THE National Park was on Tuesday abuzz with festivities as Guyanese celebrated the 179th Anniversary of the abolition of slavery.
There was a mixture of every race as patrons joined in the Emancipation celebrations hosted by the African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA).

The theme for this year’s celebration is ‘Moving Forward, Building Guyana through Ujamaa (a political-economic model of development). Also gracing the event were Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, Minister of Labour Keith Scott, 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 during the day from many talented Guyanese, including the Vergenoegen Dance Group, ACDA’s Association of Young Africans (AYA), the Mocha Cultural Group, the Farm Dance Group, the Hebrew Family Dancers, the Glaston Twirling Dancerettes and many others.

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. This year, the ACDA aimed at showcasing the richness and diversity of African culture and its role in Guyanese society, the Caribbean and those countries to which slaves were brought.

This was achieved by traditional and modern, inspired performances and family-oriented activities, “Hello Africa” children parade and also a show with international and regional performers such as Etana, Everton Blender, Surinamese Cultural Presentation- “fire eating” etc. and a Nigerian cultural presentation.

The Guyana Chronicle caught up with Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, who expressed that for this year in addition to people celebrating the freedom of the enslaved Africans, there seems to be a “consciousness” developing. The development of this consciousness, demonstrates that there’s a fusion of cultures in the Guyanese society, where people are diverging from being racially and ethnically segregated, according to the prime minister. He explained however that the celebration of African culture and people of African ancestry are not being downplayed by society’s evolution; rather, it is the communal celebrations that add to the festivities.

The prime minister also related that on display, at this programme, was the rich variety of culture through dance, song, tradition and language. This rich variety was not a sole reflection of African culture, but was influenced by other cultures. The mixture is portraying that you could be different culturally, but yet you are blended into a national milieu… a national fabric,” he stressed and further underscored, “Our variety is our beauty, and you could [see] national cohesion and social cohesion based on this beautiful cultural mix and variety.”

Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, Keith Scott, shared similar sentiments when the Guyana Chronicle spoke to him as he toured the booths at the National Park. He noted that the day marks a very historic occasion however, according to him, “It is an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to being Guyanese. As Guyanese, while we respect each other’s culture or while we strengthen each other’s culture, we want to make sure that that culture is used productively,” Scott said too.

And finally, the Guyana Chronicle had a quick chat with overseas-based Guyanese musician, Courtney Noel, who after missing the Emancipation celebrations for many years, thoroughly enjoyed the day. For Noel, the best part was seeing children indulging in their culture and embracing their heritage. For young boys beating the drums or young girls dancing to the sounds of the drums, he related, “It is quite a pleasant surprise for me, to see the kids being involved in the day’s festivities.”