Tobago kicks off Emancipation with street parade

UNDER the theme A People, a Nation, a Journey of the Drums to Freedom, Tobago will celebrate African Emancipation Day with a street procession and stage show.

Cultural Officer in the THA Division of Tourism, Culture, Antiquities and Transportation Jessie Taylor explained the plans.

Taylor said this year's celebration will be focused on drumming.

He said in times past, the drums were revered as the voice which echoed on the plantation, which was really responsible for sending messages, for bringing healing, for soothing, for all the rituals that would have been done.

“So this year we start with the drums. We have joined with the Tobago Drummers Association and we are proud to have the drum explosion as part of the Emancipation Day parade that culminates the Tobago Heritage Festival but indeed is under the remit of the Culture Department in the THA Division of Tourism, Culture, Antiquities and Transportation.”

The street parade will start at the Crown Point Colosseum and move through the streets into the Store Bay Heritage Park at 9am.

He is urging all to join in the celebration.

“There is no better opportunity to celebrate our freedom than on Freedom Day, Emancipation Day. The THA allows us an opportunity to congregate with people of similar beliefs, to reach people. There is also this opportunity for you to have the inter-generational transfer of knowledge.”