The Lidj Yasu Omowale Emancipation Village’s vibrant showcase of African heritage through food, fashion, history and culture is capturing the hearts of patrons at the Queen’s Park Savannah.
National Carnival Commission Chairman Peter Kanhai, newly re-elected President of TUCO Ainsley King, and President of Pan Trinbago Beverley Ramsey-Moore toured the Emancipation Village on Tuesday evening with Head of the Emancipation Support Committee Zakiya Uzoma Wadada.
The tour was nothing short of a cultural immersion, as the group visited booths that captured African history, artefacts, clothing and cuisine.
The Freedom Tree allowed the group to define what freedom means to them on a gold leaf, which was later attached to strings that dangled among the powerful expressions of those who had previously visited the village.
Somewhere in between sampling sauces and greeting vendors, Mr Kanhai observed Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Darrell Allahar perusing clothing racks, hoping to spot the perfect African wear.
Chairman Kanhai said the change in location, on the paved section of the Queen’s Park Savannah, was welcomed by the Emancipation Support Committee.
He is urging citizens to visit the village, which holds stories of the resilience, determination and beauty of African people.
“As you can see, there has been a change this year in the location of the village, largely because the North Stand is still standing, but speaking with the officials of the Emancipation Support, they are very happy with this space. They like the fact that they have all the greenery on the ground and so on, so we are very happy that they are happy, and we would ask everybody to pay a visit to this Emancipation Village as well as to support the vendors and the booths and so on.”
Patrons will have the opportunity to visit the Lidj Yasu Omowale Emancipation Village until July 31st.