Back row, from right: President of Haynesville Youth Club, Peter Skeete; General Secretary of the Caribbean Movement for Peace and Integration, David Denny; and Public Relations Officer for the Pan African Coalition of Organisations, John Howell, are flanked by members of the Haynesville Youth Club in Central Close Park following yesterday’s media briefing.
With Barbados still caught up in the throes of the festive season, the Caribbean Movement for Peace and Integration, the Haynesville Youth Club and the Pan African Coalition of Organisations have joined forces to bring a bit of Kwanzaa to the island.
Two events have been planned surrounding the afrocentric festival as the involved parties seek to spread the message of the celebration.
The secular festival, which was first celebrated in 1966 in the United States, was borne out of a perceived need for persons of African heritage to have their own festivities during the holiday season and runs from December 26 to January 1st.
With the name Kwanzaa translating to mean “first fruits” and each day of the festival carrying a core principal, it is a celebration of African heritage, sharing and community building.
Speaking during a media conference held yesterday in Haynesville, President of the Haynesville Youth Club, Peter Skeete, explained that one of the main purposes of his organisation’s involvement was to show the true colours of the community which had received a bad rap in the past.
With the Youth Club numbering over 50 young persons involved in sports, culture and educational activities with wins at NIFCA and Community Dance Fest, as well as boasting the three-time winner in the Community Mini Parks competition, Central Close Park, Skeete said that the area was one to be proud of.
“Likewise, recently a lot has been said about the block culture and the Haynesville block team are the double champions of the Ministry of Youth Affairs Clock Draughts tournament. So all of this is what we will be bringing awareness to during our march and Haynesville, as a community, is participating in this event as a means to shed light on the positive things that happen in the community which in the past has been wrongfully associated only with negative discourse.” Skeete said.
Activities are set to begin this evening at Pelican Village with The Spirit of Kwanzaa. On the day of Nia (Purpose), Dr. Anthony Carter, or as he is better known, “The Mighty Gabby”, will be offering an intimate acoustic experience from seven pm. Seating is limited and a $20 donation is required.
Also speaking during yesterday’s briefing was John Howell, Public Relations Officer for the Pan African Coalition of Organisations and he expressed his joy at being able to partner with the community to bring Kwanzaa to the fore. “All you hear about is all of the negative but there is so much positive taking place. I am so happy to be able to come here and join the people of Haynesville and to bring Kwanzaa right into the village. The very last day of Kwanzaa is called Imani. Imani means “faith” and on that last day we will show the faith and the hope through the great achievements that come out of these communities that you don’t hear anything about.” Howell said.
Imani, which falls on January 1st, will see members of the Haynesville Youth Club parading through the community and its environs in a procession that is set to begin at the Desmond Haynes Sports Complex and end at the Centre Close Park. The parade is to be powered by tuk band music and will be accompanied by landship showcases at strategic points along the route. Scheduled for a 4 pm start, a celebration featuring other cultural offerings is slated for the Central Close venue. The programme is also dedicated to the Haitian Independence and the Cuban Revolution which also share their anniversary on the date. (MP)
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