Thousands celebrate Emancipation Day

by Wendella Davidson and Shirley Thomas
Guyana Chronicle
August 2, 2000


THE National Park was yesterday transformed into a hive of activity as thousands of persons attired in African costumes of various styles came together to celebrate the 162nd anniversary of the Emancipation of African slaves.

This was despite heavy overnight showers, which had reduced the rugby and other fields to small pools, thus robbing patrons of enjoying the much anticipated old time games such as `litty', `salt-pass', hop scotch and other ring games.

The event which, officially got under way from about 13:30 hours, was part of a programme of observances organised by ACDA, the African, Cultural and Development Association.

It featured a number of booths displaying African art, various craft and sculpture including the works of Philip Moore, who designed the 1763 Monument; traditional food and drinks including conkie, cook-up, metai and other eatables; African drumming and dancing; an exhibition tracing the History of Slavery; and an African wear fashion show and competition.

President Bharrat Jagdeo and Leader of the Opposition Mr Desmond Hoyte were among the many officials who visited the Park yesterday.

President Jagdeo, who had earlier that morning addressed a

Day Break ceremony at Independence Park (Parade Ground) as part of the Emancipation observances, in a fine show of solidarity with the cause, spent several hours viewing the wide variety of intricately designed exhibits and works of art. He also had lively exchanges with representatives of the African Forum as he made brief stops at the many booths.

The President seemed particularly impressed with Phillip Moore's murals, and he complimented the artist for his outstanding work.

Among other things, the artist and sculptor told the President that the greatest satisfaction he could derive was to know that his work is cherished, preserved and not discarded.

Overall, President Jagdeo seemed most impressed with the variety and creativity shown in exhibits on display, referring to them as "excellent".

Present at yesterday's festivity was Miss African Heritage 1999 and still the reigning Queen, Ms Shauna Jemmott, who was on the panel of judges for the "Best African Dress" competition.

Commenting on the observances, Jemmott said that she was heartened at the participation it had attracted, noting that not only persons of African ancestry had come to celebrate, but that there were persons of all the six races of Guyana. There were also visitors from the Caribbean and North America.

In addition to the traditional African drumming, there were boom-boom boxes providing musical entertainment. Popular Trinidadian entertainer Machel Montano and members of his X-tatik band were also at the Park.

Montano and party were scheduled to bring the curtains down on the celebrations with a spectacular `Freedom Fever' performance at Thirst Park last night. But the heavy overnight rain forced a cancellation of the show.

Although visitors were late in arriving at the National Park, by 13:30 hours several booths were already set up with their items on display. There was a young woman whose booth was stocked with knitted Rastafarian tams and various beads, rings and other items in the colours of gold and green, red and black.

Ms Euphemia Mohamed, representing CNM Theatre of Queen Street, Kitty, operated a booth with some very interesting displays made from local and recycled materials.

These included shopping bags made from the recycled `salt bags' and other materials.

An interesting item in that booth was a tee-shirt with a message which said, "Dear Suriname, I want to grow peacefully next to you, Sincerely, Young Guyanese."

Mohamed explained that she was hoping that through this message, Guyanese youth will be sensitised as to the border problems Guyana faces with neigbouring Suriname and Venezuela.

"And, with this year being designated the Year of Peace, it is all in the effort of promoting it," Mohamed said.

A group of women who had travelled all the way from Berbice to participate in the festivities, caught the attention of a small crowd as they merrily gyrated to the beat of the African drums.

Ms Eunice Anderson Seepaul of Canje, Berbice, was among them and she readily admitted that she liked dancing.

The elderly woman, who was daintily dressed in an African outfit with a matching headwrap, cut quite a figure as she demonstrated some interesting dance moves with her feet, shoulders and hands.

When the Chronicle eventually caught her attention, she proudly said the day always gives her "a feeling of pride and a sense and recognition of who she is, and who Africans are, what they should become as a people."

About her dancing, Ms Seepaul remarked, "I always got to dance, when ever I hear them Africans drums, man I can't really tell how I does feel, but it so sweet I got to do me jig."

Seepaul said the heavy rains which also fell in Berbice caused her to miss the Libation ceremony, but she expressed satisfaction with the efforts being made by ACDA to maintain the African culture.

She feels though that should they get the full cooperation, the celebrations will be something memorable for everyone.

The woman who said she takes pride in her tradition, however expressed disappointment that young Afro-Guyanese are not really making enough effort to learn about their culture.

In an invited comment, Mr Hoyte, the Leader of the Opposition described the effort by ACDA as "a good one".

Noting that the crowd was by then, shortly after midday, now building up, Mr Hoyte was confident that within another three hours the attendance would have significantly increased, which it did.

"Those, (the people) who are here seem to be enjoying themselves. They are full of enthusiasm, and the displays are very interesting and attractive," he added.

"I think it is a good thing that people should take pride in where they've come from, take pride in their culture, their history and the achievements of their ancestors and what has been handed down to them by way of culture.

"I am very happy to see the number of people who are decked out in African dress and who are proud to assert themselves as being people of African origin."

Artiste and businessman Lee Houston, of the popular "Queh Queh Fever, Queh Queh Time" video, said he was spending the time quietly observing "how emancipated Guyanese are". He wants to make an assessment "of where we are and what my contribution should be."

Houston, the author of "The Gathering", said he was glad that he was able to see a sense of consciousness abounding among Afro-Guyanese. Houston was particularly pleased to see that there were persons from every ethnic group attending the event. This, he felt, boded good for the objective of national unity.


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