Emancipation Day Celebration in Port of Spain

01/25

Caption

Mother holding her daughter in her arms.

02/25

Caption

Prime Minister Mrs. Kamla Persad-Bissessar M.P., in procession wearing traditional African attire.

03/25

Caption

A Muslim man holding a demonstration card with anti-Obama sentiments.

04/25

Caption

Woman showcasing a beautiful earth-tone head dress.

05/25

Caption

Little girl performing on a traditional African drum.

06/25

Caption

Two men converse amidst celebrations.

07/25

Caption

Beautiful children sitting on a bench enjoying the celebrations.

08/25

Caption

A line of followers of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and the Freemasons.

09/25

Caption

A man looks on at the action wearing a toque and a bright colored scarf with African map insignia.

10/25

Caption

Two beautiful children on the sidewalk.

11/25

Caption

A woman wearing the head piece with the cross of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.

12/25

Caption

Anti-government demonstrators looking to voice their claim to rights.

13/25

Caption

A handsome young African couple.

14/25

Caption

The midnight robber/

15/25

Caption

A beautiful group of women.

16/25

Caption

A smiling African woman.

17/25

Caption

A woman seen in contemplation at the side of the road

18/25

Caption

Capoeira Dancers perform on the sidewalk.

19/25

Caption

Two wonderful children take in the fun from under the shade of a tree.

20/25

Caption

Two women waiting on their turn to join the procession.

21/25

Caption

A family well dressed in colourful outfits.

22/25

Caption

A capoeira dancer performs a headstand on the sidewalk.

23/25

Caption

A woman prepares her bead craft for sale on the sidewalk.

24/25

Caption

Smiling woman enjoying the celebrations.

25/25

Caption

Two women looks at the camera intently as they wait for the procession.

Report current story

Emancipation Day, which commemorates the abolition of slavery, was celebrated in the streets with many types of colourful and elaborate traditional African clothing and headpieces being worn by both men and women. Trinidad and Tobago. 1st August 2011

Emancipation is usually celebrated annually across the Anglophone Caribbean. It is a time for persons of African ancestry to reflect on the perils of slavery and how the monstrous atrocity against a section of humans was officially abolished. Celebrations at this time, while mainly attracts the overt celebration by people of African ancestry, also witnesses the support and embrace of the celebration by people of other ancestral lineages. This year on “August Monday”, as it is referred to, it was most striking to see a great display of African clothing designs and elaborate headpieces in the streets of Port of Spain. Several government dignitaries including Prime Minister the Hon Kamla Persaud-Bisessar and Minister of Culture and Multiculturalism the Hon Winston “Gypsy” Peters were in attendance.