THIS new generation needs to be told that Christmas and the season were not celebrated the same way today as it was a few decades ago. There were not all of the niceties that exist today-the fancy decorations, designer clothing, unlimited food and drinks, foreign products, etc. We had a simple Christmas but it was peaceful and enjoyable. People got along well. There were no animosity and ethnic tensions. There was a lot of caring and sharing among people. No one went to bed hungry for the season as people looked out for another .

There was a lot of food and merry making. There were family get together and people had a hearty time. And often the men were seen drinking in the streets or at their homes and in bars but for the most part well behaved. People embraced and exchanged cards and gifts. People were excited to receive cards or radio greetings from overseas. Traditional music (local calypso, chatney, soca, carols, Christmas songs, Bollywood songs were blasted throughout neighborhoods especially in the rural areas.

No Christmas was without masquerade bands (musicians with mouth organ, a flute and drums) — men dressed in skirts with live tempo music — which would go street to street and house to house to dance and receive donations. The young, including myself, had a terrific time performing for audiences and the extra money came in handy to purchase goodies. The youths looked forward for massala dishes, dal-puri and pachounie and the several delicacies and local drinks. Getting bara and other goodies was quite a task because the ingredients, including flour, to make these goodies were banned from entering the country and if found became a criminal act that resulted in stiff fines. Accompanying these delicious meals were home-made ice-cream and fresh fruits (apples, pears, grapes) and dried dates from the temperate countries. For some reason, people associate these fruits with the season and the youths would look forward for a taste of the delicious red apple or grapes. But during the 1970s, imported fruits and nuts were banned.

On Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year Day after lunch, people would gather around their radios to listen to greetings from relatives overseas. It was quite an excitement to hear the name of one’s family announced over the radio. There was no TV and phone communication was virtually inaccessible.

In spite of the many limitations, it was a good old time celebrating the season in with peace, tranquility, love and respect for one another-quite unlike what we observe today with high incidences of criminality and prejudice.
VISHNU BISRAM