Developing ACCOMPONG as a Prototype of Community-based Attraction

Accompong in St. Elizabeth is now a model community-based tourism attraction that received development assistance from TPDCo and is regarded as a prototype for community-based tourism development. Community-based tourism development is part of TPDCo’s strategy for diversification and enhancement of the tourism product.

The company’s input started in 2000, and focused on the areas of human resource upgrading, infrastructural development and standards upgrading.TPDCo's integrated approach was developed from the recommendations of an audit of the needs, level of skills, customs and norms, attitudes, education levels, and physical capacity of the community.  Solutions were tailored to accommodate the peculiarities of the Maroon village and attention paid to elevating the project to tourism standards of safety, health and environment.

Achievements:
The major achievement of this project was the community’s transformation to a vibrant entity that created entrepreneurs, a people more aware of the value of their talents and resources, a people who are better equipped, more open and more welcoming to visitors, and benefiting also from the ultimate goal of income generation.

There was an increased level of socio-economic improvement measured by the following criteria:

• Creation of a culture of inclusion in the industry
• Trained community members who were also given exposure in several areas
• Infrastructural improvements
• Product diversification
• Cultural authentication
• Renewal of interest in cultural heritage and traditions
• Development of the natural creative energy of Jamaicans by transforming average citizens into entrepreneurs
• Increased vibrancy in the community
• Creation of income generating products and services 

The mobilization of the people, their responsiveness and ultimate acceptance of change was an inspiration for the TPDCo team who themselves enjoyed a truly remarkable learning experience from the Maroons.  The company continues to monitor the operations of the Maroon Village with a view to ensuring its sustainability.


Experience an Authentic Jamaican Attraction with a Walk Through Accompong

The resounding beat of the Gumbay Drums and the wailing Abeng invoke memories of the rich past of the Maroon people. They conjure up images of brave Maroons waging war against the powerful British army, running through the harsh cockpit hills, strategically planning for the ultimate defeat of the British forces. The community of Accompong is home to over 700 Maroons, descendants of the Coromante, Ashanti and Congo tribes of Africa.

The community is replete with sights and sounds of the past. A tour yields sites which tell their own ancient stories - winding rugged terrain leading up into the lush hills which gave cover to the Maroons, and sustained them as they fought against the British army. As one ventures closer and closer to the clearing atop the hill which is present day Accompong, the foliage, clean environment and cool air seem to provide a sense of peace in an area which was once the scene of decades of guerrilla warfare.


CUDJOE MONUMENT
The Cudjoe Monument immortalizes the life and works of war hero Cudjoe who engineered the final defeat of the British forces after 80 years of fighting. The monument, flying the blood red and black flag with the picture of the Abeng, beckons to visitors as they enter the village.


SEALED GROUND
There are four sealed grounds in the community, special places where the traditional religious ceremonies were held for the protection of the village. The persons who lived on the sealed grounds were considered to have special powers or gifts. The sealed grounds are still connected to the ancestral January celebrations and the New Year marches when ceremonies are performed in honour of the dead. Rum libation is used and special songs are sung in the Coromante language.

HERBAL GARDEN
Maroon culture is steeped in herbal lore. Maroons have used herbs traditionally for health care, from treating the common cold to care during child birth. Two years ago the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) began providing funding and technical assistance for the development of a herbal project to empower the women of Accompong. This project includes the planting of a herbal garden and the packaging of herbs for sale.


KINDAH TREE
The Kindah Tree is an ancient Mango tree, and under its branches Col. Cudjoe held the meetings to bring the three tribes, Ashanti, Coromante and Congo, together in the fight against the British. The word “Kindah” means one family, and the Kindah Tree plays a significant role in maintaining the family unity in the community, being the place where the Maroons pay homage to their ancestors during the January celebrations.


BURIAL GROUNDS
There are three ancient burial grounds in Accompong, representing the three tribes which make up the Maroons- the Coromante, the Ashanti and the Congo. Crotons and Dragon’s Blood plants mark the spots where the cemeteries are located.


THE BICKLE VILLAGE
The Bickle Village is an area of the community consisting of buildings made of wattle, with grass roofs. The village, a model of traditional Maroon housing, was constructed with the assistance of TPDCo.

THE ACCOMPONG MUSUEM
Showcases artifacts and other vestiges of Maroon life.