Charles Town Maroon Festival

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Cultural & TraditionalCharles Town
DatesDates TBA · Usually JuneCheck locally before booking
DurationAnnualEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forLiving tradition, ritual symbolsThe festival's defining feature is its
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: JMD
CategoryCultural & TraditionalFestival type
The story

Charles Town Maroon Festival in Charles Town

Charles Town's International Maroon Conference and Festival in Portland parish culminates each June 23 on Ancestor Quao Victory Day, marking the 1739 treaty that ended the Windward Maroons' war with British forces. The multi-day event mixes academic conference sessions with Kromanti, Kumina and Rasta drumming, a parade of chiefs, and ceremonies at the sacred Asafu Yard.

Charles Town, a Windward Maroon settlement in Portland parish, holds its International Maroon Conference and Festival each year around June 23, the date in 1739 when Captain Quao, remembered locally as the Invisible Hunter, signed the Windward Maroons' own treaty of peace with British colonial forces, ending the First Maroon War from the eastern side of the island.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

The festival's defining feature is its direct tie to Captain Quao's 1739 treaty, marked specifically as Ancestor Quao Victory Day at the Asafu Yard and along the Spanish River, distinguishing Charles Town's commemoration from other Maroon communities honoring different leaders and separately negotiated treaties from the same year

02

The mystery stays covered

Combining a formal history conference with hands-on Kromanti drumming, a parade of chiefs and open African dance classes gives the event both a scholarly and a participatory dimension in one multi-day program

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Ancestor Quao Victory Day on June 23 anchors the festival

Water and renewal

Living ritual

marked with Kromanti drumming

The sacred route

Living ritual

a parade of Maroon chiefs

The local code

Living ritual

and ceremonies at the Asafu Yard commemorating the Windward Maroons' 1739 treaty under Captain Quao

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually June

Getting around

For Charles Town Maroon Festival, plan transport around the exact Charles Town venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Comfortable outdoor clothing and sturdy footwear suited to a rural, partly forested mountain setting; modest, respectful dress for ceremonial portions at the Asafu Yard.

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

For Charles Town Maroon Festival, stay near the part of Charles Town you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

JMD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map18.21 N, 76.67 WOpen in Google Maps

Charles Town, Portland, Jamaica

Nearest airportKIN — Norman Manley
TransportFor Charles Town Maroon Festival, plan transport around the exact Charles Town venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor Charles Town Maroon Festival, stay near the part of Charles Town you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Charles Town via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Charles Town, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for June.Compare faresFestival gearComfortable outdoor clothing and sturdy footwear suited to a rural, partly forested mountain setting; modest, respectful dress for ceremonial portions at the Asafu Yard.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Jamaica and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Charles Town Maroon Festival?

Charles Town Maroon Festival is listed for June. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Charles Town Maroon Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Charles Town, Jamaica. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Annual is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Charles Town, Portland, Jamaica

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLcharlestownmaroons.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually June
Source statusOfficial source linked
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