Latest update April 23rd, 2024 12:59 AM
Oct 10, 2014 News
– Prominent American historian, author, lecturer is keynote speaker
For years, Africans around the world have observed October 12 as the official day of African Holocaust. It is the single
most important date on the global African calendar which recognizes that day in 1492 when the European, Christopher Columbus arrived in the Caribbean Region, “signaling the unbridled decimation of indigenous culture and people throughout the world.”
The African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA) has teamed up with the Coalition of the Parade Ground Monument to present Dr. Runoko Rashidi; prominent historian, author, public lecturer and researcher. In its move to reiterate the importance of African consciousness (pre-slavery African history), ACDA has amplified the linkage of Columbus’ arrival in the Caribbean to the continued depopulation, and the various forms of discrimination suffered by Africans in the West.
Dr. Rashidi will deliver special addresses in relation to the African presence around the world prior to European domination. He will provide research information and scholarly teachings on the history and contributions of Africans subsequent and prior to European invasions.
Apart from his other fields, Dr. Runoko Rashidi is also an Anthropologist with a major focus on what he calls the Global African Presence—that is, Africans outside of Africa before and after enslavement. He is the author/editor of eighteen books, the most recent being ‘Black Star: The African Presence in Early Europe’, published by Books of Africa in London in November 2011 and ‘African Star over Asia: The Black Presence in the East’, published by Books of Africa in London in November 2012 and revised and reprinted in April 2013.
Dr. Rashidi also worked closely with Guyana-born Professor of Africana Studies, Dr. Ivan Van Sertima. Dr. Rashidi’s works included ‘The African Presence in Early Asia’, co-edited by Dr. Van Sertima. His two major forthcoming works are: ‘The Ivan Van Sertima Papers: The Global African Presence’ and ‘Everywhere We Are: The Global African Presence’ by Runoko Rashidi.
During a press conference at ACDA’s headquarters, Thomas Lands, it was explained that “the student of African history would immediately acknowledge that Dr. Rashidi is in fact continuing a tradition that seemingly was initiated by the Guyanese Anthropologist, Pan Africanist and writer, Dr. Ivan Van Sertima, that of documenting ‘The Global African presence.’”
“Dr. Runoko Rashidi’s major mission in life is the uplifting of the African people, those at home and those abroad. He is the official Traveling Ambassador for Marcus Garvey’s Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League, currently in its 100th year of service.
“This is Dr. Rashidi’s third visit to Guyana. His last visit was more than ten years ago and we are truly honoured that he has agreed to come at this time, as he has never missed an African Holocaust Commemoration in Los Angeles, California, in twenty-three years. This bears witness to the emphasis he places on the importance and significance of the Commemoration of the African Holocaust.”
African Holocaust or ‘Maafa’ (day) is a Kiswahili or Swahili term for “Disaster” or “Terrible Occurrence”.
“Maafa is also the word that best describes the more than 500 hundred years of suffering of people of African descent through Slavery, Imperialism, Colonialism, Invasions and Exploitation. The Maafa uniquely refers to the subjugation, contamination and loss of indigenous African cultures, languages, spiritual beliefs and encompasses the historic and ongoing commercial exploitation of Africa’s human and natural resources through enslavement, colonization and neo-colonialism.”
Dr. Rashidi will be giving lectures free of cost at Friendship Primary School, East Coast Demerara at 1700h (5 p.m.) tomorrow. He will also speak on Sunday morning at the Sea Wall Bandstand, at 05:45h, in ACDA’s Holocaust programme, while there will be libation at Parliament Building at noon on Monday.
Dr. Rashidi will also deliver lectures on the West Coast, in Berbice and in Linden during next week. More information can be gathered from ACDA at email address: [email protected]. Contact can also be made with 1823 Parade Ground Coalition President; Sister Penda Guyana.
(Zena Henry)
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