GUYANESE recently observed the 185th anniversary of the emancipation of our African ancestors from the yoke of slavery. This is indeed a time for celebration. But it is also a time for reflection on the long and tortuous road we have travelled as a people, the vast majority of whom were uprooted from the country of their birth to provide labour to the planter class.|

According to historians, the history of Guyana began roughly 35,000 years ago with the arrival of persons coming from Eurasia. These migrants became the Carib and Arawak tribes who met Spanish explorers in 1499 at the Essequibo River. In the ensuing period, the colony changed hands from Spanish, French, Dutch and eventually British rule. The economy was mainly agricultural, having regard to our rich and fertile lands and abundant waterways.|

But it was the importation of slave labour into the colony that changed the dynamics of the colony both from a demographic and socio-economic standpoint. It was slave labour that generated most of the income which laid the foundation for a strong economy until slavery was eventually abolished in August 1838.

The abolition of slavery, however, did not come about because of the generosity of the planter class and the colonial masters. Several epic battles were fought by the oppressed slaves against their masters, the two most notable being the 1763 Berbice Slave Rebellion and the 1823 Demerara Uprising, the latter being the largest in terms of the number of slaves involved in the revolt.

Roughly 13, 000 slaves from Demerara and Essequibo rose up against their oppressors and even though the rebellion was crushed, that spirit of freedom from slavery remained ignited until freedom from slavery became a reality in 1838. This year incidentally marks 200 years since the 1823 Demerara Uprising which in some ways could be regarded as the main catalyst which culminated in the end of slavery.

We have come a long way from that horrible period of slavery, but the will to conquer and overcome obstacles in our path to unity and prosperity continues to burn deep in our collective soul. There are several episodes in our history when our people from all across the ethnic spectrum closed ranks in defence of their common interests and against a common adversary.

This is what makes us strong as a society. As pointed out by President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali in his 2023 Emancipation Day message, we have to continue to be vigilant against those who seek to stand in the way of unity and progress. According to President Ali, ‘there are forces inside and outside of our country who, for selfish reasons, continue to stoke division and engender fear, mistrust and suspicion.’ He encouraged Guyanese to reject these attempts and expose the agitators of disunity and fear-mongering who threaten our nation’s cohesion and progress.

The fact is that all Guyanese, regardless of their ethnicity or skin colour, share in the prosperity and bounty flowing from the country’s transformative development. They all have an equal stake in national development and in the governance of the country. This is exactly what the ‘One Guyana’ agenda is all about, ensuring that everyone is an equal participant and beneficiary of a prosperous and inclusive society.

As observed by our President, Emancipation Day was a milestone in our country’s history. ‘As we celebrate the anniversary of this historic day, let us recommit to working to create a brighter future where resilience and achievements resonate in every corner of Guyana, inspiring generations, present and future, to unite in building a nation that embodies the spirit of freedom, prosperity, and inclusivity,’ President Ali said.