| Under the theme “reclaiming our rights through unified purpose,” the African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA) yesterday launched its 16th annual Emancipation festive celebrations at its headquarters.With necessary traditions observed, the launching provided information about the activities slated to be executed over the period July 18-August 12.Bishop Andrew Irving as he rendered ancestral blessingsAn official of the association, Eric Phillips, said that the choice of the theme stemmed from considerations. Last year was proclaimed by the United Nations to be year for people of African Descent. The theme was “People of African descent: Recognition, Justice and Development.”Nine activities are slated to be executed before August 1. The general yearly event in the National Park on Emancipation Day and two final events to follow.Violet Jean-Baptiste disclosed that at the National Park, there will be performances by several groups both local and international, children fun center, Folk games, sporting activities, information booths, traditional dances, acrobatic displays and much more.The Association features an African Guyanese Village every year in acknowledgement of the “greatest” post Emancipation entrepreneurial achievement. Guyana is the only country that has the movement.Over the years, Buxton and other like villages were featured; however, this year, the attention is turned to Hopetown. Similarly, ACDA yearly acknowledges an African country from which slaves were captured.According to Violet Jean-Baptiste, many Guyanese of African descent are not aware of their ancestral origins. Therefore, the organization sees it fit to feature one of these countries each year. The country selected for this year is Uganda–a landlocked country located in East Africa.Further, Jean-Baptiste said that Afro Guyanese who have some amount of knowledge of their history are only knowledgeable of slavery and the path thereafter. “What were we doing before then? “…This we need to let our young people know because at one time Africans ruled the world.”She admitted that slavery represented a dark period in African development but claimed that there is much more to be made aware of.She said that if Africans are made aware of their history prior to slavery “we could again become all that we were back then.”Jean-Baptiste said that some may ask why celebrate Emancipation; “Emancipation made it impossible for any other group coming to Guyana thereafter to be enslaved.”She proudly reminded that “we now have a right to have a right.”Jean-Baptiste encouraged all to be a part of the celebration as “this is not only for African people.” |
