DEN Amstel, a village located on the West Coast of Demerara has a proud history, having been one of the earliest formed villages following the abolition of slavery in 1834. A visitor to the Region Three community, located about 30 minutes’ drive from the City, is warmly welcomed by villagers, eager to show their community complete with churches, schools, monuments, a community centre ground, and rice fields.
Den Amstel was a coffee plantation owned by a Dutch planter, ‘John Craig’. The name Den Amstel was derived from the planter’s two sons, ‘Denny’ and ‘Amstel’.
“Emancipation meant so much to our grandparents. I remember the Congo dance…that was a very special occasion at Emancipation time. Almost the whole village would come out to see, hear the drumming, the masquerade, feeding of senior citizens, village cultural night at the Community Centre Ground on Emancipation night itself,” Kathleen Armstrong a villager reflected while referring to Emancipation celebration when she was a little girl.
Over the years, these activities would have changed form as another villager; Aum Charles related how they will celebrate this year. Cultural presentations, drumming, dancing, poetry and singing, cycle race, cricket, football and tennis competitions ,along with Linden musicians will feature today.
When asked how the village has changed since full emancipation in 1838, Mr. Charles said there are modern buildings, electricity, telephones, Practical Industrial Centre being built recently, primary and nursery schools, one of the most modernised water systems in the country…religious places for worshipping and two housing schemes.