Pilgrimage to Watt Town

Inscribed in 2024 (19.COM) on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity

The Revival Pilgrimage to the community of Watt Town in Jamaica occurs every year on the first Thursday in March. Watt Town is considered a sacred site, which was once a refuge for enslaved Africans. Groups, called bands, journey from across Jamaica to the sacred site. The bands engage in ritual songs and dances, wearing clothing with vibrant colours and rich iconography. In the early morning, they travel by bus and car to the steep hill that houses the Jerusalem Schoolroom (a space used to communicate with spirits), where they use the messaging in emblems, called seals, to carry out certain tasks or functions. Moving counterclockwise around the seals, they carry gifts in the form of fruits, flowers, medicinal plants and food to honour their ancestors. In return, they receive blessings that fulfil their spiritual needs. The knowledge and skills related to the pilgrimage are transmitted through community-based events, including band meetings, Thanksgiving tables, healing rituals, wakes and civic ceremonies. Students, teachers and researchers also observe the activities. Practised primarily by Jamaicans of African descent, the pilgrimage is a journey for people in search of their ancestral identity. The specific colours, musical instruments, plants, food, dress and local songs featured contribute to the preservation of Jamaican cultural memory.