sprinkling it with white rum, to give it a better sound he said. The blowing of the abeng before entering the sacred areas is to advise all maroons that there are outsiders visiting.
He then took us to the healing ground where he said persons with all kinds of ailments are healed.
This requires a group of maroons to gather around the afflicted person and the ancestors will enter the body of any one and instruct what has to be done to heal the person.
Roddy also introduced us to the 5 bredda bush which is used to work spells against one's enemies.
He had previously introduced us to the seeds of the cacoon vine which he said is the largest seed pod in the world and is native to West Africa. It is used by the maroons for food and the vines for camouflage.
We were told that when it rains, the river comes up so high it sometimes reaches half way up the large guango tree.
The beautiful valley |
That area is well organised for picnics, even having a thatch building with a toilet.
I am not talking about a pit toilet either but flush toilet to boot.
The food was great and I really liked the fu fu which is an African dish. It is made of ground provisions plus plantains and bananas all ground up. They then prepare coconut milk as if for rundown and cook the fu fu in it. It was so delicious I had to commandeer some to go home with.
The river was not too deep as it is the drought season but we had enough water to swim in and have a great time.
Some of us then walked up the Irie river to the Bowling falls which is to the west of the picnic grounds.
Because of the drought, it too was not as heavy as it should but good enough to splash around in and have a great time.
Although there were nice craft items there, I doubt if the artist got any patronage because of the conflict between the maroons which diverted so much of our attention.
Boys will be boys! |
It was another great outing with the team, thanks to the miserable Ayatollah for the excellent organisation and Charles 1st for introducing the area to us in the first place.
Craft items on display |
Some photos compliments of Omar Downie.
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