–Prime Minister tells National Park gathering

By Clestine Juan

THE National Park was on Monday transformed into a carnival of African styles and chic casual wear as hundreds of Guyanese thronged the location for the 178th anniversary celebrations of the abolition of slavery.Every race, colour, class and creed was represented as folks joined in the Emancipation celebrations hosted by the African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA).

Among those on stage was Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, who deemed the gathering an “assertion of African pride”, and called on Guyanese to celebrate the day with pride and respect for the struggle that made everyone “free people in a free country”.

The Prime Minister, in quoting Bob Marley, said: “Emancipate yourself from mental slavery!” as he urged those present to press forward in building a cohesive and unified nation, since Guyana is a diverse country.

Also gracing the event were Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes; former Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, and several members of Parliament.

The sounds of drums pounding out African rhythms under expert handling of the Buxton Drummers added to the atmosphere of liberty and joy displayed by Guyanese and a number of foreigners who joined in the historic celebrations. There were also cultural performances from many talented Guyanese, including the X-Factor Dance Group, National School of Dance, Mystique Dance Group, the Guyana Soiree Band, the Hebrew Family dancers and drummers, the Beterverwagting Majorettes, and many others.

Teenage pregnancy prevention was placed high on the agenda for this year’s celebration, and a Nigerian cultural group performed a short stage play on this social ill.

Various groups from around Guyana were dressed in flamboyant African wear, and others, who were stylishly casual for the occasion, were all focused on the cultural show despite the morning rain and the weather remaining partly cloudy for the rest of the day.
Several booths exhibited African culture, while others had displays of clothing, jewellery and ornaments. Food bars were also prevalent, with many selling traditional African foods such as conkie, black pudding, foo-foo and cook-up rice.