And, had it been put to the test, African garb would have sure won out as was attested by ACDA's Brother Stan Cooke, who despite his being visually impaired, said according to the feedback he had been having, 80 per cent of the patrons this year were bedecked in African attire.

Indeed, looking down from the stage at the swell of humanity gathered on the tarmac to savour the cultural presentations, one could have easily been misled into believing that they were in a country in Africa.

This, Cooke said, was in startling contrast to what transpired back in 1995, when ACDA first came on the scene, at which time African attire comprised less than 20 per cent of the garb being worn by patrons.

Since then, he said, not only has the level of "consciousness about dress" seen a vast improvement, but so also has the quality of the event, in that it has been "internationalised" somewhat, through the incorporation of a wealth of talent from as far afield as South Africa and Cuba, and neighbouring Colombia, Suriname and Brazil.

Among South African tribes present this year, he said, are the Zulus and Entebbes. Another is due to arrive shortly for post-Emancipation activities.

He noted too that the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport has also come aboard even though its participation is what he referred to as being "on the periphery."

Cooke said he would like to see the ministry become more involved as the event has now assumed national proportions, second only to Christmas and with a spirit all its own.

"The season now is second only to Christmas,' he said, "in terms of the attraction and interest it has evoked in the entire community."

He supported this argument by referring to the recent plethora of advertisements advertising items specifically for the occasion, particularly from merchant houses having to do with the sale of fabric.

Chockfull of activities as per usual, the day began at 05:30 hrs with a Sunrise Service, followed by a Fishing Competition, a Five-A-Side Knockout Football Tournament, and the Circle Tennis finals.

Among other activities were story-telling, drumming classes, face painting, the sale of craft items, a photographic exhibition mounted by the Culture Ministry, and a metem-gee competition sponsored by a local firm.

Traditionals included such games as hopscotch, litty, gam, P-Put and tug-o-war, and bag and lime and spoon race.