By Zena Henry

“A MAN without knowledge of his culture is like a tree with no root. He is almost baseless and has no gauge on where he has come from, and to a great degree, this makes it difficult for him to ascertain where it is he is going.” These are words of Administrator of Museum of African Heritage, Jenny Daly, who said that she is keen on teaching young Afro-Guyanese about the great legacy of their ancestors.

During an interview with the Pepperpot Magazine, Daly said that much more has to be done about educating the young people of African descent about their history; that is, prior to the enslavement of African people and their involuntary removal from the continent and the grave events that later followed to ensure liberation and equal rights.

Daly is adamant that for a young person of African descent to truly find their place in society, they must have some idea about their past. She believes that this aspect of knowledge is severely lacking in Guyana.

As part of its mandate, the Museum of African Heritage is tasked with keeping the rich cultural history of Africans alive. Located in Barima Avenue, Bel Air Park, the museum continues to be a base location from which persons of African descent can get information relating to the land of their ancestors and culture.

The museum is filled with cultural pieces; sculptures, souvenirs and other exhibits, and provides a wealth of informative materials. Acknowledging the recently celebrated African Emancipation Day celebration just over a week ago, Daly told the Guyana Chronicle that the museum continues to find ways to use its assets to impart the history of Africans on its younger generation.

As a regular feature, the museum hosted another summer programme which concluded Friday. The programme which was held from August 7 to 11 saw young children taking part in special events that increase African consciousness. These included Afro-centric arts and craft among others.

Daly said that persons should be encouraged to visit the museum at this time especially as Guyana is part of the Caribbean’s region-wide claim for reparation from European territories. Caribbean nations like Guyana are in the process or have completed the compilation of historical data as evidence of the atrocities committed during slavery in their respective countries. The information will be used should the Caribbean colonies take their former slave masters to the World Court.

Daly pointed out that the Guyana Reparations Committee, which is chaired by Eric Phillips is housed at the museum and is regularly providing information to the museum and the public based on their findings. The Guyana body has so far unearthed loads of information, some which even contradicts what Guyanese have been told about some events that occurred in the country. It includes slave labour, construction, death tolls and even the presence of Africans living in Guyana prior to the enslavement period.

Daly agreed however that the topic of racism/white supremacy is one that must be spoken of more often.  She agreed further that one of the criteria for slavery was having dark skin. And from that, “all manner of things were done to us.”
The legacy of racism/ white supremacy which is still evident today involves the hate and denial of rights for people given how dark their complexion is. Following slavery, in places like the United States of America, people of colour had little to no rights which sparked several movements like the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NACCP), the Black Panther movement and those by individuals like Martin Luther King and Malcolm X.

Daly pointed out that the legacy of racism has caused dark skin to be akin to being cursed in many countries around the world. She said there are many unjust negative portrayals of black people in the media, and that poor information is having a devastating impact on young black children in many cases as they do not see themselves as worthy.

“I try to tell them of the power they have,” Daly said. “I tell them we are powerful people that we have a great history and it is only us that can make it better.” The Administrator said she is aware that young people need more information on their history and an earnest effort must be made to help provide them with it.

She suggested that the confidence of the young needs boosting and that cannot be done if they have a negative image of themselves. She agreed that young people must become interested in knowing themselves and their history and believes that the research of scholars like Guyana’s very own historian, author and Professor, Dr. Ivan Van Sertima, is a good start in re-educating African descendants who continue to feel the effects of slavery; abolished less than 200 years ago.