THE Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports has distributed some $8.125M to eighty-eight organisations from across Guyana in regard to the imminent Emancipation activities.

As customary, a Libation Ceremony was conducted by Bishop Andrew, and he invited the ancestors to witness and participate in the celebration. He explained, using ‘rice’, that this can be termed as one’s past from which

one has learnt what one knows, and therefore it should be thrown over one’s shoulders. And he said that white peas signifies the future, and should be planted together so as to bring the nation together as a community.

After his explanations, a ceremonial dance was done to offer patronage to the ancestors, and depict the works done by the ancestors.

As was explained, monies collected by the various groups or organisations would be used to maintain and sustain the life of the African culture, as well as to assist in programmes and other activities.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, Mr Alfred King, related that the ministry is always happy to be associated with the Emancipation celebrations, and has over the years been supporting events and groups across Guyana.

“The ministry is mandated to record well our cultural heritage; to preserve as well as promote everything culture,” King said as he recognised the elders that were present at the ceremony. He also noted that from Golden Grove village, Donald Richards, aka Uncle Danny, is 92 years old and have been involved in such celebrations for as long as he can remember.

King explained, “In 2005, when we first started, there were three groups that conducted some outreach and community programmes; and since then, this exercise has grown. We now have some 88 groups conducting similar programmes to keep the culture alive”.

Dr Frank Anthony, Minister of Culture Youth and Sports, speaking at the ceremony held in the compound of the Ministry at Main Street, explained that it is important for Guyanese culture to be learnt and kept alive.

“It is important that we reflect on our history. When the Slavery Act was passed to abolish slavery, it didn’t happen instantly…in 1834, on the first of August, it took effect,” he said.

“We need to remember our history, so that in the future it is not repeated. We need to make the younger generation aware of the sacrifices of our ancestors so they will appreciate what they have now” Minister Anthony emphasised.

He also noted that a piece of history that people are not aware of “for children being born after the Act was in place, or anyone under the age of 6 years old, are not slaves”, the Act read, “but everyone above 6 years old was still a slave and was required to serve six years as an apprentice”

We must remember these aspects of our history,” he admonished, “and teach it to our young people”.

Minister Anthony concluded by emphasising to the groups gathered, “Right now, around the Caribbean, there is a call for reparations. There is a Caribbean Commission that has been established; in Guyana there is a committee that has been established… Those who are not a part of this committee should make it priority to get involved”, he said.
Caribbean Heads of Government gathered in St Vincent during the month of March to discuss reparations from Europe for the enduring legacy of slavery. Professor Hilary Beckles, a Barbadian historian who chairs a reparations taskforce for these governments, wants to open talks with former slave-trading nations, including the UK, France, Spain, Portugal and the Netherlands. It can also be noted that, in 1999, the African World Reparations and Repatriation Truth Commission called for “the West” to pay $777 trillion to Africa within five years.

In 2007, Guyana called for European nations to pay reparations for the slave trade. In 2011, Antigua & Barbuda called for reparations at the United Nations, saying “that segregation and violence against people of African descent had impaired their capacity for advancement as nations, communities and individuals”.

In 2012, Jamaica revived its reparations commission to consider the question of whether the country should seek an apology or reparations from Britain for its role in the slave trade.

(By Rebecca Ganesh-Ally)