IN recognition of the struggle against what is dubbed as the greatest crime against humanity which extended over 400 years of world history, patrons gathered in the National Park last evening to observe yet another Emancipation Day celebration, and the liberation of enslaved Africans living in Guyana and other Caribbean territories.
Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo joined Cabinet members, foreign dignitaries, Government administrators, foreign guests, and hundreds of Guyanese from home and the diaspora in witnessing the annual cultural show hosted by the African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA).
The Chronicle was able to capture the myriad of presentations both on stage and off as Guyanese, whether African-descended or not, and other patrons, reconnected with what they know as their cultural roots inherited from their ancestors brought from western Africa over 400 years ago.
“Today shows that it is possible that we can come through difficult times in our life, and [that] we can triumph,” the Prime Minister said in an invited comment from the Chronicle.
He said while we recall the events of the past, “we also have to be inspired by the lessons from the past which is resistance…[And] the struggle for freedom” while keeping the torch of freedom alive.
In clearer language, the Prime Minister referenced the recent claims by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro over Guyana’s Essequibo region, and ocean space off the country’s coast. “Today, Guyana faces not the challenge of slavery as it was, in its inhumane and physical form. We face today the great injustice of new conquerors trying to conquer our land, trying to conquer our identity, [and] trying to take from us our Guyaneseness.”
The PM reiterated what has been the position of President David Granger and Foreign Minister Carl Greenidge that the claims made by the Venezuelan President are “specious and false” with an aim of attempting to “annex our country and steal our identity.”
On a much lighter note, the National Park was alive with booths showcasing food, and dress of African culture, and even some cultural remnants that are not indigenous to Africa but have become part of the African-descendant’s experience living in a cultural melting pot called Guyana with six peoples and a plethora of cultural practices.
From pepperpot to curry, and even the gentleman in the corner selling Trinidadian doubles, a treat native to Trinidad and Tobago made from fried Bara with channa, tamarind sweet sauce, and a drizzle of pepper layered on top, the National Park took ‘cultural melting pot’ to a new extreme.
Back at the stage, the cultural presentations were not limited to Guyanese talent, with groups of all ages, but included Nigerian masqueraders, and an African cultural group out of the United States.
The efforts of native African performers to have Guyanese patrons sing along to the medleys were a challenge at first, but this was remedied by quick lessons from the performers in tone and enunciation of the native African tongue.
The crowd grooved smoothly to embrace this and even sang-along to the songs played during the performances. Although they could not grasp the interpretation of the lyrics, the excitement was in the participation rather than the interpretation.
The Chronicle managed to get a constructively critical reaction on the day’s proceedings from the crowd. Speaking with Nigerians Collins Chidiebere, and Francis Uzozie Chuqwueriego, both living in Guyana, they were convinced that the depiction of African culture coming from the Guyanese people is one that does not fully represent the extent of African culture.
The gentlemen’s collective comment cited Guyana having a “borrowed” African culture that has been disconnected from its roots as a result of the slavery system, and the multiculturalism of the country.
The Nigerian-born dancers offered some advice to the ACDA to connect with leaders from the ‘motherland’ to strengthen the representation of African culture in Guyana. Francis and Collins performed dances of war and peace from the Nigerian Ibo tribe at last night’s event.

By Derwayne Wills

Scenes from Emancipation Day celebrations in the National Park yesterday