RELIGIOUS BELIEFS AND PRACTICES OF MAROON CHILDREN OF JAMAICA

Statement of the Problem. The purpose of this research was to identify whether Jamaican Maroon children's formal church school curriculum and the traditional religious beliefs and practices of the Jamaican Maroon people are reflected in the children's beliefs and practices of religion. The research concentrated on children from six to twelve years of age. Data for this study was collected in the Maroon community of Accompong.;Methodology. A variety of methods were used in this study. The historical method of investigation was used to identify and describe traditional religious beliefs and practices of Maroons. Examination of this data provided a background for the research which described aspects of the lives of slaves in Jamaica from 1655 to 1805. The data also provided general information about the early lifestyle of Maroons in isolation and the activities of some Christian groups among the Maroons.;To describe the present curriculum used by Maroon children an exploration was made of all of the resources included in the church school curriculum used in the United Church, The Caribbean Christian Living Series, as well as the Religious Education Syllabus of the primary school.;To ascertain present beliefs and practices of Maroon children data was collected during a field study consisting of two visits to Accompong, covering a total time period of six weeks. All data was combined in columns in a chart of beliefs and practices for purposes of comparison of similarities and differences whenever possible.;To accomplish this research four subproblems were explored: (1) To identify and describe traditional religious beliefs and practices of Maroons of Jamaica. (2) To describe the present church school curriculum of Maroon children of Jamaica. (3) To identify the religious beliefs and practices of Maroon children of Jamaica, and (4) To compare the traditional religious beliefs and the formal church school curriculum with the beliefs and practices of Maroon children of Jamaica.;Major Findings. Analysis of data enabled the researcher to draw the following conclusions: (1) Children in Accompong learn about the Christian religion as they study materials located in church school curriculum as well as the Religious Education Syllabus of the primary school. Their beliefs about God, Jesus, the Holy Bible, the church, and prayer reflect the beliefs noted in these curricula.;The children perceive that the Holy Bible is a book in which one should believe. They describe the church as a place where one worships God, and that if one prays to God one will be blessed by God with good things happening to him/her. (2) Although the children express a belief in God and Jesus in their responses to questions there appears to be some confusion in their verbal differentiation between God and Jesus. (3) The traditional African belief in Obeah appear to have persisted in Maroon culture until the present time. While most adults in Accompong stated that Maroons no longer believe in Obeah younger children appear to have some knowledge of Obeah. Young children believe that Obeah is magic. (4) Throughout this study some practices related to possible African retentions in Maroon culture have been reported. Retentions which emerged include: use of drums and chanting in various celebrations and the telling of Anansi stories to children. (5) Procomania, which has its roots in African ancestor cult religion is also expressed in Accompong. The Procomania church service is conducted on Sundays and includes drum beating, dancing, people singing and clapping hands to the music of the drums. This church sponsors a march throughout the community on New Year's Day and the day after. Children participate in this march. (6) The children participate in Christmas and Easter celebrations. They exchange Christmas gifts and participate in various activities on Good Friday to celebrate Easter.