Charles Town Museum and Asafu Yard

3 months ago

Went to the Charles Town festival and enjoyed ourselves. Not as many stall options as previous years but enjoyed the discussions, entertainment, river and wild hog. :D We opted to camp. Not really a camper but facilities for camping (bathrooms/ showers) were provided and we're clean. A special place.

7 months ago

History, Drumming and Dance at Charles Town Maroon Village We visited Charles Town earlier in our trip, and it set the tone beautifully for everything that followed. The visit takes you through the history of the Maroons in a way that feels considered and well-presented. There's real depth here, and it's clear that the community takes great care in how their story is told and preserved. The archive and artefacts give you a tangible sense of just how much was carried forward across generations, culture, knowledge and identity maintained against extraordinary odds. What brought it all to life was the drumming and dance. Watching performers who are themselves descendants of the Maroons was something else entirely. The rhythms have roots going back to West Africa, preserved and passed down through centuries, and you feel that weight when you hear them. It's not a performance put on for tourists, it's a living tradition, and that comes across clearly. Before leaving, we spent some time in the gift shop, which stocks items made by people within the Maroon village itself. It's a thoughtful collection and a good way to take something meaningful home whilst directly supporting the community. Well worth a browse. Charles Town sits in a quieter, more rural part of Jamaica and the setting adds to the experience. It feels like somewhere you've had to make the effort to find, which makes it all the more rewarding when you get there. Having visited Charles Town first, we then went on to Nanny Falls later in the trip, and the two experiences worked really well together, each one adding another layer to our understanding of Maroon history and culture. If you're looking to go beyond the standard resort trips, we'd recommend doing both.

8 months ago

A fascinating glimpse into Maroon culture. We arrived unannounced and the guide open the museum and arrange for a dance demonstration just for us.

9 months ago

Enjoyed my visit, unplanned but worth every penny spent. Massive thank you to the guide, the dancers and everyone who made my tour a memorable visit.

a year ago

I visited Charles Town when they had their annual Maroon Celebration in June. The experience was very intriguing and entertaining. There was a lot going on on the day, a whole lot of singing, drumming, and dancing. I did get to go into their museum. It had some decent material in it, such as old artifacts and some other info on Maroon history. It's definitely worth checking out if you're ever in Charles Town. Im lookin forward to going there again when they have their next Maroon celebration.