Minister Anthony urges reflection on ancestors contributions
EMANCIPATION Celebrations for 2011 were launched on Friday by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport on Main Street with much dance and song as part of the cultural extravaganza.
Minister with the portfolio, Dr Frank Anthony, was on hand to address those who gathered to join in the celebrations and he even voluntarily participated in Libation, an important aspect of African tradition that honours dead ancestors.
Dr Anthony was part and parcel of that ceremony which, was the first item on the programme. A drink offering was poured out to the dead, as the names of ancestors who made significant contributions to Guyana were uttered.
Drumming by Majik Fngers and the Encunnachet Drummers, along with dances from the National School of Dance and Nzingha/Crystalite, also formed part of the agenda. A fashion sequence was also put on.
Minister Anthony observed that Guyana is a land of diverse cultures and that not many places could claim such diversity. He urged that such occasions be used for reflecting on the country’s rich and beautiful culture.
Dr Anthony spoke of the country’s ‘collective history’ and referred to the important milestones that the country saw in 1763 and 1823, among other time periods.
He recalled the years of the ‘inhumane’ system in which slaves worked under oppressors and observed that that system would be totally unacceptable today.
He also made reference to the hard work that was executed by African slaves in times past and noted that the generation continues to make sterling contributions to Guyana.
The minister urged that the occasion not only be used to celebrate what was done by ancestors but the country’s achievements as well. He added that prosperity will automatically result once everyone is willing to work together.