Dear Editor
FIRST of all, I must wish all Hindus throughout Guyana, and those within the Diaspora – joyous Phagwah greetings.

Holi, a traditional Hindu festival which celebrates the beginning of spring as well as the triumph of good over evil, is best known around the world [as a time] for eating sweetmeats, singing of chowtals, beating of drums and the powder that revellers throw on each other, leaving their faces coloured beyond recognition by the end of the day.
Here in Guyana, Pagwah is one such festival which unites all Guyanese despite their ethnic, religious or political differences and points clearly to appreciation and acceptance across the ethnic divide of ethno-cultural festivals.

Editor, the world’s experience in such countries has mostly been examples of intolerance which has resulted in bloody strife and genocide. The brutal assault on the Rohingyas in Myanmar (Burma), by the Buddhist segment, causing mass exodus of the Rohingya people, is a most recent example.

For all the tensions that have emanated from the Guyanese experience, we do still find a cultural common ground despite our ethno-cultural diversity.
Phagwah or Holi observances in Guyana has become one of several occasions when especially, both Afro and Indo Guyanese have fun with water, powder, and abeer, among other colourful displays of celebration.

As a Guyanese who would have lived virtually all his life in good old GT, I hasten to say that Guyana is indeed a very unique place, despite its multi-cultural experience.
Anyone wanting to understand this day of togetherness between the country’s two major race groups should visit the southern ward of Albouystown.
From Calendar Street to Hogg Street–the main James Street thoroughfare–is transformed into a fun-filled scene of both groups, of all ages, having a great time. I am certain that it will be repeated today, as it has been for the decades past.

Such scenes are also replicated in places such as Alexander Village, another community of mixed ethnicities; and even in the Ruimveldt areas, that although predominantly afro-Guyanese, do join the fun. Throughout both coastal divides, this colourful scene of cultural fun in diversity takes place in a spontaneous manner as many passersby get a good dousing with water or abeer.

This particular festival, the manner of its observance in Guyana, always open a tantalizing window, showing what it is like when the nation’s two principal ethnicities unify in fun and play. I often wonder whether this example cannot start becoming a national practice in other matters pertaining to the nation’s onward well-being. Have we tried enough?
Happy Phagwah to all!
Regards
Earl Hamilton