A total of 250 primary school students will get the opportunity to participate in the National Library Service’s Africa Day celebrations being held on Thursday, May 25, at Farley Hill National Park, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
It is one of the activities during the Season of Emancipation to mark Africa Day, which is observed annually in various countries on the African continent to commemorate the foundation of the Organisation of African Unity on May 25, 1963.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office with responsibility for Culture, Senator Dr. Shantal Munro-Knight, will deliver remarks during the event, which was designed to educate children about their African heritage.
Students, ages seven to 11, from Hindsbury, Belmont, Charles F. Broome Memorial, Deacons, Eagle Hall, Gordon Greenidge, Selah, St. Joseph, Elliott Belgrave and Ellerton Primary Schools will be exposed to African oral tradition in a storytelling session by Master Storyteller, Gregory Fitt.
Pinelands Creative Workshop will perform Landship manoeuvres and explain the meaning of the drums and the movements.
Four student couples will show off their African-inspired outfits made by local designers during the modelling segment of the day’s proceedings.
Additionally, the children will sample African treats, which are enjoyed by their African peers but not readily available here.
A virtual cultural link-up with children living in South Africa, Ghana, and Kenya will give the students an opportunity to interact with their peers on the African continent and exchange cultural experiences with each other.
There will also be a demonstration of the traditional African game Warri, and a library tent. The Season of Emancipation runs from April 14 to August 27.