Guyana’s motto, “One People, One Nation, One Destiny”, was aptly manifested when thousands of Guyanese from various ethnicities donned dashikis and kaftans to join in the African Cultural Development Association’s (ACDA’s) annual Emancipation Day celebrations at the National Park.
Emancipation Day signifies the official abolition of slavery on August 1, 1838, a day which signalled the beginning of a new era for the previously enslaved Africans. They started receiving payment for their labour, were able to pool their resources to purchase plantations, and were able to convert them into villages.
For over two decades, ACDA has been putting on the annual celebration in the National Park, highlighting the struggles of the enslaved Africans as well as giving patrons the opportunity to indulge in traditional African cuisine.
