High festivities at Emancipation Day celebrations 2016

It was a bit of a disappointment for those who expected a grand explosion of African culture at the annual Emancipation Day celebrations at the National Park on Monday.

The ambiance, though festive and bearing semblance to love and unity, lacked the traditional touches of African culture in several areas, including craft and cuisine.

On the other hand, the fashion display was overwhelming with almost everyone participating in the activities decked out in their finest African prints and patterns.

Just before noon, persons bubbling with excitement began trickling into the large arena where vendors were now setting up tents along the boulevard.

Barbecued chicken, hot dogs, popcorn, channa, plantain chips were just a few of the all too common foods on sale.

A few stands were selling the famous conkie, an African dish made from pumpkin, plantain, and coconut milk whilst wrapped in the trademark banana leaf.

One of the food vendors said she did not prepare a lot of traditional African meals since she was uncertain of receiving enough sales to make an appreciable profit.

Some of the many crafts on display were similar to those seen at other mega gatherings in Guyana.

Cultural Director Ras Leon Saul expressed some displeasure in the absence of vibrant expressions of the African culture at the national Emancipation Day celebrations.

“It’s nice but I guess it’s all about money making right now more than the culture but economics trump sometimes,” he told Guyana Times during a quick interview at the celebrations.

Nonetheless, it was a grand family funday at the park, with some carnival games and face painting services, as well as a cultural show inclusive of folklore singing, dancing, drumming, skits and other performances.

Junior Natural Resources Minister Simona Broomes was enjoying an afternoon stroll through the park, stopping at the various booths to interact with passersby.

Speaking with Guyana Times Minister Broomes underscored the importance of social cohesion on this auspicious day: “Let us unite. I call for social cohesion among all the races because when our foreparents fought the battle, when they went into the villages, it wasn’t pure Africans, we had East Indians, we had Amerindians and all of that. So my message would be for Guyanese to just love each other. Love is my message.”

The celebrations piqued the interest of many tourists who turned up at the National Park to share in the experience.

Ejay Reece, one of the younger visitors, was very impressed with the activities taking place: “We’re in Guyana doing a cultural understanding and learning programme. It’s basically to understand the culture and learn a little about what Guyana is all about.”

Another tourist, a young father named Chris is also in Guyana for the first time and decided to stop by to witness the Emancipation Day celebrations: “We’re having a great time. We just wanted to see the festivities they have down here. I brought my wife and my family down here and we’re having a wonderful time.”

Emancipation Day, also known as Freedom Day, was on Monday celebrated across the Caribbean in former British colonies like Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, among others.

Celebrated annually on August 1, Freedom Day marks the abolition of slavery in 1834.

The end of slavery brought about a new phase in Guyana where villages started getting established, the trade union movement struggle commenced, opening of the civil service, among others.

In Guyana, Freedom Day kicked off the arrivals of Portuguese, Chinese and East Indians to the country, who were brought as indentured labourers. (DevinaSamaroo)