I was most lucky to be visiting this colourful village where residents buzzed about and frisked around in harmonic union. Their festive bubble of conversation laced with cheery bursts of laughter and lovable giggles.

As I stood in the well paved access streets taking in the tropical beauty of the land I truly marvelled at the alluring ambience and the pleasing spectacle created by the many colourful houses, shops and roadside food stalls.
I was in the village of Crane on the West Coast Demerara, just over ten miles from Georgetown, nestled between the equally impressive locations of New Road to the east and Harlem to the west.
This village, according to residents, has a population of over three hundred residents, and is inhabited by sizeable percentages of East Indians, Negroes and to a lesser extent Amerindians and mixed races.

The Journey
As the minibus ploughed its way amongst heavy morning traffic along the West Demerara Public Road, I gulped in great jets of fresh country breeze and smiled lazily as a green blur of foliage slipped by and idly grazing animals looked up.
In every village we passed during our journey there was the appealing and pleasant spectacle of residents rushing about on daily errands. In the roadside shops there were semi-large gatherings ensuring that they accessed their daily kitchen supplies, while young men were either liming by the roadside on chatting joyously at roadside taxi bases that seemed to be a highpoint in West Demerara.

While the bus ride was a refreshing treat and a nice getaway from my always busy schedule, it was rudely interrupted with a few unpleasant moments as our ‘speed crazy bus driver’ dashed in and out of traffic, honking his horns at pedestrians, and other drivers who would respond to his brazen intrusion with loud obscenities.

Such Beauty
This village for sure did feature almost majestic buildings, a few impressive shops, a few hangout bars. But what it may top the list with is its quiet existence, fuelled by the humility and charm of its residents and its somewhat dazzling beauty and simplicity.
The minute I stepped into the village I was swept up in a whirlpool of lush green foliage, surrounded by startling tropical ‘flower plant species’ thriving triumphantly in years where cozy, colourful cottage houses lent a special ‘countryside aura’ to the location.
I almost swooned in delight and amazement as I passed a few yards where various flower plants bloomed in wild array filling the yard spaces with the striking hues and shades associated with the Caribbean.

Sheep and cattle grazed lazily in spaces, seemingly savoring their afternoon meals with relish, assured that there was much to serve around for a long time to come.
In some areas cattle was sipping luxuriously from drains overflowing with crystal clear water from the torrential downpours.
In some yards young children dashed about playing marbles and hop-scotch, while on street corner elderly men stood chatting, opening their mouths and throwing back their heads as they bellowed their mirth over jovial jokes.

A Little ‘chit-chat’ with Eesidents
I was welcomed there with hugs and smiles and residents were ready to engage me in pleasant conversation.
My first stop was at the home of 22 year-old Pamela Adams a cattle farmer who was actually spearheading the rearing of cattle owned by a ‘joint family arrangement.’ This contented soul explained that while some villagers do not enjoy the ‘finer things of life’ they were contented to live in humble happiness enjoying the best life had to offer.

The young mother of one related that the village was an ideal location for those that desired relaxation and the comfort of loving relatives and friends.
“I wouldn’t trade this village for nowhere else and I truly enjoy living here. Everyone live as one here and we learn to work out petty differences and live as one big family. In this village one can be assured of the security and affections of many relatives and friends, and as such this existing factor makes it a village practically anyone would love to dwell in.”
Being a young girl who makes hygiene a priority she was also burning her garbage, a route she preferred to take despite the fact that garbage trucks frequently traverse the village.
Adams however noted that she was somewhat concerned about the state of a few drains in the village which have become overgrown with vegetation and can lead to flooding should the rains continue.
Forty one year-old Seegobin Persaud was all smiles when I stopped to chat with him as he was enjoying the afternoon breeze on the verandah of the house belonging to his daughter-in-law where he is living.

He explained that life in the village was good and pleasant despite the fact that the village did not possess a proper playfield which he said would be quite a treat for the many sports oriented youths in the village.
“Bai dis village really nice and comfahtable, and real nice. Me really ah enjoy livin hea and me nah want guh nowhea else. Ah mean awe dese nah get everything we need like some atha village but ah we ah live good hea stil. Awe ah get clean wata fuh drink, good electricity, but we really need some street lights fuh dem dark areas at nights. Me really like dis place fuh live in bai….
‘Gobin’ as he prefers to be called is a rice farmer for over fifteen years now and depends on the produce from his farm on the outskirts of the village to fend for his family of four.
He cultivates a few bananas, limited cash crops, and would sell it on a wholesale basis to buyers from Parika and Georgetown who would in turn retail the items to persons from various villages.
“Bass me ah duh dis wuk hea fuh ovah fifteen years and sometime it ah pay me and sometime me ah loose tuh. De price fuh cash craps does guh up or down according tuh de demand. When prices low we does really suffah as farmaz”

‘Gobin’ explained that for six days per week he would leave his home around 07:00 hours to tend to his cultivations. He would toil there all day with his young helpers before returning to the village around 17:00 hours to rest for the next day of work. He has to use from his small earnings from the farm to purchase household supplies and fertilisers for the crops.
Some residents are calling on the relevant authorities to build a proper playfield in the village for youths since the village is the home to some very talented up-coming cricketers and footballers. While this may be so, a few mothers lamented that the boys are not able to maximise or develop their sporting skills since there are not proper facilities there to make this possible.

Crane of Years Gone By
Today Crane is a striking fusion of colourful little cottages, posh impressive structures, just a few businesses and of course a peaceful ambience.
Just in case you are wondering what the village was like unto ‘donkey years ago,’ 74-year-old (camera shy) Josephine Schultz who has lived there all her life was more than ready to tell with an almost girlish gleam in his eyes.
She took us back to the days when she was a little starry eyed girl chasing after lizards and pond flies.
“I barn and grow up in this village and ah neva left it fuh guh live nowhere else. In me time as a lil gyal if the village had ten house he had nuff… The whole place was full ah bush and plenty fruit trees and some yuh still ah see hea today. All we could ah see was nuff bush, tall trees and big wide open fields. We nah bin get no shap and dem thing dah. We had to travel far fuh get grocery and good drinking watah. Most people used tuh bile de watah fram de trencehs and use it fuh drink and to cook food. We nah had no street lights and de place use d to be suh‘pitch black’ at night time…”
She explained that as time went by persons descended on the location and soon began to purchase plots of land for building purposes. Hence today the village is one of the more pleasant locations on the westside.
Although the village is still caught in the grips of continual development it still holds its almost majestic aura of simplicity that is further accentuated by the serene demeanour of residents who live in great harmony.
Today residents are employed as farmers, a few as carpenters and masons, while a large number are employed as taxi and minibus drivers taking persons to their desirable locations.
Sarsattie Singh, a somewhat shy housewife spoke to us briefly amidst shy glances and may a blushing, protesting louldly: “Oh me lawd…. Nah duh dah…”, when we attempted to snap her photo.
She explained that while she remained at home with her three year–old daughter, her husband, ‘Pertab’ was out six days per week, trying to earn a living as a hire car driver.

She noted however that while his profession can be tedious and very competitive at times, it however brings in a sizeable income that somehow manages to take care of their needs in the home.
“Everybady does do either wan jab or anotha in Crane. Because everybody have to survive somehow or the otha. Me husband does go out there everyday fuh mek ends meet, and some days he does comeback with almost nothing because is plenty taxi deh out deh. But we does be thankful and try fuh mek ends meet regardless ah de situation”.
According to Mrs. Singh who has been residing in the village for over twenty five years, the village is indeed a very beautiful and peaceful location where residents live in harmony and great camaraderie.

Entertainment
This village does not have many avenues for any vibrant form of entertainment but that does not seem to bother residents since they can hop into a ‘short-drop car’ and travel to Vreed-en-Hoop and other nearby neighbouring villages and have a blast on weekends.
Others are quite comfortable with enjoying liquor and music at Sase Hangout Bar, Fishy Sports Bar, or the Sheritan Bar.
The elderly folks in most cases are contented to purchase their alcohol and drink it in the confines of their homes as they watch television programmes or listen to ‘oldies’ via music sets.
The youths however prefer to enjoy the many concept parties hosted at the Aracari Resort in Versailles, or at the Inner Circle Bar at Vreed-en Hoop. Some even travel as far as Parika from time to time or would enjoy ‘chilling’ by one of the many hangout bars that can be found alongside the Parika Public Road. They eagerly anticipate the massive live shows and parties that are customarily hosted by various promoters at the Parika Community Centre Ground.

Employment
Villagers depend almost entirely on their ‘tradesman occupations’ as they would put it over.
Their partial dependence on agricultural produce is evident from the rice fields that are visible on the outskirts of the village and the kitchen gardens that can be found at some homes. Even as we drove around the village our tummies rumbled in anticipation at the appetizing aromas of either deep fried or stewed fresh vegetables that bubbled on stoves and ‘cackling firesides.’
Some persons rear poultry which provide eggs and meat for consumption whilst a few strived on the rearing and sale of their very healthy cattle.
At many homes, families were relaxing in their verandahs or enjoying spicy midday meals consisting of either meat or fish and fresh vegetables from their own kitchen gardens. Some persons apparently preferred to relax in the comfort of their homes, as opposed to others who preferred to frisk about in the streets.
The village has undergone just a few minor changes over the years and this comes in the form of the many new houses that have sprung up overtime. Today the pastures are rapidly filling up with new buildings, most of which are owned by Afro and Indo Guyanese, who are continuously taking up residence in the village.

Peaceful People
All seemed to be well in this village and this fact was affirmed by the peaceful solitude of housewives and daughters. The husbands seemed to be missing in most cases, but investigations revealed that they were out on their various occupations.
Villagers certainly seemed not too bothered about entertainment and would listen to music from their homes, or wait for the customary birthday and wedding celebrations. Just a few of the more ‘shine dudes’ as they call themselves, would hook up with their colleagues from elsewhere to enjoy hectic partying most times
What struck me distinctly was that residents were not the complaining type and they certainly did not make a big fuss and uproar over the few problems that were afflicting sections of the community.

Village Culture and Religion
The culture in Crane to some extent somewhat resembles that of the Indian immigrants who crossed the Atlantic Ocean over 150 years ago. But this is also beautifully infused with the striking features created by the culture of the Negroes and other races that reside there as well

The culture according to a few village elites is very similar to that of the rest of the British Caribbean, but according to the locals, it has an East Indian flair.
The Indo-Guyanese, Afro-Guyanese, Amerindians and mixed races brought their foods, traditions, religion and customs with them. Things are changing as time transcends but still the contributions of a few Chinese made created a difference too.
The religious beliefs of the people have gone through a major transformation as well. Even though the composition of the population has remained the same for quite a while, the religious beliefs have changed with time. Regardless of religious conviction, every holiday, social or religious, is celebrated and respected. Many of the customs that are objective and foster public life are commonly organised by community leaders at home and abroad.
Many of the original religious customs and traditions that have been retained have been modified by the ages. For example, few East Indian weddings are ever complete without the ceremonial rubbing of the dye; an old Indian wedding custom that is accepted among every religion. African weddings are not always done in the traditional African custom but bears much resemblance to the way they were conducted in olden times. Holidays like Christmas and Diwali are examples of occasions when the entire community celebrates together in a congenial integration of faiths.

Conclusion
I urge you readers; take a trip to this intriguing village. Mingle and get entangled in the harmonically laced tentacles of the people. Get swept up in their cheery laughter, festive moods and great camaraderie.
Give yourself a treat and enjoy the mysteries of the beautiful village of Crane, where the love “cup” is overflowing.

(By Alex Wayne)