The IPADA-G exhibit, Paragraphs of African History opened on January 27, 2020 at the National Library and remained on display throughout African History Month, February 2020.

This informative history exhibit consists of twelve “books”, each presenting a glimpse or “paragraph” of a larger body of the work of internationally renowned researchers, including Guyanese George G.M. James and Ivan Van Sertima. Numerous credible independent researchers continue to participate in the effort to depict the true contributions of the African People to world civilization.  The exhibit highlights some of their findings.

The historical period of the display stretches from 1966, the era of Guyana’s Independence, back in time to the African beginning of the human species and includes a review of the African contributions to Guyana, Europe, contemporary and ancient Nile Valley regions, and the Americas. 

In conjunction with the exhibit at the National Library, IDPADA-G hosted two lectures on the pivotal post-emancipation period.  Lectures by Ms. Kizzie Kitt, a researcher from the National Museum on “The Management of Villages” and the “Village Movement: its Significance in Guyana’s Economy” by Ms. Johnnell Henery, a researcher, allowed guests to not only view the exhibit, but to focus on and learn more about the struggles that forged the Movement.

The presentations set out some of the factors that shaped the very foundations of African Villages in the British Guiana post emancipation era.  Included were examples of archival documents illustrating the purchase of Plantation Northbrook (Victoria) and Plantation Cotton (Plaisance) and primary source documentation of the challenges emancipated Africans confronted as they sought to establish villages and governance systems.  The audience learned about some of the legislation implemented by the colonial Government to control and often stymie the management of African village communities during the 1840s to 1860s.  

Paragraphs in African History and the lecture series at the National Library have ended but thanks to the Ministry of Social Cohesion, the exhibit is now permanently displayed in the National Museum which provides access to the general public.