The African Cultural Development Association (ACDA) is inviting Guyanese to be a part of its Holocaust Day commemoration, which will take place at the sea walls on October 12 at 2 pm.
African Holocaust Day, referred to as Maafa in the Kiswahili language, is observed annually on October 12 and serves as an observance of the mass murder and enslavement of Africans.
Every year, persons venture to the sea walls, where they pay respects to all those of their ancestors who lost their lives during the journey through the Middle Passage.
At the launching ceremony for the activity on Wednesday, ACDA Director Eric Phillips spoke of the sacrifices made by Africans who graced Guyana’s shores and highlighted the often overlooked significance of meeting at the seawalls for commemorating such an event.
“We talk about great monuments in Guyana—we talk about Cuffy, we talk about Damon, we talk about the Martyrs, but no one talks about the greatest monument that was built by us, which is the sea wall that prevented Guyana from flooding; that created an economy in Guyana,” he said.
ACDA officials are emphasising that the observance is a cultural one, and not a religious ceremony as many believe.
They also made a plea to Guyanese of African descent to learn about and remember their history, not for the sake of holding on to the past, but to ensure that it is not repeated.
