Emancipation celebrations alive and well
IN Guyana, Emancipation Day, celebrated on August 1, commemorates the end of slavery. It marks the day in 1838 when all enslaved people in Guyana were finally granted their freedom, following a period of apprenticeship after the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833.
This day is a significant national holiday, celebrated with vibrant festivals, traditional attire, and cultural performances, honouring the resilience and contributions of African Guyanese.

Evelyn Estwick, a Buxtonian, is no stranger to cooking up a storm for Emancipation activities in the village. That day, she shared pots of cook-up rice with beef, pork, and chicken, conkee, cassava pone and homemade mauby with fellow villagers.
The elderly woman says the task is no easy feat—to prepare such large quantities of food all by herself—but she has already set the mauby in a large plastic barrel and added the ingredients for it to ferment (draw) to bring out the ideal flavour of an authentic homemade mauby.
Estwick, who resides on Ogle Street, Buxton, East Coast Demerara, told Pepperpot Magazine that every year on Emancipation Day, she gives it her all to serve up a proper mix of creole dishes from her menu.

She explained that it is a tradition she adopted from her mother, who has long since passed away, and is fulfilling that tradition that has been passed down to her.
Estwick, a determined believer in giving back to society, says she isn’t as young as she used to be, but she will be facing the pot alone, and welcomes any help in the kitchen.
She stated that for more than 30 years, she has been making her signature cook-up rice to feed others, especially on Emancipation Day, which she considers her Christmas.
The prepared meals are packaged and distributed in the village by the Market Square—even the shut-ins and bedridden residents receive their meals.
A local, Gavin Dick, would drive to the homes of his fellow Buxtonians to personally deliver the meals.

Estwick added that his contribution is noteworthy, and she commends the young man for his assistance each year.
She stated that she would prepare black eye and red beans with callaloo and chicken cook-up rice, as well as a special beef and pork cook-up rice.
Estwick calls Emancipation Day her “Fest Day,” the time she contributes to the community, since it is a tradition in the village. Many people do not cook because they are aware of “Fest Day” and feel obligated to carry on the tradition.
“I come and meet this tradition, used to watch my mother cook and prepare meals on this day, and when I grew and could assist, I did it too, so this tradition must go on and I am cooking three big pots this year,” she said during an interview with the Pepperpot Magazine days before the big day.
The Buxtonian reported that she did all the cooking out of her own pocket, but anyone who wants to lend a hand is welcome to do so. It usually costs her about $200,000 to fully prepare the three large pots of cook-up rice, conkee, cassava pone, and mauby.
Estwick pointed out that it is a once-a-year event, and that’s it—she would continue to play her part until she can because she knows the people look forward to it. The tradition must stay alive.

She added that the Market Square in Buxton would come alive on Emancipation Day—some people show up with their own bowls, and often food would be delivered to others at their homes.
Estwick related that she is a member of the Buxton Emancipation Committee, along with 20 other members, including two elderly women from the village who were unwell due to travel abroad.
The 64-year-old does a lot of volunteer work behind the scenes, but often it goes unnoticed. She does way too much by herself but vowed to succeed her late mother, Enid Edwards, who was a very benevolent woman of Buxton.
Estwick revealed that her mother passed away at age 49, a very hard worker whose dedication was exemplary.