MASH in Guyana wouldn’t be Mash without the stimulating and captivating presence of masquerade dancers – with a reputation for being literally the epic masters of street dancing.

And true to form, on Mash Day last Friday, as Guyana’s biggest Mashramani celebration – the Costume Band and Float Parade took to the streets of Georgetown, literally dozens of colourfully-attired masquerade dancers regaled the thousands of onlookers with a fine display of rhythmic and well-rehearsed performances.

There were bands from Ann’s Grove; Victoria; West Demerara, Belladrum; Weldaad, Golden Fleece and Number 28, Berbice and the West Bank Demerara Masquerade Band which under its leader Kwame Franklin, put forward a stimulating display. The West Bank Demerara Band, taking their performances to another level, was recently adjudged the Best Musical Band, while copping the second place position in the King of the Road category.

Preparing the Pepperpot Magazine for what was in store, moments before the start of their performances, June Annie Reid, the excited mother of the Ann’s Grove band leader, Otis Reid, declared: “What we have for you is the best, simply the best! We’ll be doing nine steps in the masquerade and our performers include even the very young,” she said.

And living up to expectations, the masqueraders put on a fantastic show, featuring nine of 12 steps namely: The Flounce, expertly delivered by kids as young as five and seven years old. Other steps include: Bam-Bam Sally; Lady going to Market; Mad Cow; Side to Side; Breast Plate; Shovel; Chucku-Chucku, Circle; Elleo Toto; Long Lady; Stilt; the Drummers; and Style off – the art form which demonstrates how the money collector (dancing all the while) picks up tips or donations of cash which would have fallen onto the ground.
Meanwhile, specialists in Mash; Queh Queh; Soire and Lumbay music was ‘Saxe De Brothers Band’ and ‘DemVillage Guyana’ heading a 75-strong contingent of masquerade revellers hailing from Belladrum, including Plantation Profit/Rising Sun; Number 28 and Golden Fleece.

The band features Lumbay music created by two groups – a contingent each from Guyana and New Jersey.
The New York vocalist is Carl Fraser, while Michael Fraser of El Dorado Village is the local director who keeps the young talented members motivated and mobilised. He generally oversees the operations of the band.

The elder Fraser said that at the centre of all that the band does, is the passionate interest in trying to get the young people to revive and take pride in their culture, amongst which is the masquerade as an art form.