THE holiday season is upon us again and people are busy making preparations to have a wonderful family celebration whether in Guyana or overseas. Everyone looks forward for the celebration as it is the most enjoyable time of the year. It takes on a secular-like holiday celebrated by all groups of people regardless of faith. The Guyanese Christmas is a unique experience that people look forward to with great expectation and many have made the trek to the homeland from North America to enjoy it, because it is not the same in North America. In New York (NY)there is not that much excitement as in Guyana,
The celebration is etched in the minds of almost everyone who grew up in the country. It is the main reason why many prefer to go “home” to relive the unique experience of the season although the activities associated with Christmas are the same the world over — shopping for new items include, clothing and decoration for the home, gift-giving, feasting, exchanging cards, charity, and listening to music.
Unlike in North America, much time is spent in the preparation for the season decorating the home and the exterior with streamers, large bells made of kite paper, and balloons of all shapes, sizes, and colours. As Christmas day approaches, families prepare food, bread, cakes and other goodies served with traditional home made drinks. Relatives, friends and co-workers are invited for a hearty meal for the season. One does not need an invitation to visit a family for lunch or dinner. It is traditional for families to expect uninvited visitors some of whom may be complete strangers. Depending on their preference, drinks are served and everyone is offered cake and or bread.
Everyone looks forward for black and sponge cake and the music. Carolling was enjoyed by many young people. A couple weeks before Christmas Day, groups of singers, mainly from churches, would go out in the evening singing carols in public places. Christmas was the season of the masquerade bands and special sounds and tastes. There is also a certain smell (curry and massala dishes, the fruit cake, ginger beer, sorrel, mauby, new or redone furniture and new curtains, bed spreads, etc.), and a spirit of friendliness (expressed in smiles, handshakes, hugs and pecks on the cheeks, etc.). The delightful aromatic scent wafts in the air and all the decorations and trimmings brighten up entire neighbourhoods. The season was also a time for new movies and many people go to the cinemas to view hit movies from India or Hollywood. Races are also held.
In the old days, children were led to believe that all the gifts which they received came from Santa Claus. So they prepared stockings and hung them up with their names and promised not to ever again utter curse words and to behave well. When they woke up in the morning, they got gifts.
Radio and the newspapers reflected the Christmas mood. The radio stations played Christmas music beginning around the first day of December.
Some families attend church services on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning. Everyone was in fancy clothes, and the ladies with colourful hats. After church, they enjoyed opening gifts at home and there is a festive atmosphere during which friends visit and share the good things of the season throughout the day and into the next. Xmas was a day of feasting and fun. The holiday season extends over to Boxing Day and continues with more of the same until New Year. In NY, celebrations are restricted to the actual holidays. Although NY has more material objects for the celebration, Guyana’s is more peaceful and people relate to one another with much joy.