Emancipation Day in Trinidad & Tobago

EMANCIPATION DAY

 Emancipation Day is celebrated in many nations in the Americas and also has great significance all over the world. It is the day on which the country accepted or implemented the emancipation policy and abolished slavery. It is a day of bringing equality among people.

Trinidad and Tobago was the first country in the world to declare a national holiday commemorating the end of slavery. Emancipation Day is celebrated on the first of August every year.

The day is celebrated by remembering all those people who contributed significantly in having this great act of kindness bestowed.

Every year a joyful street parade is organized. There is dancing to the sound of African drums and chants, with participants dressed in traditional African garb parading through the streets.

Another annual feature, is the Cultural Lidj Yasu Omowale Emancipation village. This village highlights the traditions and customs, which ‘Africans’ have contributed to the development of the country. The village is the center of activities with exhibitions of African dance, food and music. Food, clothing and other items are available for purchasing.

There is always something to celebrate in Trinidad and Tobago. The different ethnic groups have contributed richly to the dance, music, art, cuisine and the various festivals.

The popular Trinidad and Tobago two-day Carnival is an explosion of the same culture, colour and drama…another opportunity to showcase the rich artistic cultural expressions of the islands.