After two years of virtual celebrations, the African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA) will be hosting its annual Emancipation Festival at the National Park in Georgetown on Monday, August 1st, 2022.
In a statement, ACDA said the theme for Emancipation 2022 is “Celebrating the enduring African spirit through cultural expression,” with the sub-theme being “Realizing the Guyanese dream through community economic empowerment.”
In keeping with tradition, ACDA is honouring the African Guyanese village of Zambia, in Region Six, this year. The statement noted that while many of the villages honoured by ACDA with the spotlight of the Emancipation celebrations have a common history of purchase by freed slaves, Zambia is a unique settlement established in 1964.
In addition, the statement noted that ACDA also traditionally honours an African country at every Emancipation festival by building an educational booth for that country. The focus will be the country Zambia, which it said has a very rich African influence, history and culture.
The statement explained that ACDA celebrates an African country annually because most Guyanese of African descent cannot trace their ancestral roots to a particular African nation. Further, in choosing a particular African country to highlight every year, ACDA seeks to educate young and old about African countries and to remind them that Africa has 54 countries and is not a single country like China or India or the United States.
The festival will feature special performances, including by Jamaican reggae and dancehall artist Capleton, African exhibits, food and folk games, among other things.
EMANCIPATION FESTIVAL 2022 LIST OF ACTIVITIES
International & Regional Guests & Performers
¢ African Royal Delegation
¢ Capleton & Band
¢ Haitian Cultural Group
¢ Nigerian Delegation
Local Performers
¢ Fame Band Int’l
¢ Big Red, Carlene Gill-Kerr, Charmaine
Blackman, CKush, Diana Chapman, Dynamic
Force, Gad I King, Jackie Jaxx, Kaiya, Mario
Kein, Zion Kid and much more
¢ ACDA Youth Performers (Drummers &
Dancers), Divine Stars, Joro Dance School, Kast
Dance Co., B3 Dancers, Kreative Arts
Educational Booths
¢ African Cultural & Development Association
Story and History – 29 Years
¢ African Royal Tent
¢ Booths: African Guyanese Village Movement,
Hairstyles, History, Music, Names, Inventions etc.
Children Parade and Fun Centre Activities (10:00
am – 4:30pm)
“Hello Africa” Children’s Parade
¢ Most Creative Costume
¢ Best Group Display
Children Centre: Folk Games, Face Painting,
Storytelling, Colouring, Bouncy Castles
Fashion Competitions
¢ Best African Dressed: Male, Female, Child &
Family
Music, Dance & Poetry
¢ Group Dance & Drumming Competition
¢ Young and Gifted Performer (Female & Male)
Food
¢ “Wah Deh in Yuh Pot” Food Competition, Food
Vendors Competition
Sporting Activities
¢ Freedom/Reparations race
¢ 8 over softball cricket competition for area teams female & male
¢ 8 over tape ball cricket competition for area teams male.
¢ 5 a-side and penalty shootout small goal football
for area teams and under 13 yrs teams
¢ 5 a-side small goal football match for female.
¢ 60 meters children’s race boys & girls.
ACDA said the aim of the events is to see the youth in action demonstrating their skills in the spirit of Emancipation season. The teams taking part are from Georgetown, East Bank, Linden, East Coast and West Coast Berbice.
The festival will run from 10:00 hrs until 20:00 hrs. The cost of admission is $1,000 for adults before 17:00 hrs and $2,000 after 17:00 hrs, and $500 for children under 12 years.
A post-Emancipation award ceremony and reception is scheduled for ACDA’s AKWAABA Centre on August 5, 2022.
