Emancipation Day

The Emancipation Support Committee of Trinidad & Tobago hosts a week of activities leading up to Emancipation Day including cultural performances in music, song and dance. Over the past years, leading international artistes such as the world renowned National Senegalese Ballet, Lorraine Klassen and Jabu Khanyile from South Africa have performed in the celebrations.

Other activities include an art exhibition, lectures by prominent Pan African scholars, opportunities for networking and business development through the annual International Trade and Investment Symposium.

The Kamboule (street procession) on Emancipation Day is theatre in motion, a mass procession throughout the streets of the capital Port of Spain, featuring African drums, steelband, moko jumbies and dance groups. The day ends with the Flambeau Procession later in the night, recalling the rebellion of the African Ancestors against slavery.

Sourcce: Pintrest (2015)

Within recent times, Emancipation celebrations have attracted an increasing number of foreign visitors from across the African diaspora. Trinidad & Tobago is now dubbed the Emancipation Capital of the world and the celebrations form one of the world’s foremost African festivals.According to Global World (2015), in 1933 an emancipation bill was created was passed by the government in order to get all the slaves free, but they were not slaved and got emancipated. However, news was in the air that complete freedom would be granted to those slaves, who will be accept to be apprenticed to their former master for minimum of 4 years. However, very soon the system of slavery was abolished, which provided the slaves with complete freedom.

Sourcce: Discover TT (2015)

In 1985, August 1, Emancipation Day, was declared a national holiday. Since 1985, Emancipation celebrations have grown into a major national festival, where tens of thousands of people participate in various activities. Thus, the day is celebrated with great Zeal and Enthusiasm throughout the country. The abolishment of slavery was well accepted and celebrated in every country