Discovering the Maroon House -Building Traditions of Grenada

Communal labour is an example of collection action taken by members of a community or village in Grenada. Communal labour was used to construct or repair houses. The concept is based on social interdependence.

In Grenada, a maroon is an example of communal labour.

Photo: Ministry of Carriacou and Petit Martinique Affairs

What is a Maroon?

Members of a community or village working hand-in-hand to construct or repair a house. The maroon begins early in the morning and continues until the house repair or construction is completed. This can run for days; not necessarily consecutively but occurring over a period of time.

The owner of the house has to organize the food and drinks for those who have volunteered their time and labour in exchange for food. The meal begins with breakfast including bread, saltfish souse and cocoa tea. Lunch is usually Oil down or peas soup. There is the sharing of alcoholic beverages including rum. Women are highly involved in the food preparation.

Social Benefit

Maroonage allowed for persons within the Community to be able to establish a house or home. Therefore, it contributed significantly to the growth and development of rural communities in Grenada. Maroonage was beneficial in terms of making house construction affordable for working class persons.

Maroon has also been used in the reconstruction of homes due to the passages of hurricanes - Ivan in 2004 and Beryl in 2025. It is a cost saving mechanism in which community members help others to rebuild their homes at minimum cost.

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