THE African Cultural & Development Association (ACDA) is this year honouring the village of Maria Johanna, Wakenaam, Region Three, in its Emancipation celebrations.The recognition of the village is part of activities to pay tribute to the Village Movement.
Director of ACDA, Dr. Eric Phillips said one of the greatest entrepreneurial acts by freed Africans in World History was the Village Movement, which started in 1839.

Freed Africans combined their resources to buy villages, so that they did not have to return to plantation life and cheap, punitive labour.

WAKENAAM
Wakenaam is an island in the mouth of the Essequibo River. It is 17.5 square miles, and is, therefore, one of the largest islands in the river. In 1690, after the French invaded Fort Island, the Dutch plantation owners moved to, and settled on, the island of Wakenaam.
The name Wakenaam is Dutch in origin, and means “Waiting for a name”. One of these Dutch men started a plantation, and named it Maria Johanna, which is thought to be named after his twin daughters.
The British, in 1716, took control of Wakenaam and Maria Johanna. In 1803, the plantation owner was Hugenoltz. The plantation was bought by Mr. Boddart and Company in 1832, and then by Adam Ramkin in 1851. The plantation was surveyed by Henry Rainford, and 88 house lots were laid out, most of them to accommodate the workers.
The Colonial Government took control of the plantation because of bankruptcy, and later sold it to a company in April 1871, whose shareholders were predominantly former slaves. The sale price was $700.
There were many disagreements among shareholders as to what was the best way to develop the land. Ultimately, the plantation was taken over by the Partition Ordinance in 1914. In 1921, a village was created, and a tax system was introduced.
Any visitor to Maria Johana can still observe evidence of Dutch occupation, and the fact that slaves worked there. There is a unique Dutch sluice, which, after a century, still stands immaculate and spectacular. Every now and then, various types of Dutch bottles and coins are found in the ground. The island still contains old Dutch graves at various locations, and there is also a Dutch well.
Wakenaam has multiple villages, including Good Success, San Souci, Melville, Eagles Rust, New Belle Plaine, Sarah, Caledonia, Zeelandia, Meerzorg, Fredericksburg and Maria Johanna.
ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES
The main economic activities of Wakenaam are agriculture (cash crops), poultry and coconut oil.
Dr. Phillips also told the Guyana Chronicle that since most Guyanese cannot trace their roots to an African nation, every year, ACDA celebrates one of the 54 countries on the vast African continent.
This year, the group is celebrating the country Niger, in West Africa. Prior to French colonisation, Niger played a valuable role in prehistoric history, especially considering the fact it was a part of four major empires and kingdoms, namely: The Songhai Empire (600–1591); The Hausa kingdoms (mid-14th Century-1808); The Mali Empire (1230 -1600); and The Kanem-Bornu Empire (early 9th Century – 1900).
Emancipation this year is being celebrated under the theme: “Rekindling Our Past Glory through Youth Innovation”, with the sub-theme: “Building Strong Families through Entrepreneurship”.
According to Dr. Phillips, preparations for the grand celebration began in January, while construction of tents in the National Park started a few days ago.
“While that is going on, of course, we have been busy interfacing with the groups that are coming. We have a group from the United States of nine people; they do stilt walking, traditional dancing and drumming,” he said.
There will also be performances by groups from Nigeria and Suriname, and a special performance from a gentleman named Blakk Rasta from Ghana. The Ghanaian is said to have done a song for US President Barrack Obama and Guyana, and is well-known in West Africa and other parts of the African continent.
LOCAL GROUPS
Aside from the international groups, the ACDA Director said Lisa Punch and Natural Black as well as 20 other local groups will be performing.

Celebrations began yesterday under different themes: From drumming and folk songs to history and culture at the Square of the Revolution.
Tonight, Dr. Phillips said, there will be a candlelight march starting at the Square of the Revolution, going through the streets of Georgetown before returning to the Square for a cultural programme and libation ceremony at midnight.
Tomorrow, Emancipation Day itself, there will be a sunrise service at the National Park by religious and spiritual folks.
The Park will open at 10:00 hrs, and there will be children’s booths featuring story-telling and games. A meal will be provided for the children.
And at 13:00 hrs, a competition will begin among groups which want to be part of the main programme which begins at 15:00 hrs. The winners, Dr. Phillips said, will be inserted into the main programme.
ENTREPRENEURS
Behind the tarmac, there will be booths on Niger, Maria Johanna, the Village Movement, local foods and drinks, and entrepreneurs. The tent for entrepreneurs, a first, will feature young business persons in Guyana and throughout the world.
“We want persons to start looking to create jobs in their villages, for Guyana to grow. We have to be entrepreneurs; we have to trade more with other countries. We are encouraging that,” Dr. Phillips told the Guyana Chronicle.
Minister of Governance Raphael Trotman on Wednesday announced that Cabinet has approved funds for active African groups across the country to host Emancipation Day activities in their respective communities.
“This is in keeping with the Government’s commitment to the promotion of cultural activities which remind us of the contributions of all our ancestors to the nation’s development,” he said.

ACDA is also working with Culture, Youth and Sport Divisions of the Ministry of Education and about 40 groups to make Emancipation 2015 a success.
And this year, admission to the National Park is free for children up to age 12.

CAPTIONS:
1: Photo saved as: Phillips
Director of ACDA, Dr. Eric Phillips
2: Photo saved as emancipation

3: Blakk Rasta