05/10/2024
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๐ข๐ซ๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐ ๐ญ๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ข๐ฌ๐ฆ ๐๐๐ซ๐ข๐๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ฆ๐๐ซ๐ข๐๐๐ฌ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ข๐ง๐ข๐๐๐ง ๐๐๐ฉ๐ฎ๐๐ฅ๐ข๐. ๐๐ญ๐๐ญ๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฆ ๐๐ข๐ง๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ซ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ฅ ๐๐ฎ๐ง๐ข๐ฌ.
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ยฎ๏ธ๐ผ๐๐๐๐๐ฉ๐๐๐๐
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At the first UN Tourism Africa and Americas Summit, which opens in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, our esteemed Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Madam Nabeela Tunis, in her statement, congratulated the Dominican Republic for bringing the two continents (Africa and the Americas) together to build a bridge between them.
Madam Tunis stated that the delegation from Sierra Leone appreciates the hospitality accorded to them and also thanked Minister Collador and his team for making this summit happen. She also commended the Secretary-General and his team for transforming the tourism landscape and making it more inclusive and diverse. Madam Tunis made reference to the rapid recovery that has occurred after COVID and noted that due to the ability of this sector to bounce back, it could be the strategy needed to accelerate progress on the SDGs in general.
Minister Tunis highlighted that the cultural connection between Africa and the Americas, particularly from the perspective of Sierra Leone, is deeply rooted in history and has shaped the identity and traditions of both continents. One of the most significant and tragic connections is the transatlantic slave trade, which brought millions of Africans to the Americas. Minister Tunis emphasized that Sierra Leone holds a significant place in the history of the transatlantic slave trade, as many who were taken to the Americas came from the region now known as Sierra Leone. It is worth visiting Bonthe Island and the Rotumba Slave Fort to reconnect with your heritage.
Minister Tunis continued by stating that the slave trade led to a profound cultural exchange, as African traditions, languages, and customs blended with those of indigenous peoples and European settlers, creating unique cultural expressions. The influence of African languages can be seen in the Creole languages spoken in the Caribbean and ports of the Americas. She added that in Sierra Leone, we have a unique form of Creole, which is a widely spoken vernacular across the country. African rhythms and musical styles have had a lasting impact on the music of the Americas, with genres like jazz, blues, samba, reggae, hip-hop, and several others all having roots in African musical traditions.
Regarding religion and spirituality, Madam Tunis mentioned that African spiritual practices, including those from Sierra Leone, have influenced religions in the Americas, leading to the creation of syncretic religions. In terms of cuisines, the culinary traditions of the Americas have also been enriched by African ingredients and cooking techniques. Several dishes are shared across the two continents. On language and literature, African languages have influenced many of the Creole languages in the Caribbean and parts of the Americas. It may interest you to know that there is even a place named Freetown in Trinidad and Tobago, and we also have a Sierra Leone Road in Diego Martin, Trinidad and Tobago.
Please watch the rest of the video and enjoy the dynamic statement of the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Madam Tunis, at the first UN Tourism Africa and Americas Summit in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.