LINX Journey to Accompong photographic exhibition
launched at Institute of Jamaica
Members of the LINX along with Executive Director of the IOJ, Mr. Vivian Crawford and Deputy Director, David Brown pose for a picture after the launch of the Journey to Accompong exhibition at the Institute of Jamaica on Sunday. From left to right are; Asia Bharj, David Brown, Eve Baker, Blain Powell, Vivian Crawford, Jennie Baptiste and Val Lyons
The highly anticipated LINX “Journey to Accompong” photographic exhibition produced
by The LINX, a London based group of six students was mounted at the Institute of
Jamaica on Sunday July 6, 2008.
The LINX decided to launch the exhibition in Jamaica, as a sequel to an exhibition
which was launched in London to share what they had learnt about the Accompong Maroons.
They say even though the Maroons have such tremendous influence in West Indian history,
too little information was circulated about their struggles against British colonial
rule.
Chairman of the Accompong Maroons, Colonel Peddie (left) and Deputy chairman, Colonel Currie look intently at the programme at the opening of the exhibition
The LINX is a group of 14 to 19 year olds who came together in 2006. In celebration
of the 200th abolition of the slave trade in Britain in 2007, they decided to research
the history of African resistance to slavery and recognized the struggles of the
Accompong Maroons in Jamaica as significant in Jamaica’s history. They noted that
the Maroons used their ingenuity to defeat the British and to resist enslavement.
The LINX Journey to Accompong photographic exhibition was then conceptualized to
mark the occasion.
Val Lyons, vice-chair of the LINX group said it is important that Jamaica reflects
on the lifestyle of the Maroons and invest in this aspect of our history. He said,
“The LINX found Accompong a treasure chest of historical knowledge and sources.
One of the most impressive aspects of the Maroon people is the fact that they have
survived a turbulent history and still present today with a culture as strong as
ever in modern Jamaica.”
Executive Director of the Institute of Jamaica, Mr. Vivian Crawford (right) and deputy chairman of the Accompong Maroons, Colonel Currie view one of the photographs on display in the LINX Journey to Accompong exhibition
He pointed out that this is one aspect of our history of which Jamaicans can be
proud. Mr. Lyons said the LINX hopes that through this exhibition they will make
more people aware of the role the Maroons played in shaping Jamaica’s history. “We
hope our work will serve as a testament and tribute to the Maroon people of Jamaica
and increase awareness of their strong, colourful legacy.”
Mr. Bernard Jankee, Director of the African Caribbean Institute of Jamaica/Jamaica
Memory Bank (ACIJ/JMB) in his address as guest speaker said the Maroons epitomize
the resilience of Jamaicans. He said out of the slavery experience, the Maroons
have turned “bitter into sweet and weakness into strength.” He said as Jamaicans,
we owe a great deal of gratitude to the Maroons for resisting injustice and oppression.
Mr. Jankee also stated that the Maroons represent the best of Jamaica and they have
maintained their traditions and this is an indication of their pride in who they
are. He lauded the efforts of the LINX members, pointing out that what they have
done will go a far way in educating many others because “sharing culture is one
way of sharing understanding,” he said.
Chairman of the Accompong Maroons, Colonel Peddie said they will try to keep the
Maroon culture alive because if they lose that, they lose everything.
The Exhibition is mounted at the Exhibition Gallery of The Institute of Jamaica.
It is set to run from July 6th to July 31st and is open to the public Mondays- Thursdays
9:00 am to 4:00 pm and Fridays 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Click here to read speech
done by LINX at Accompong
Members of the Junior Centre drummers perform at the opening of the exhibition
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Two women view pieces from the LINX Journey to Accompong exhibition on display at the Exhibition Gallery of the Institute of Jamaica
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