Several days ago, I witnessed dozens of people walk from Mahaica to Buxton on the East Coast Demerara (ECD) highway. They would eventually make their way to Parade Ground in Georgetown. Some were dressed in African cultural wear as they all marched to the sound of the drums, and they occasionally stopped at communities to offer libations.

Those people were part of the Association for the Protection and Preservation of the 1823 East Coast/Demerara Revolution Monument. And they were walking the same route some of their ancestors undertook exactly 200 years before during the 1823 Demerara Uprising. This walk was a way for the group to reflect on and connect spiritually with the thousands of people involved in the fight for freedom from the inhumane system of enslavement.

Researchers believe about 12,000 enslaved Africans from 55 plantations were involved in the uprising. They demanded their freedom but did so through non-violent means. The two-day rebellion was unsuccessful, with many killed after the colonial forces resorted to violence. In the grand scheme of the anti-enslavement movement, however, it was seen as a watershed uprising that helped herald the abolition of enslavement.

Since the walk, other events have been organised. There were reflections and academic discussions on the uprising, cultural activities, and even a solemn memorial led by President Dr. Irfaan Ali. The importance of commemorating this historical event is clearly recognised, and that’s great because it isn’t one that enough people know about.

I read about the uprising when I studied history at the secondary school level. Though I grew up in the Success, ECD community and spent some time with family in the neighbouring community of Le le Ressouvenir, the rebellion wasn’t something I knew about before then.

It was a striking realisation for me. I grew up in this community but never recognised how central Success, and the Africans who worked on the Success plantation, were to the uprising. It was there Quamina’s body was left hanging for months as a threat meant to deter any further uprising.

Even after learning about the uprising and how much the place I called home was connected to it, my interest didn’t go beyond reading about it for my academic studies. My interest returned in 2020 when a United Kingdom (UK) writer contacted me after reading some of my columns on reparations.

The writer eventually came to Guyana, aiming to write about the 1823 Uprising and how crucial it was in dismantling the inhumane system of enslavement. Travelling around with him, visiting Success and many other communities where the rebellion took shape, was a surreal experience. The magnitude of their endeavours became crystal clear to me just by appreciating the distance from Mahaica to Success and then from Success to Georgetown.

It also made me sad. Here was this very important historical event- important nationally, regionally, and internationally- yet, too many people remain unaware of what transpired and its significance.

We shouldn’t only know about such important events because we take a history class in school (though I am biased and believe everyone should take history classes). We should have immense national pride and we should be able to reflect on the struggles of those before us. I think that helps us to appreciate each other more, and it helps to keep us firmly rooted in our pursuit of a more developed Guyana.

So as we observe this bicentennial anniversary and as more events are organised, I hope that many more Guyanese will participate in the many activities organised and learn more about the fight for freedom.

If you would like to discuss this column or any of my previous writings, please feel free to contact me via email: vish14ragobeer@gmail.com