Read below the statement issued by the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) to commemorate International Day for People of African Descent 2026:
The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) joins the global community and citizens across Guyana in observing the United Nations (UN) International Day for People of African Descent. The observance provides an opportunity to recognize the rich heritage, resilience and remarkable contributions of people of African descent, while reflecting on the important role of African Guyanese in shaping our history, culture and national identity.
The story of Guyana cannot be told without acknowledging the experiences and contributions of our African brothers and sisters and their descendants. Enslaved Africans endured the brutal system of chattel slavery, the denial of fundamental human rights and freedoms, while their labour, helped build the foundations of the plantation economy and the infrastructure of the country. Their history is also one of courage and resistance, from the 1763 Berbice Rebellion led by Cuffy to the 1823 Demerara Revolt. Following Emancipation in 1838, formerly enslaved Africans demonstrated remarkable determination and enterprise through the Village Movement, acquiring land and establishing communities that became an important part of Guyana’s social and economic development.
That legacy continues to be reflected in the richness of Guyana’s cultural landscape. Guyanese of African descent have made and continue to make significant contributions across public life, education, the arts, sport, business, agriculture, science, culture and many other fields. Their music, traditions, institutions, creativity and community spirit have become an integral part of nation building and have helped shape the distinctive Guyanese identity we celebrate today.
The 2026 UN theme, “Expanding the Human Rights of People of African Descent,” invites us to build on this recognition by continuing to promote equality, dignity, respect and understanding. For Guyana, this can be a shared endeavour: to learn from our history, appreciate the contributions of every community and ensure that our diverse heritage remains a source of strength and connection.
The Ethnic Relations Commission encourages all Guyanese to use this observance to deepen our appreciation of the African heritage that forms an important part of our national story, while recognising the many cultural traditions that together make Guyana what it is. May this occasion inspire greater understanding, mutual respect and continued pride in our shared identity.
