Funding late for Emancipation celebrations

In his opening address, ESC Chairman, Khafra Kambon, thanked his service providers for “trusting them” enough to still create the Lidj Yasu Omowale Village, and called for more respect from the Government.

He said, “A call was made to the office today indicating that the Emancipation Support Committee will receive funding. Today, on opening day of the village... How would we ever achieve — even the foundation we have put down here — if we did not have service providers who trusted us? Cause it cost them a tremendous amount to put down the structures and foundation we see in the Emancipation Village every year. If we did not have their trust, what would happen? Right now, the village is nothing like how it was last year, cause all the funding is late. “I am saying part of the respect for African people must come from all governments present and future, and I am saying respect must be shown for the commemoration of Emancipation, and my brothers and sisters we must stand up for justice in 2015!”

Dressed in an assortment of traditional African garbs, hundreds gathered from 7 pm to witness the official blessing of the village and opening event entitled “Shikamoo”, which was dedicated to calypso icon “The Black Stalin” (Leroy Caliste). International guest, Dr Julius Garvey (son of Marcus Mosiah Garvey) was also present to witness the extensive programme, which included: a drumology, all manner of costumed moko jumbies, a libation by MC Pearl Eintou Springer, and performances by Sadiki Stiks-on-Steel, Chalkdust, Xavier Strings, Ujamaa Ambatana, Aaron Duncan, Twiggy and Kevan Caliste, Duane O’Connor and Valentino.

The week-long celebrations continued with a Youth Pan Concert, Jazz at Sunset and Pan Night yesterday, a Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Symposium at the Hilton Trinidad and Conference Centre and Youth Day at the Queen’s Park Savannah today and a grand concert tonight at the Lidj Yasu Omowale Village from 8 pm.