“Culture is about shared patterns of identity” – ACDA chief

…as the group gears up for the 187th Emancipation anniversary

As Guyana prepares to mark 187 years since Emancipation, the African Cultural & Development Association (ACDA) is calling on all Guyanese to reflect deeply on the significance of freedom, heritage, and identity, especially as this year’s festival marks the 400th year since Africans first arrived in Guyana in 1625.
Speaking at the official launch of Emancipation 2025 at the Pegasus Hotel, ACDA Chief Eric Phillips delivered a powerful message centred on unity, ancestral pride, and cultural awareness.
The theme for this year’s commemoration is “Highlighting the connection of all peoples through African culture as we strive to build a world where all our children are loved and protected.”
With this in mind, Phillips urged the public to move beyond a narrow view of culture as mere artistic expression.

“Culture is about symbolic meaning, about common aspirations, and about the relationship between individuals and groups within that society. Culture is also about the relationships between ideas and perspectives. Culture is about self-respect and a sense of security, about how individuals are socialised and values are formed and transmitted. It is also deeply intertwined with structures of power and wealth. Let Emancipation 2025, which acknowledges the 400th anniversary of Africans in Guyana, not be overshadowed by the cacophony of electoral symbols and slogans and a carnival of hate and division. Let Emancipation 2025 be about recognising that as a nation, a house divided will always fall,” Phillips said.
The 187th Emancipation Festival on August 1, 2025, will take place as a family-orientated celebration at the National Park. It will showcase traditional dress, African cuisine, dance, music, and educational exhibits, all rooted in the message of unity and historical acknowledgement.
ACDA’s enduring mantra of Ubuntu, “I am because we are”, will remain a guiding light.
This year’s festival will also spotlight the deep roots and achievements of African civilisation, from the ancient skeleton of ‘Lucy’ in Ethiopia to the advanced civilisations of Kemet (Egypt) and Ethiopia and the enduring contributions of African intellectuals, scientists, doctors and leaders.
According to Phillips, it’s important that citizens, especially those of African descent, reconnect with ancestral roots and acknowledge it, noting that Emancipation Day is not merely symbolic but foundational to Guyana’s existence.
“Emancipation was freedom: freedom from physical harm, freedom from mental harm, and freedom from spiritual harm, but it wasn’t freedom from economic harm. Our theme this year is highlighting the connections of all people through African culture as we strive to build a world where all of our children are loved and protected.”
“We acknowledge this theme today because our children are our generational wealth, both past and future… So, we acknowledge all the children of the world because all people in this world are children of Africa; whether you are Indian, Portuguese, Amerindian, or Chinese, you came from Africa. You’re a descendant from Africa. So that’s why our theme speaks about loving all the children of the world,” he added.
This year’s festival is reportedly pegged at a $30 million bill, and ACDA is making a passionate plea to the country’s largest companies, particularly the oil giants, to support the authentic celebration of African culture in Guyana.
Despite a shortfall, Phillips noted that the festival has secured “more than [what the Government gave]” from the Gladstone family — descendants of the notorious 19th-century British slave-owning dynasty who recently issued a public apology for their ancestors’ role in slavery.