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Introducing Accompong
Six hundred meters above sea level, the village of Accompong, on the southwestern edge of Cockpit Country, is the sole remaining village in western Jamaica inhabited by descendants of the Maroons. It touts itself for that, but it’s also a good base for exploring the region of Cockpit Country known as Me No Sen You No Come.
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The village still enjoys aspects of quasi-autonomy and is headed by a ‘colonel’ (currently Sydney Peddie) elected by secret ballot for a period of five years. The colonel appoints and oversees a council, and it is considered proper etiquette to introduce yourself upon visiting (464-0651).
Local artisans still make goombay drums here. These – along with an array of medicinal herbs, calabashes and abeng horns – are for sale in the tiny red-and-green-painted craft shop as you enter town. The hand-carved goombay drum is box-shaped and covered with goatskin, and makes a wonderfully deep and resonant racket. A large one will set you back US$150.
Last updated: Mar 2, 2009
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