The Lidj Yasu Omowale Emancipation Village opened at the Queen's Park Savannah on July 27.
[caption id="attachment_1099249" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Drummers of the San Juan South Cultural Organisation performed at the Lidj Yasu Omowale Village on July 27. - Photo by Ayanna Kinsale[/caption]
The village boasts booths with dozens of local artisans, craftspeople, food vendors and others with the aim of strengthening the celebrations surrounding Emancipation Day, now titled African Emancipation Day which is commemorated annually on August 1.
[caption id="attachment_1099246" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Yasanyah El of Djhowtey Adornments displayed her popular Trinidad and Tobago earrings at her booth in the village on July 27. - Photo by Ayanna Kinsale[/caption]
The village is named after activist and past co-chair of the Emancipation Support Committee of Trinidad and Tobago, Lidj Yasu Piankhi Omowale (deceased), who was instrumental in advocating for the Government to officially recognise Emancipation Day as a public holiday.
[caption id="attachment_1099239" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Members of the San Juan South Cultural Organisation put on an entertaining performance at the village opening on July 27. - Photo by Ayanna Kinsale[/caption]
In addition to the artisan and vendor booths, the village will be home to several events including the Rhythm and Voices of Africa series, the Shikamoo concert in tribute to calypsonian King Luta and other cultural showcases, culminating in the main celebrations on August 1.
[caption id="attachment_1099250" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Skirts were a-twirl as members of San Juan South Cultural Organisation perform on stage at the village's opening on July 27. - Photo by Ayanna Kinsale[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_1099245" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Emancipation Support Committee director Khafra Kambon, left, and his wife Dr Asha Kambon enjoyed themselves at the performances on July 27. - Photo by Ayanna Kinsale[/caption]
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Calypsonian Edwin "Crazy" Ayoung perform during the opening event of the Lidj Yasu Omowale Village at the Queen's Park Savannah on July 27. - Photo by Ayanna Kinsale[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_1099253" align="alignnone" width="1024"] At the opening of the Lidj Yasu Omowale Village on July 27 at the Queen's Park Savannah, jewelry designer Natalie Howe, centre, showed off her fan designs with her mother Patsy, left, and sister Afiya, right. - Photo by Ayanna Kinsale[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_1099244" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Calypsonian Zachary Ransome wowed the crowds at the event's opening on July 27. - Photo by Ayanna Kinsale[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_1099242" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Calypsonian Helon Francis performed during the opening of the event on July 27. - Photo by Ayanna Kinsale[/caption]
The post Lidj Yasu Omowale Village Opening appeared first on Trinidad and Tobago Newsday.
