BERBICIANS displayed the high energies of the ancestral spirits at the New Amsterdam State House, during their  Jubilee cultural presentation which was laced with historical reflections,  Tassa and African drumming, folk songs , dances reflective of three ethnic groups, and poetry of songs by the Mexican Mariachi.It was the latter group that forced  Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, and his wife Sita, along with their  three daughters,  to interchangeably leap to their feet to dance to the popular song “La Bamba,” which was made popular in the 70s by the Merry Men.

It was a nostalgic moment for the older folk, who joined in singing with the Spanish group, who made a surprised, yet welcomed visit to the proceedings, which commenced almost two hours after the scheduled 10: 00 hrs start time.
However, the wait was worth it, said an elderly woman, who took her seat at 09: 30 hrs.
“‘I did not want to miss it, as I will not be here for the next fifty years.”.
Another group, the Shanto drummers of the United States of America, made up primarily of Guyanese in the diaspora, also captured the hearts of the crowd as they performed an original piece “Guyana Nice,” with Olivia Tate as the lead singer.
Our indigenous youths celebrated too – in dance – to the song “An Amerindian life is not so easy,” even as they replicated in art form the various tasks they perform daily.
The New Amsterdam Multilateral School Choir, under the directive of Billy La Benette, took the crowd down memory lane as they belted out several folk and patriotic songs including Small Days, Captain Captain, Not a blade a grass  and O Beautiful  Guyana.
An all-female group of dancers from Sandvoort Village, West Canje , took the Congo Nya African drummers  to task,  while the lone Indian dancer from the Port Mourant Secondary School danced to the sound of recorded Indian music.
Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo in his address said the cultural  presentation reminded those present of the energies of the ancestral spirits.
“The best tribute to our ancestors – their hopes and dreams were, to live in a country which one day would be free.
“Sometimes we take our freedom for granted; we do not  think of the sacrifices made.
“Our history has been one with many forces combined to push us forward. Even though politics tend to divide us as a nation, we must be united.”
Reminiscing on past presidents, the Prime Minister noted that, “We made mistakes … but all political parties must be commended for bringing us thus far.
“If we are to move forward, we need all hands on the paddle , whether  red, yellow or green. We must bat, we must bowl, and we must win.”

In  his remarks, Regional Chairman Mr David Armogan observed that the years preceding the Jubilee were a long and difficult road, yet no one can deny that Guyana has become more prosperous now.
Earlier, members of the military and paramilitary along with secondary school students , nurses, members of the Pathfinders of the Seventh-Day Adventist church,  were led by the New Amsterdam Band Corp through the main thoroughfare of New Amsterdam, signalling commencement of the flag-raising ceremony and cultural presentation.
Pupils of primary and nursery schools were not to be left out, as they very early lined the street in their cultural wear, reflective of the disciplined forces. Some waved their Golden Arrowhead, while others mimicked those on the parade.