Crowds enjoy Emancipation Day festivities

A family decked out for the Emancipation Day celebrations in the National Park yesterday. (Photo by Keno George)

A sea of colours and the familiar aroma of local food filled the National Park yesterday as Guyanese celebrated Emancipation Day.

Scores of people of all races were decked out in their African wear and many families could be easily recognised by their colour-coordinated outfits. The sounds of drums pounding out African rhythms added to the atmosphere of liberty and joy displayed by locals and a number of foreigners who joined in the celebration of the 177th anniversary of the abolition of slavery in Guyana.

Booths lined the park from one end to the other offering local Guyanese dishes and traditional African dishes, crafts, games, and information. They attracted the attention of people coming from as far as Trinidad, Suriname, England, Jamaica, and Nigeria. The food on sale included dishes such as Conkie, Metemgee, Cook-Up Rice, Black and White Pudding, Foo-Foo and Sugar-Cake among other mouth-watering delicacies. Craft booths offered hand-made jewellery from