Members of Ndere - the Ugandan National Dance Troupe
TriniView.com Reporters
Event Date: August 01, 2008
The Emancipation 2008 celebrations hit a high note with the annual Emancipation morning Kambule Parade on August 01, 2008, from the Brian Lara Promenade to the Lidj Yasu Omowale village in the National Stadium. Thousands of people turned up for the launch of the parade in front of the Treasury Building on Independence Square. Decked in colourful African wear, the young and the old, men and women lined the streets to celebrate Emancipation Day. Kambule is Kikongo (languge of the Congo) for street procession. According to a release from the Emancipation Support Committee, the Kambule pays homage to our African Ancestors who commemorated the end of slavery by processing through the streets.
Ghanaian President John Agyekum Kufuor with Prime Minister
Patrick Manning and his wife Hazel
Elder Equino Moyo addressed the large gathering as he emphasized the importance of Emancipation and of appreciating the contributions of various ancestors. He invoked the memories of these ancestors who contributed towards the collective consciousness. The guest of honor, Ghanaian President John Agyekum Kufuor soon arrived and he addressed the audience as he emphasized the connections between Ghana and Trinidad and Tobago. Also addressing the audience was Khafra Kambon and Marlene McDonald, Minister of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs.
Kambule through the streets of Port of Spain
After this formal launch, the masses of people made their way through the streets of Port of Spain towards the Lidj Yasu Omowale Village. It was a colourful and vibrant procession with Moko Jumbies, African drummers and Orisha groups chanting Orisha songs. There was also the powerful Laventille Rhythm Section, the colourful Bobo Shanti Group, Steelbands, the energetic Picton Folk Performers and many other groups from throughout the length and breath of the country. Also taking to the street and giving a splendid performance was Ndere, the Ugandan Dance Troupe who again demonstrated their talents before the large crowd of people.
Kambule enters the Lidj Yadu Omowale Village
As happened last year, the bright sunshiny day soon gave way to overcast conditions and before long the rains came, showering the celebrants with droplets. While some ran for shelter, many continued their celebration in the rain, as the throbbing African music and drumming carried on. The rains continued as the procession entered the Lidj Yasu Omowale Village, forcing many to seek shelter under tents and in the Jean Pierre Complex.
Bobo Shantis rock some Nyabinghi rhythms
Despite the inclement weather, the celebration continued in the Emancipation village. The Bobo Shanti group soon attracted people to their tent as they unleashed some powerful African drumming and singing to the delight of the onlookers. Onlookers danced and sang along to the rocking Nyabinghi drums and chants.
Other people ventured into the food section to select their lunch from the varied offerings there. Celebrants also visited the booths to browse and purchase African clothes, arts, jewelry, books and other items.
Dignitaries and other guests at the Lidj Yasu Omowale Village
As the rain passed, the Ghanaian President John Agyekum Kufuor and the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Patrick Manning, arrived at the main stage in the Lidj Yasu Omowale village for the start of the afternoon's programme. The impressive Ndere Dance Troupe again performed for the audience, highlighting the indigenous African instruments, their melodious vocals and their energetic dance routines to the delight of the crowd.
LEFT: Marlene Mc Donald, John Agyekum Kufuor, Khafra Kambon and Patrick Manning
Khafra Kambon, addressed the audience and shared with the audience some of the connections between Trinidad and Tobago and Ghana as he spoke about Ghana being the first African country to celebrate Emancipation Day after their President Jerry Rawlins visited Trinidad and Tobago in 1997. He spoke about Lord Kitchener who composed a national song for Ghana titled 'Birth of Ghana' as well as a library in Ghana named after the famous Trinidadian George Padmore. Kambon went on to remark that there are too few occasions that Africans embrace themselves emotionally and spirituality. He pointed to the presence of (self-destructive) behaviors but cautioned that the only way to find solutions is to "know who we are." Kambon went on to criticize the local business community for not supporting the annual Emancipation Day Celebrations.
Ghanaian President John Agyekum Kufuor
Also addressing the audience was Ghanaian President John Agyekum Kufuor who told the audience that Africans who came here during slavery brought with them the spirit of the ancients, that is still very much alive today. He urged the audience to continue honoring the ancients as there is a lot that Africa has to contribute towards humanity. Highlighting the ills and dehumanization of slavery and the slave trade, he emphasized that Africans are not interested in introducing reverse racism, but were interested in ensuring that all human beings are treated with respect and dignity. He appealed to those who had been brought to the Caribbean by the injustices of history to make links to the African continent.
Emancipation Day Parade 2008 in pictures:
www.triniview.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=286172
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