The African Cultural and Development Association ( ACDA) has called for the establishment of an African Land Commission to protect ancestral lands, as scores gathered late Tuesday at the Seawall Bandstand to pay tribute to those who perished during the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
ACDA Executive Eric Phillips told those gathered that such a commission is an absolute necessity in order to bring justice to Afro- Guyanese. Tuesday’s Maafa Day was observed under the theme “Stop the stealing of African lands” in the face of reports of many such cases occurring, said Phillips.
“One such example is ( a parcel of land in) Parika, where a wealthy “ businessman” continues to flout the laws of the court [ to get a family’s] legally held ancestral lands,” he highlighted.
A member of the family in question related that the businessman has coveted their prime riverfront parcel of land, and has a lease that prevents them from occupying, selling or building anything on the land, which he insists is titled in their name.
He said the family has been fighting the matter for years, without success.
“ACDA believes that all of our ancestral lands must be restored… This is a major part of our reparations’ call, for the repayment of centuries of merciless labour,” Phillips declared. “It is a human right!” The issue was also addressed by the other speakers at the two- hour long ceremony, laced with Pan African rituals.
Delivering a passionate charge on the dying African Culture, Norris Witter of the Guyana Trades Union Congress pointed out that Afro- Guyanese who do not know their history and culture should not refer to themselves as African people.
According to him, being African is more than wearing cultural clothing and eating the food.
In quoting renowned black Jamaican nationalist Marcus Garvey, Witter said, “Not because we are descendants of a suffering people that we are compelled to continue suffering…” The trade unionist then led the chant, “We are the descendants of a suffering people! We are the descendants of a people determined to suffer no longer”.
The Maafa (holocaust) refers to the world’s largest mass murders, the largest economic genocide of a race of people, and according to the UN, it is “the greatest crime against African humanity”. The traditional libation rituals led by Bishop Andrew Irving preceded the day’s activity, praying for the ancestors and all other African brothers and sisters who have died in the struggle for their people.
Dominated by African drumming and dancing, Maafa Day ended with songs at water’s edge, as many laid wreaths and other offerings into the ocean.
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