African royal delegation visits Jamaica again
‘The intent was to continue building a relationship of cooperation with the Maroons based on Pan-African principles, which commenced during a visit of African kings and queens from Uganda, Cameroon, and South Africa who are part of the AIDO royal community, to Accompong in March 2023.’
AT THE recent January 6 Maroons celebrations at Accompong Town in St Elizabeth, there was a group of people who drew stares, and perhaps admiration, wherever they went because they were bedecked in outstanding Africanesque attire and accessories.
They were part of the AIDO African Royal Delegation to Jamaica, from January 3-10, led by His Highness Paul Jones Eganda, Papa Ateker I, president of AIDO Network International/Uganda Global Afraka.
The AIDO Royal community, a branch of AIDO Network International, is a nongovernmental organisation that brings together 645 kingdoms and other cultural entities in Africa and the African diaspora, working collaboratively to advance an agenda for the growth and development of Africa and her diaspora.
This is being implemented through initiatives to promote awareness of human rights; advocacy for reparatory justice; promoting business and investment; and using culture to promote unity, development and social change.
It was the delegation’s second trip to Accompong Town, and it was “to show solidarity with the Maroon people and join the celebration of the 286th anniversary of the 1738 Maroon treaty with the British”.
“The intent was to continue building a relationship of cooperation with the Maroons based on Pan-African principles, which commenced during a visit of African kings and queens from Uganda, Cameroon, and South Africa who are part of the AIDO royal community, to Accompong in March 2023,” the group told The Gleaner.
The delegation also said that it was honoured to have participated i n the ceremony on the sacred grounds under The Kindah Tree. Members were introduced to and addressed the huge crowd that looked on in fascination. Chief Richard Currie was given a ‘shield’ from Uganda, and Queen Agoye was adorned with a cowrie shell necklace from Kenya. These were among the gifts from the delegation to the members of the Council of Accompong.
The delegation said, “AIDO has been partnering with the CARICOM Reparations Commission (CRC) since 2022 to increase awareness and support for the reparatory justice claim for over 300 years of trafficking Africans from the continent, chattel enslavement, and colonisation of Africa and the Americas.”
The partnership on the reparations agenda has included the participation of CRC members in the AIDO Fourth and Fifth Conventions in Atlanta, USA, and Mombasa, Kenya, respectively; visits of African traditional leaders to Guyana and Antigua and Barbuda in July 2022 for the annual Emancipation Day observances; and to Jamaica in March 2023 for the Reparations and Royalty Symposium and visit.
FOLLOW-UP INITIATIVES
This time around, the delegation also met with Vice Chancellor of The University of the West Indies Professor Hilary Beckles at the Regional Headquarters of The University of the West Indies on Mona Road in St Andrew.
“This reconciliation gathering, which took place on 8th January, brought the leaders together to address a number of challenges within Maroon communities with a view to forging ahead in unity,” the delegation said.
Gaamang Gloria ‘Mama G’ Simms of the Maroon Women Network and Charles Town, Portland; Gaama Akinsanya; Colonel Lloyd Lattibeaudiere and Secretary Jacqueline Phillips of the Scotts Hall Maroons; and Chief Richard Currie, Ambassador Anu El, and Brother Roy Harris of Accompong Town were also in the meeting, which agreed on follow-up initiatives and next steps.
These included organising a threeday symposium this year at The UWI to highlight and document Maroon history; advocacy for recognition of the Maroon’s pivotal place in Jamaica’s history and adequate consultation with the Maroons in the process of constitutional reform; launching a campaign to correct historical injustices with accurate refocusing; and rebranding of the Maroon legacy and narrative within Jamaican history.
The Maroon leaders proposed regular quarterly meetings, i ntervention strategies, and a calendar of existing ancestral sacred events hosted by respective communities to strengthen unity and address practical challenges faced by Maroon communities. And there is the matter of reconnection to Africa.
The delegation said: “The reconnection agenda is being advanced jointly by traditional African kingdoms and the Global African Diaspora Kingdom, which together constitute AIDO Royal Community. The traditional kingdoms of AIDO have welcomed over 50 diaspora royals back home to Africa, expanding the reach and impact of indigenous African traditional leaders and communities through initiatives in culture, education, spirituality and recognition (enstoolment, chieftaincy and queenship), as well as trade and investment.”
Other members of the delegation were Chief Baiba (Carlton Darby), enstooled in the Pokomo Royal Kingdom, Kenya; Queen Mother Dr ChenziRa Hajila Adeke Davis Kahina, Pokomo Royal Kingdom, Kenya/AIDO Uganda, and of the Caribbean Pan-African Network; HM Princess Queen IkatekitGamachana (Jenny Abbensetts), Pokomo Kenya/AIDO Uganda, Guyana; HRH Queen Vickylextar Okang-Sowah of the Omanye Royal Kingdom – Ghana; HRH Queen Dr. Hillary Brown (Queen Asianut Acom II), of the CARICOM Secretariat; and Lady Chrystal Urbureau, Omanye Royal Kingdom – Ghana, residing in Canada.