Trinidad and Tobago is all set to celebrate African Emancipation Day today (August 1, 2024). This is to make the nation’s roads vibrant under the theme ‘One People, One Nation, A Drum Ride to Freedom’.
Tobago’s Division of Tourism, Culture, Antiquities and Transport has proclaimed this holiday as one of the most powerful expressions of cultural heritage and community spirit.
The street parade is expected to start at 9am from the Crown Point Colosseum and will make its way through the streets before arriving at Store Bay Heritage Park.
Notably, various activities are taking place in the country for a month as part of the Tobago Heritage Festival and the Emancipation Day Parade will be its closing event. It is known that this year during the parade there will be a special drumming.
Jessie Taylor – Cultural Officer e Trinidad and Tobago Tourism Division pointed out that the main focus on the drum is due to several reasons. One of which is, the drum has always been a powerful icon in African traditions and, in the era of slavery, plantations.
He emphasized that the instrument was not just an instrument, but was the voice of the people. He also highlighted the collaboration of the Tourism Division with the Tobago Drummers Association, which will follow a special ‘drum blast’ at the Emancipation Day Parade.
He further encouraged residents to actively participate in the occasion as Emancipation Day is a special time for reflection that represents the journey to freedom.
“There is no better opportunity to celebrate our freedom than on Freedom Day, Emancipation Day,” noted Officer Taylor.
In celebration of Emancipation Day, members of the Agricultural Development Bank of Trinidad and Tobago were seen displaying vibrant African attire, embracing the culture’s beauty, freedom and resilience.
“On the eve of African Emancipation Day, we are dressed to impress in our traditional African attire,” said the Agricultural Development Bank.
Emancipation Day
In the Caribbean, Emancipation Day is celebrated on August 1, commemorating the anniversary of the Abolition of Slavery Act 1833. With this, enslaved Africans throughout the British Empire were freed from slavery.
In Trinidad and Tobago, it is the main national festival whose celebrations include processions, church services, parades, country colors filled with drums and dancing.
The country annually marks the national holiday on August 1, considered a time of national recognition for the realization of the descendants of former enslaved Africans.
Also, the holiday reflects the achievements and importance of Emancipation in the daily lives of Trinbagonians.
