Celebrating freedom

This year’s Emancipation Day theme, “Reclaiming our Rights through Unified Purpose”, should make us all pause to reflect how far we have come in gaining freedom from slavery.
According to the African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA) this theme was chosen to complement the theme, “People of African Descent: Recognition, Justice, Development”, which was used for the United Nations ‘International Year for People of African Descent’.

This year’s Emancipation 2012 theme should help us to reflect on the fact that Guyana is a country forged out of a mixture of many races, cultures, religions and ideas. ACDA’s belief is that for our country to flourish, we need the talents of all our people. The association said we have already lost most of our skilled people to foreign lands and this must be reversed before it is too late. It is ACDA’s hope that all segments of Guyanese society participate in the country’s development.

Celebrating Uganda
Uganda, also known as “The Pearl of Africa” is the African country being celebrated this year by ACDA because Uganda will celebrate its 50th independence anniversary this year. It was Winston Churchill who said: “Uganda is from end to end a ‘beautiful garden’. Does it not sound like a paradise on earth? It is the pearl of Africa.”
In celebrating Uganda, ACDA will have a large exhibition booth with photographs, artefacts and historical information at the Emancipation event at the National Park on August 1.
Uganda has an abundance of rich, green and pristine natural resources that provide a great array of eco-tourism activities to enjoy. It has a population of 30 million citizens.
Uganda is a landlocked country in East Africa bordered by six other African nations. Its official languages are English and Swahili, although there are about 40 languages spoken in the country.
The President of Uganda is currently Yoweri Museveni, who constitutionally, is both Head of State and Head of Government. The president appoints a vice president, currently Edward Ssekandi, and a Prime Minister, currently Amama Mbabazi, who aids him in governing.
The Buganda Monarchy presents one of the best documentations of kingship in Uganda. The current king of Buganda, His Highness Ronald Mutebi II was crowned the 36th Kabaka of Buganda in 1993 after his father Sir Edward Mutesa II died in exile.
The kingdom also constitutes a Parliament, comprising mainly of elderly heads of its 52 clans. Other people who occupy important positions in the kingdom, include the queen, the prime minister, the royal sister and the queen mother.

Honouring Philip Moore
ACDA would also celebrate the life of Guyanese icon Philip Moore at the National Park. According to the association, a life-size portrait is being produced, and the special on Philip Moore from the Guyanese Cultural Center of New York would be on display.
This year’s Emancipation Day celebrations, stated ACDA, would have many of its usual dimensions even though there will be creative modifications to incorporate the significance of this year’s theme. Seven days before Emancipation Day, the IFA House of Santeria would host its nightly events of drumming, dancing, singing, storytelling and spirituality in front of Demico House. Each night will have a special theme.
On July 31, a ‘Candle Light Parade’ would be led by Bishop Irving through the streets of Georgetown and would culminate at the Square of the Revolution with a ceremony; an event that has now become a nationwide phenomenon. At the Square of the Revolution, visiting overseas groups would be present, and a libation ceremony would be held under the 1763 Monument. Additionally, at the ceremony Philip Moore would be remembered as the “sculptor extraordinaire”.
On August 1, Emancipation Day, the festival starts with the traditional ‘Sunrise Morning Programme’ held by faith groups across Guyana. The National Park will open at 11:00 hours and the main cultural extravaganza will begin at 15:00 hours.
Several events are planned for children and young adults at the National Park. There would be a children’s parade and a children’s village for storytelling, face painting and cultural games. With the sponsorship of Digicel, the Ascot Dance Company of Jamaica would be putting on a special performance at the National Park.
Outside the National Park, ACDA will host several key events such as the annual ‘Freedom Race’. A full slate of sports activities from Georgetown to Mahaicony, are being managed by Brother Barnwell with a domino tournament at the National Park on Emancipation Day.
ACDA will also be involved in several activities on July 31 such as the ‘African Wear Competition’ held by Courts and the Bank of Guyana. Groups from several countries and organizations are planning to attend, and there will be much more variety in the cultural programme this year.
Again, this year, anyone who enters the National Park with a ticket will be eligible to win prizes. ACDA hopes to see Guyanese of all races at the National Park on Emancipation Day.