Caribbean Countries Celebrate Emancipation Day

Published by BBNTEAM at August 2, 2022

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Posted: Tuesday, August 2, 2022. 9:57 am CST.

By Zoila Palma Gonzalez: On Monday, August 1, Caribbean countries celebrated Emancipation Day.

August 1^st marks that historic day in 1834 when the UK announced the end of the enslavement of African people.

Trinidad and Tobago was the first country to commemorate Emancipation Day as a national holiday, Loop reports.

And, after 2 years of event postponement due to COVID-19, the traditional parade through Port of Spain resumed.

Prime Minister, Keith Rowley of Trinidad and Tobago noted that while slavery may have been abolished over 200 years ago, the scars and trauma endured by the ancestors are still felt today.

“What we see in the down-side of the African communities today are expressions of that legacy, with feelings of detachment and estrangement, and misguided youths, alienated with little sense of a future, irritable, and quick in outbursts of anger,” he said in a statement.

“Emancipation Day is a good day. Go beyond the celebrations to reflect on the wave of violence in our communities; think of the African family, ask yourself whether we are good listeners to our children; for example, are we telling them that success comes from discipline, effort, patience, thrift, temperance, and inner peace; that sharing is caring, and that there are opportunities in crises and lessons in adversity?” the Prime Minister added.

Other Caribbean nations also celebrated the historic occasion with ceremonies and events.

In Belize, NICH and the National Kriol Council hosted an event at Yabra Green in Belize City.

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