GRADE FIVE SOCIAL STUDIES

Hello Boys and Girls,

Have you visited any of the national monument sites as yet? This holiday period might be a good time for you to make your visits. Let us continue to look at other monuments which have been erected to keep alive the memory of famous persons.

Damon’s Monument

Do you know where this monument is located? It stands at Anna Regina on the Essequibo Coast. It was erected in honour of an enslaved African named Damon. He was the leader of a protest against the system of apprenticeship. Under this system, the slaves, who were expecting their full freedom from their cruel masters, had to instead work for an extended period for them. Imagine the feelings of the enslaved Africans who were eagerly waiting to cast off their cruel chains and their cruel masters. The protest took place in the Trinity Parish churchyard, at La Belle Alliance on the Essequibo Coast on August 8, 1834. Damon was arrested, tried and executed by hanging outside the Public Buildings in Georgetown for causing his fellow slave to rebel.

The nine-foot, three-ton statue depicts Damon in a giant bronze chain resting on a concrete plinth. The monument was designed and sculpted by Ivor Thom who was a lieutenant in the Guyana National Service.

The Cenotaph

The Cenotaph, also known as the War Memorial stands at the junction of Church and Main streets, right in front of Bank of Guyana. It is dedicated to the veterans (soldiers who served in the armed forces during the First and Second World Wars). This 4.6 metres high structure made of marble has on its base four faces. Inscribed on the faces are the words: Devotion, Humanity, Fortitude, and Sacrifice. There is a special time in every year when wreaths are laid at the base of this monument, by Government officials, trade union leaders and others. On the second Sunday of November of every year the fallen soldiers of World Wars 1 and 2 are usually honoured at a Remembrance Day Wreath Laying Ceremony.

Critchlow Monument

In the compound of Parliament Buildings, at the corner of High Street and Brickdam, stands the monument of Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow. This monument honours the memory of a great trade unionist. He is familiarly known as the ‘Father of Trade Unionism in Guyana’. On January 11, 1919 Critchlow founded the British Guiana Labour Union (BGLU) now known as the Guyana Labour Union (GLU). He was the first to represent the local Labour Movement overseas. Guyana’s first labour college was named after him. Can you say where this college is located?

Critchlow dedicated his life to bring about changes in the poor working conditions of workers. May 1st is set aside as a national holiday in honour of the memory of Critchlow. On this day known as Labour Day, May Day or Worker’s Day wreaths are usually laid at the base of the statue. Another highlight of the day is a parade of workers, decked out with their red and white outfits.

The Liberation Monument

We can find the Liberation Monument in the compound of the Umana Yana, in Kingston, Georgetown. This monument serves to keep alive the memory of Guyana’s support for the African Liberation Movement. You can see that this structure is made of five greenheart pillars of irregular height and a slab of granite which stands for the strength of the movement. The pebbles at its base represent thousands of people all over the world who keep on fighting for freedom.

Read and discuss the information with your classmates and friends. Goodbye boys and girls.