The Tobago House of Assembly (THA) has planned a series of events across the island to mark the Year of the People of African Descent.The theme is "Voices of Freedom."The observances began with a pre-Independence event at Delaford Community Centre organised by the Division of Community Development and Culture.This month signals a Drum Call throughout Tobago when drummers will visit villages in motorcades saluting their ancestors.Three concerts will be held, one in the east, one in the west and the other in the northern part of the island. Included in this activity will be media sensitisation and a discussion on African detention in Tobago.The commemoration will also embrace Republic Day celebrations on September 24.In October, the Division will partner with Tuco and other literary organisations in celebrating the literary arts. The celebrations will include oral traditions in all its forms.A series of seminars, workshops and competitions will also be held that will embrace the Education Division.
Also in October, there will be the raising of ancestral flags along with the national and the Assembly flags in recognition of the various African nations that were brought to Trinidad and Tobago.The celebration will continue with the erection of an African village.In giving the details at a recent post-Executive Council media briefing, THA Chief Secretary Orville London said since November was African History Month, there will be seminars, symposia and discussions on African people and the contributions they made and continue to make in moving forward.History Month will be observed in December and will include the Assembly's 30th anniversary celebrations during which focus will be on certain aspects of the African heritage.London said Tobago was a place with a very strong African tradition and a preponderance of people of African descent, so the Assembly would honour the African heritage in very many different ways. "Of course we would have been doing it consistently through our Heritage Festival, through our Drum Festival, through various other activities, through cultural and other activities we have had throughout the communities."