Tributes, tears and rain pour for Colonel Marcia Douglas

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15 to Sunday, November 17, the Asafu Yard in the Maroon village of Charles Town in Portland teemed with mourners, well-wishers, bereaved family members, relatives, friends and associates of Colonel Marcia ‘Kim’ Douglas, who passed suddenly on Wednesday, October 16.

Some of these had travelled from overseas for the sad-but-celebratory occasion that consisted of a memorial day, a wake, a funeral service, and a burial.

For the three days, the tributes, many by way of email and live-streaming feedback, that came in from near and far, from people of diverse social and professional backgrounds and from different stations in life, dominated the activities, floated throughout the space, not far from where the late colonel was born, raised, and had lived.

Many things were said, in different tones and levels of emotions, but the common thread throughout was the impact that Colonel Douglas had on the development of the Charles Town Maroon village, and the spreading, sharing and preservation of Maroon culture, history and heritage.

Her collaborations with government and non-governmental agencies were also mentioned, and, during the funeral service, Desmond Saunders Jr, community tourism manager at the Tourism Product Development Company Ltd, read a framed citation to Colonel Douglas on behalf of his employers. It was accepted by Michael Lumsden, chairman of the Charles Town Maroon Council.

The citation reads in part: “The Tourism Product Development Company Limited recognises and honours the extraordinary life and legacy of Colonel Marcia Kim Douglas … Colonel Douglas represents the strength, resilience and history of the Charles Town Maroon in Portland with her unwavering dedication.

“Colonel Douglas personified the very essence of the Maroon spirit, ‘a spirit that cannot be broken’. For decades, Colonel Douglas devoted her life to the preservation and celebration of Maroon culture, history and values. Through her pioneering leadership since 2015 she played an instrumental role in fostering a deeper appreciation of Maroon heritage, both within Jamaica and across the world.”

The fact that the Charles Town Maroon community received the RJRGLEANER Honour Award for Arts and Culture in 2023 was also not forgotten. At the time of the revelation of the award, the communications group said, “The Charles Town Maroons are being awarded for their ‘dedication to Jamaican cultural preservation through its museum, library, annual celebrations, and the Charles Town International Maroon Conference’.

In speaking with The Gleaner after the announcement, the woman who had been colonel since 2015 said, “I am very happy that we are able to use our music to entertain and that the cultural aspect of our daily lives has its own knowledge, the songs [have] their own meaning and spiritual component to it. [We] will keep sharing our music and use it for entertainment.”

Douglas was a community activist long before she was elevated to the status of colonel, and taught at the early childhood level for about 10 years. The trained electrical installer was also a fruit-wine maker, cook, herbalist, artisan/fashion jeweller, costume-maker, hairstylist, dancer, chanter, drummer, storyteller, among other things, which contributed to the strong leadership that she was known for.

Some other people of note who spoke at the funeral were Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Olivia Grange; Minister of Science,Energy, Telecommunications and Transport and Member of Parliament for West Portland Daryl Vaz; Colonel Wallace Sterling, of the Moore Town Maroons; Colonel Lloyd Lattibeaudiere of the Scotts Hall Maroons; Charles Town Maroon Council Attorney Marcus Goffe; Jamaica Taino chief, KasikeNibonrix Kaiman; Chieftainess Ronalda Pearman; and Gaama Gloria ‘Mama G’ Simms. The eulogy was read by one of Colonel Douglas’ sisters, Elaine Harper.

Some of the activities over the three days were festive and entertaining despite the poignancy of the moment, exuding the spirit of Marcia Douglas, an entertainer herself,who would be regally attired at formal occasions. Of course, there was much singing, dancing, and a variety of drumming (African, Maroon, Nyabinghi, Revival). The wake, which started on Saturday night, ended at daybreak on Sunday with a Kumina drumming session that had started hours before.

Roy Rayon’s rendition of his sublime and reflective song during the funeral added to the entertainment value. But, it was the tears that flowed over the casket with Colonel Douglas just as it had arrived in the Asafu Yard and while it was waiting to be pushed into the tomb that were the heartbreakers. Even some men could not control the flow. Others stood and bit their lips, silently hurting.

It had been raining on funeral day, with bursts of sunlight, which Minister Vaz referred to as “blessings”. But, as the last bit of daylight that shone on Marcia Douglas’ face faded, the drizzle continued as if to say the people of Charles Town were doubly blessed to have Marcia Marline Douglas living among them for 48 years.