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The AFC salutes all Guyanese on the occasion of Arrival Day. We the sons and daughters of the many who arrived on these shores in bondage, and in servitude, have much to be proud of, and have to pay homage to, their sacrifices and contributions.
Guyanese singer/songwriter Dave Martins in his song “Is We Own” tells the story of our journey through the centuries:
“We come across the Caribbean Sea mother, father, pickney and we settle in GT, we tek off we boots and put down we roots, Guyana is we own.”
This is the story of modern Guyana. All of us save except for our indigenous brothers and sisters, came across oceans and seas to be here. We established our roots, contributed to Guyana’s development, and have for the past centuries sought to forge a Guyanese identity.
May 5 marks the 171st anniversary of the arrival of our brothers and sisters from India, and undoubtedly, the Guyanese mosaic has been made brighter and richer by their arrival and contribution.
On this auspicious day, the AFC wishes all Guyanese to re-discover the meaning of the words of our National Anthem:
“Green land of Guyana, our heroes of yore,
Both bondsmen and free, laid their bones on your shore.
This soil so they hallowed, and from them are we,
All sons of one mother, Guyana the free.
Great land of Guyana, diverse though our strains,
We are born of their sacrifice, heirs of their pains.
And ours is the glory their eyes did not see,
One land of six peoples, united and free.
Let us all recommit to dedicate our energies towards the unity, happiness and prosperity of our Dear Land of Guyana.
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