There is a studied move by leaders of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), and some of their complicit and covetous supporters to dispossess Africans of their lands. The Jagdeo/Ali regime is moving through this nation, particularly with an eye to possess and covet African ancestral lands and redistribute them to their supporters as they see fit. They are either unconcerned about or are deliberately stoking racial tensions and conflicts.
The traditional belief of Africa, brought here by the forebears of Africans, that land is a gift from God, passed on to us from our ancestors and we should likewise bequeath same to our descendants, without some form of legal documentation, is not acceptable in 21st century Guyana.
Land is wealth and to own land (and have proof through documentation) is to own wealth and a piece of the nation.
Africans must get up and move to claim ancestral lands through prescriptive and other legal (documentation) rights.
Whereas some may not be effectively occupying their lands, have allowed others to occupy out of kindness, or lapsed in collecting rent for the lands, this is a call to action. Persons can no longer sit on the sideline, act unconcerned or feel burdened by what may sometimes be tedious efforts at seeking to regularise ancestral lands.
Others could learn from the ongoing experiences of the descendants of Cudjoe McPherson, and the extent to which the PPP regime and their supporters are moving to claim land in Kingelly, West Coast Berbice, that remains transported to this former slave via Transport No. 4246 dated 6th July 1851. Said property has never been out of the possession of Cudjoe McPherson, save and except a few pieces occupied by various means.
The PPP had sought to covet the physically unoccupied lands since the change of government in August 2020. These violations began in earnest on Saturday, 22nd August 2020, some 20 days after they were sworn into office. On that day, the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall held a meeting with residents of Kingelly and advised them to break down the fence being erected on the lands belonging to Cudjoe by the lawful owners (heirs of Cudjoe McPherson).
Since then, Cudjoe’s descendants have been the recipients of constant threats, acts of violence, and dragged before the court, at the instigation of the politicians in effort to have their supporters occupy land they do not own, and to promote ethnic violence and race baiting.
African ancestral land is a matter of national interest given that this is a piece of national history being destroyed and could threaten the peace and harmony of groups. A caring government would seek to ensure the history of African ancestral lands is preserved and remain in the hands of the descendants, not take them away. We must accept the PPP is not a caring regime and descendants must move independently, within the ambit of the law, to protect and defend their lands.
184 years ago, i.e., one year after Emancipation (1838), former slaves, individually and collectively, started buying up plantations on the coast land and converted them to villages, giving rise to the Village Movement; a movement not replicated in any part in the British Empire.
Many of the villages bought remain as family properties. Whilst this level of cooperation and acquisition remains a great feat, persons must not take pride in their ancestors’ accomplishment only as documented history and to share as stories, but to also maintain and bequeath to future generations.
Afro Guyanese, this is a wakeup call. Preserve your wealth, your legitimate right. This is a call for peaceful and legitimate action.
