celebrate the Accompong Maroon Festival, which
honors Cudjoe, who led the Maroons to a temporary
victory over the British during th war of 1729-1739.
February- carnival month throughout the entire Caribbean. In
Kingston the University of West Indies hosts a two-
week celebration; people assemble for fashion shows, calypso competitions and all-night dances.
April- Jamaica holds its own Jamaica Carnival, beginning on
Easter Day and lasting for a week.
August- the Jamaica Festival coincides with celebrations of
Emancipation Day (Aug. 1) and Independence Day
(Aug. 6). The festival features competitions in all the
major arts, as well as culinary arts. People also enjoy
beach parties, calypso, reggea, and soca music.
Labour Day (May 23)- it originally celebrated the activities of
the trade union movement, but since
1972 it has been a day for community
service, which includes repairing roads,
painting schools, and planting trees and decorative shrubbery.
Independence Day (Aug. 6)- it is celebrated on the first Monday of August. It is entirely given over
to celebrations that mark Jamaica's independence from Britain.
Christmas (Dec. 25)- the biggest family event of the year.
Jamaicans celebrate by exchanging gifts
and have large meals. They visit relatives
houses follow during the wek of
Christmas and New Years.