The Maroons of Accompong have finally stepped into
the 21st century.
They now finally have a Radio station, Abeng 88.7 FM
as reported in the article “Accompong
Maroons celebrate peace treaty, launch radio station”, published Wednesday,
January 06, 2016, by Balford Henry, The
Jamaica Observer.
January 6 is a special time in Accompong Town, as it
is at that time they celebrate the anniversary of the signing of the peace
treaty with the twice-defeated British colonial army. It also marks the
birthday of Cudjoe, leader of the Leeward Maroons and brother of Nanny, leader
of the Windward Maroons.
Abeng 88.7 FM was launched Wednesday, January 6th,
2016 in Accompong at 10 am during the celebration of the 278th anniversary of
the peace treaty with colonial Britain, which ended the Maroon wars. The radio
station was funded thanks to a US$12,500 grant from UNESCO (United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) and brings the total number
of Radio station in Jamaica to 36.
Government and Opposition representatives, tourists,
and residents of Accompong came out in their numbers for the celebration as
well as the launch of this radio station.
Its name refers to the Abeng a cow's horn used to
summon their people. It was also used to signal Maroon villages in case the
British were coming.
The Abeng features prominently during the Maroon
Wars and as such, Abeng 88.7 FM is being launched to advance Maroon history,
development and indigenous cultural heritage.
Abeng
88.7 FM in Maroons of Accompong - Why DSO for Radio and Television coming
Unfortunately, DSO (Digits Switch Over) on the
horizon for Television Broadcasters and DAB (Digital Audio Broadcast) to make
more efficient use of the FM spectrum.
This is currently the case in Norway, which in May
2015 became the first country in the world to switch totally to Efficient
Digital Audio Broadcast as noted in my blog article
entitled “Norway
to Switch Off FM Radio – How Efficient Digital Audio Broadcast mandated by
@BCJamaica is coming to Jamaican Broadcasters”,
This radio station may have jumped on the bandwagon
a bit too late.
Abeng 88.7 FM may be the last FM Radio Station in
Jamaica before DSO, which the BCJ (Broadcasting commission of Jamaica) plans to
implement to transition towards digital television, which should have occurred
in 2015 as noted in my blog article
entitled “Why
RJR is considering HDTV - GCML IPO on the NYSE possible as 4G LTE means Content
Streaming and 5G Coming”.
Hopefully they can float an IPO for the new company
to attract additional funding so as to fund the transition to a fully Digital
and online format, potentially making money from the sale of White Space
frequencies as explained in my blog article
entitled “OfCom
approves White Spaces usage in Britain - Why Digital Switch Over in Jamaica is
Necessary for Unlicensed White Space Frequencies”.
Now that the RJR Communication Group and The Jamaica
Gleaner are now one company after shareholder had voted as reported in the
article “RJR
Shareholders Approve Resolutions To Facilitate Gleaner Merger”, published
Thursday January 7, 2016, The Jamaica
Gleaner, DSO for Radio and Television can move forward in earnest in late
2016!
Still, Abeng 88.7 FM is worth a listen if you like
to keep up with the Maroons of Accompong Town!
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