Miss Berbice African Crown contestants sashed
THE Revival Awareness and Perpetuation of African Celebration [RAPAC], commemorated Emancipation Day celebration in New Amsterdam, Berbice with reflections on African history, through poetic pieces, songs, stories and drama. The event held at the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) Hall, at Vryman’s Erven last Sunday also saw the sashing of six of the seven beauties vying for the Miss Berbice African Crown, scheduled for Saturday at the New Amsterdam Technical institute lawns.
The lasses, namely Teena Austin , 17, Allana Nelson, 23, Alicia Henry, 22, Terrianna Selby 22, Tiffany De Cunha 17, and Secota Douglas 19 represent areas within Berbice including  Sandvoort, Central New Amsterdam, East Canje, Alness Village , Stanletytown, Angoy’s Avenue and Fort Ordinance.
Coordinator for the event, Ms Minerva Pieters, who had designed the winning gown for 2003 Guyana African Heritage Winner Ginesta David, said the participants will be adjudged from several categories including casual, intelligence, talent and evening wear.
‘Meanwhile, at the celebrations on Sunday, guest speaker, Dr John Austin, in a brief and hurried address urged the gathering not to believe that Africans differ from  the other ethnic groups .
He reminded the mainly African descendants that they can be achievers despite their ethnicity, while adding, that not all Africans were enslaved, as Ethiopians were not.
The affair which saw many of the attendees adorning themselves in African wraps, had also many mini competitions including, the best outfit- male and female’, best dressed family, best  head wraps and hairstyle.
During the afternoon sessions, attendees were served with locally made beverages, e.g. Mauby, along with Metamagee, [provision cooked in coconut milk], cook up rice, with either chicken or salt fish. Conkie [a corn based delicacy, wrapped in banana leaves.