This is probably Jamaica’s most recognizable waterway for two reasons: (1) because of its location (near Montego Bay) it is a featured tourist attraction and popular for its 30 foot bamboo rafts which are polled by guides who also are talented carvers; (2) because of an ancient legend which deals with gold and witchcraft. As the story goes, an old Arawak Indian witch was believed to know the whereabouts of a large stash of gold. Back in the time of the Spanish, treasure hunters captured the witch in order to lead them to the metal. Pretending to comply, she led them into a cave and then suddenly disappeared. Frightened, the Spaniards rushed out of the cave only to find that the witch had diverted the river to where the treasure seekers were. The Spaniards subsequently drowned. The current name of the river is a twisted English translation of the original Spanish word Matibereon.
Bainbridge College students having fun on the Martha Brae River.