EMANCIPATION DAY – CELEBRATING THE TRANSITION OF AFRICANS FROM PROPERTY TO PERSON

By Sodesaya

Emancipation Day was enshrined in Trinidad and Tobago’s history in 1938, when then governor Sir George Fitzgerald Hill issued a hastily drawn proclamation to stem the tide of Africans who were rising up against the "apprenticeship" period that followed slavery in the region. Britain had proclaimed freedom, he said, with immediate effect.

Consequently, August 1, became a milestone in African history as the enslaved could legally turn their backs on the sugar plantations, which had been the centerpiece of the trans-Atlantic slave trade in the Caribbean. On that day, colonial powers in Trinidad and Tobago and other countries of the former British Empire ended a brutal economic system which involved the kidnaping of Africans from their homeland, the theft of their labor to build Europe’s wealth and an "apprenticeship" period to allow the plantocracy a transition period.

Given the genocidal nature of the events that preceded Emancipation Day, Trinidad and Tobago’s Emancipation Support Committee (ESC), the steering committee of the festival, strives to balance the celebratory and somber nature of the event. The program features forums, a marketplace, visual and performance arts, spiritual services, and a grand "flambeaux" parade in the city of Port-of-Spain to symbolize the burning of cane fields for harvest.

Much of the activity occurs in the Lidj Yasu Omowale Emancipation Village and showcases the history and evolution of African culture and spiritual traditions on the continent and the Diaspora. Since the event takes place in Trinidad and Tobago, the steelpan is an important part of the festivities, as it was invented there in the 20th century by Africans.

The steelpan is also used as an example of the continuity of culture from homeland to Diaspora, as the steelpan emerged from the African percussive tradition. This continuity is also reflected in other aspects of the festival as the numbers of visitors from other parts of the world have been steadily increasing. Not only has this cross-fertilization enabled Africans from the continent and multi-lingual Diaspora to culturally enrich and be enriched by the Trinidad and Tobago commemoration, but important relationships have developed among contemporary African communities.

In 2005, for example, Nigeria’s President Olusegun Obasanjo was invited to speak by the ESC. Touched by the experience, he petitioned the members of the African Union to make Emancipation Day "one of the most important celebrations to be included on the calendar of all African nations," a proposal that was unanimously endorsed by African Heads of States. Pointing to the historic nature of this event, ESC President Khafra Kambon noted that the milestone reflected "the growing unity that is taking place" in the African world."

In keeping with African tradition of ancestor reverence, participants are actively encouraged to remember and pay homage to the African ancestors – on the continent and in the Diaspora – who waged a relentless battle for freedom over centuries and survived so that their descendants could live.

The Emancipation festival 2008 takes place from July 29 to August 3. For more information on celebrating Emancipation in Trinidad & Tobago call Mauby Media Services at 718-623-8514 or visit www.panafricanfestival.org

EMANCIPATION CELEBRATIONS SCHEDULE 2008

Tuesday, July 29

GRAND OPENING OF THE LIDJ YASU OMOWALE VILLAGE Time: 7:30 p.m. Venue: Lidj Yasu Omowale Village, Jean Pierre Complex / Hasley Crawford Stadium. Local and international artists.

Wednesday, July 30

YOUTH TAKE OVER. Children’s workshops (in dance and other cultural art forms), history and storytelling; Youth Seminar Time: 10:00 a.m. Venue: Lidj Yasu Omowale Village, Jean Pierre Complex / Hasley Crawford Stadium

FORMAL OPENING OF ART EXHIBITION

More than 140 pieces of art on display by 40 known and aspiring artists from the Caribbean. Time: 5:00 p.m..

STEELBANDS IN CONCERT

Time: 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, July 31

TRANS-ATLANTIC TRADE & INVESTMENT SYMPOSIUM A gathering of business associations and support groups in the triangle, and development planners and decision makers in the public sector. Time: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Venue: Hilton Hotel

PAN AFRICAN SPECTACULAR

A celebration of artists from Africa and its Diaspora

Time: 8:00 p.m.

Friday, August 1

EMANCIPATION DAY

KAMBULE (STREET PRO-CESSION) 2008 Emancipation Day Street Procession. Time: 9:00 a.m. Venue: Starting at the Brian Lara Promenade, Port of Spain

ALL DAY CULTURAL PROGRAM

Emancipation Day, August 1, is a day of celebration and numerous activities. A feature of every emancipation day program is a guest lecture by a noted international scholar, intellectual or activist. Time: 8:00 a.m. Venue: Lidj Yasu Omowale Village, Jean Pierre Complex / Hasley Crawford Stadium

FLAMBEAU PROCESSION from the Jean Pierre Complex / Hasley Crawford Stadium to All Stars Pan Yard. The original site of the Kambule riots of the 1880s. Time: 8:00 p.m.

Saturday August 2

FOOD FAIR A sample of local cuisine and authentic African foods prepared in a variety of styles with demonstrations by visiting chefs from the African continent. Time: 11:00 a.m. Venue: Lidj Yasu Omowale Village, Jean Pierre Complex / Hasley Crawford Stadium

RHYTHMS OF THE PEOPLE An explosion of traditional and contemporary musical genres from tambu bamboo to skin drums to oil drums. Time: 2:00 p.m. Venue: Lidj Yau Omowale Village, Jean Pierre Complex / Hasley Crawford Stadium

INTERNATIONAL FORUM ON AFRICA AND ITS DIASPORA

A joint initiative of the ESC and the Constituency for Africa (CFA) and features international speakers who provide an African world view perspective on issues facing Africans globally. Time: 5:00 p.m.

LEGENDS A REGGAE CONCERT

Time: 8:00 p.m.

Sunday, August 3

DAY Workshops, entertainment, educational videos and capoeira (African Martial Arts). Time: 10:00 a.m. Venue: Lidj Yasu Omowale Village, Jean Pierre Complex / Hasley Crawford Stadium

PAN & JAZZ .A musical meeting of South Africa and the Caribbean

Time: 6:00 p.m.

Venue: Queens Hall

TRANS-ATLANTIC EXPO 2008

An international market and trade exposition

10:00 a.m. -10:00 p.m. daily