Latest update April 18th, 2024 12:59 AM
Aug 02, 2016 News
As part of emancipation observance, the community of Bachelors Adventure will commemorate the 183rd anniversary of the Demerara Revolt. Given the significant milestone, organisers are hosting a three-day event this August.
This will feature an inter-village road relay race from Unity Mahaica to Bachelors Adventure followed by a prize giving ceremony.
According to Coordinator of the event, Aaron Blackman, the activities are in collaboration with the Paradise-Bachelors Adventure Youth Sports and Culture Club.
“There will also be an address by executive director of the African Cultural Development Association (ACDA) Eric Phillips and Community Outreach by Government Ministers and representatives.”
Blackman said, “The activities will be held from August 18, at the Paradise-Bachelors Adventure-Melanie Damishana Community Centre.
“It will include an inter club and inter village road relay race, lectures, cultural presentations, wreath laying ceremony at a monument erected at THE PARBAMEL Community Center Lawn commissioned by President David Granger while in opposition, and an expected outreach to the community by Ministers of Government and their representatives on August 19,” Blackman outlined.
Blackman said that renowned historian, Winston F. McGowan ,in his book “Demerara revolt, 1823” stated that “The year 1823 was the turning point in slave society and is one of the most important events in Guyanese and Caribbean history.
Blackman said the book was edited by President Granger, himself.
He said that “the revolt broke out on Monday August 18, 1823. A march from Mahaica commenced, destined from Georgetown to meet the Governor. The next day Governor Murray proclaimed martial law and mobilized a formidable military force comprising the 21st (North British Fusiliers) Regiment; the 1st Battalion, Demerara Militia; the Marine Battalion; one Calvary troop; and one artillery company, and met the revolting slaves at Bachelors Adventure on East Coast Demerara on August 20.”
“The revolting slaves on the other hand, despite their greater numbers, were unarmed except for cutlasses and a few muskets seized from the planters. They were untrained in military tactics and untutored in political negotiation. The Africans presumed naively, that they could plead their mistaken case for their rights supported by a mere show of strength without resort to waging a war of liberation. On August 20, there was a massacre at Plantation Bachelors Adventure.
“Over 2000 rebels confronted the main body of troops under Lieutenant Colonel Leahy. After some talk the Martial Law proclamation was read and the troops were ordered to attack.
“About 200 slaves had been killed.”
Blackman stated that during this time of Emancipation, the village of Bachelors Adventure has decided to commemorate the martyred slaves” whose blood was not shed in vain,” since it was revolts like these that led to freedom from slavery and other systems of oppression.
JAGDEO ADDING MORE DANGER TO GUYANA AND THE REGION
Apr 18, 2024
SportsMax – West Indies captain Hayley Matthews has been named Wisden’s leading Twenty20 Cricketer for 2023, as she topped all and sundry, including her male counterparts. Alan Gardner looks...Kaieteur News – Compliments of the Ministry of Education, our secondary school children are being treated to a stage... more
By Sir Ronald Sanders Waterfalls Magazine – On April 10, the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States... more
Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.
Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]