Where Memory Dances: Emancipation Season with ACDA
Every year, as July slips into August, Guyana enters a season of remembrance and celebration that is as profound as it is vibrant. Emancipation in Guyana is not a single day; it is an entire cultural cycle that begins from July 31st and culminates in the grand observances on August 1st. At the centre of these national expressions stands the African Cultural & Development Association (ACDA), an organisation that, for more than three decades, has shaped the country’s most significant tribute to the African presence in Guyana. What ACDA has built is not merely an event—it is a living chronicle of memory, identity, resilience and community.
As visitors move through Georgetown in the weeks leading up to Emancipation, they quickly discover how the landscape begins to change. Along Main Street, the avenue transforms into a cultural bazaar. Here, vibrant African clothing, intricately beaded jewellery, hand-crafted accessories, books on African civilisation, and shelves of local literature become part of a lively marketplace that lasts for nearly two weeks. The scent of Guyanese and West African dishes fills the air—fufu steaming in large enamel bowls, conkee wrapped neatly in banana leaves, pone sliced in thick pieces, and cook-up, channa, fried fish and metemgee served in generous portions. Mauby, sorrel and a variety of local fruit juices cool the heat of the day. The bazaar is where many travellers first encounter the depth of Guyana’s Afro-Guyanese cultural identity, presented not as nostalgic memory, but as a tangible, modern expression of pride.
In the spiritual rhythm of the season, the three nights leading up to Emancipation are deeply moving. Each evening at approximately 7 p.m., small crowds gather at historic sites where enslaved Africans once lived, resisted and died. The first night is held at Stabroek, one of the places where enslaved people were sold and hung. The second takes place at Parade Ground, another space heavy with the memory of oppression. The final night becomes a procession, beginning either at Stabroek or Parade Ground and moving deliberately to the Square of the Revolution. At each site, libations are poured, prayers are spoken and the names of ancestors are called aloud. These ceremonies are not performances; they are sacred acts that connect the present generation to the people whose sweat and suffering built the foundations of the nation. To witness them is to understand that Emancipation in Guyana is not simply a holiday—it is a form of collective healing.
This year’s celebrations also included a Forum at the African Museum, led by Babalawos—Yoruba priests—who travelled from Nigeria. In their teachings on the Orishas, understood as spiritual guardians or angels, and on the Yoruba way of life, they added a rich philosophical and religious depth to the season. Their presence highlighted how African spirituality continues to evolve in Guyana, linked by ancestral memory and the ongoing curiosity of modern descendants.
When the dawn of August 1st arrives, the focus shifts to the grounds of the National Park at Thomas Lands. Long before the sun is fully in the sky, crowds gather at the tarmac for the sunrise libation at 6 a.m. This is one of the most solemn moments of the day, a space where silence, reverence and community converge. As the morning brightens, the energy builds until the centre stage opens at 10 a.m., launching a full day of cultural performance. Drumming reverberates across the park, dancers in brilliant African attire move in rhythmic waves, singers and spoken-word artists deliver stories of survival, and local and international performers step onto the stage. This year’s international artiste, Maxi Priest, added a layer of global musical flair to the celebration, following the tradition of bringing world-class performers to share the spotlight with local talent.
From the archway at the park’s entrance and stretching all the way to the turn near the waterway, stalls form a cultural corridor. Crafts, paintings, African fabrics, children’s books, wooden carvings, skincare products and homemade foods line the path. Both authentic Nigerian cuisine and traditional Guyanese dishes are sold side by side, reminding travellers that the African story in Guyana is both continental and creole—rooted in Africa yet shaped by centuries of Caribbean life.
By 2 p.m., the sound of drums signals another defining feature of the day: the parade. Participants assemble in an explosion of colour and movement. Majorettes from various villages, cultural groups from Mocha and Great Groverwaght, Nigerian and Surinamese contingents and community groups from across the country take part. The procession winds its way through the park and toward the main stage, where the remainder of the afternoon and evening unfold with performances by Guyanese artistes.
A key moment comes with the annual address by Brother Eric Phillips, an Executive Member of ACDA known for his work in the reparations movement. His speech reflects on slavery, emancipation and the pathways African descendants must pursue in order to thrive and transform their communities. His remarks are part history lesson, part motivational address, part call to national consciousness.
Throughout the day, the spirit of celebration is complemented by friendly competition. ACDA hosts the Ansa McAl Cook-Up Competition, which brings culinary creativity to the forefront. Cricket, football and volleyball competitions run alongside, bringing families and entire neighbourhoods together in friendly rivalry. This year’s walk-a-thon was dedicated to the late Brother Johnny “Overseas” Barnwell, who for many years coordinated sports at ACDA before his passing.
The educational booths remain one of the most meaningful features of the festival. Each year, they recreate an African-Guyanese village and spotlight a different African country, offering visitors a deeper understanding of the African story as it evolved in Guyana. This year’s country feature was Burkina Faso, giving attendees a chance to learn about hairstyles, masks, traditional names, inventions and historical achievements. It is one of the most popular stops for families with children.
What many visitors do not realise is that ACDA’s work extends far beyond Emancipation Day. Every Saturday, the association conducts cultural training for children in drumming, language, dance and other traditions. A literacy programme is being developed, and the adult “Sisters in Unity” group meets regularly to discuss issues affecting society while organising fundraising activities that support community development. ACDA is not only a cultural organisation; it is a social engine dedicated to transformation, empowerment and education.
For travellers to Guyana, the ACDA Emancipation Festival offers a rare opportunity to witness history, culture and spirituality come alive in a way that is both profound and joyous. It is an immersive experience where visitors can dance, eat, learn, reflect and participate in a living tradition that honours the resilience of African people in Guyana. More importantly, it gives insight into the soul of the nation—its collective memory, its multicultural identity, and its unending quest to connect the past with the future.
In a world where many cultural expressions have become commercial or diluted, Emancipation in Guyana—anchored by ACDA—remains authentic, courageous and deeply rooted. For anyone hoping to understand Guyana beyond the rainforest, beyond the scenery, and beyond the surface, this celebration is an essential journey into the country’s heart.