Mashramani would not be the same without the National Children’s Mashramani Competitions to set the tone in the preceding weeks and, last Friday, the children’s competitions ended on a high note – with the grand road parade finale on Saturday.
The final day of the competition, however, touched on a cross section of issues, everything from child abuse to piracy, and the dramatic poetry and calypso segment left an enlightened audience as the young performers advanced messages for a better Guyana.
Performances ranged from ages five to 14 and all 11 education districts participated, bringing their best to the National Cultural Centre stage.
The Mischievous Guys band accompanied the young calypsonians – still a point to note is that all calypsoes do not have to be sung to the same tune, change things up a bit.
Moving on though, before the end of the day, the audience was thrilled by dramatic recitals of poems with titles including: ‘Ken the Konvict’ by Aurora Secondary; ‘The Mash Spirit’ by Annandale Secondary’; ‘Survive’ by Bush Lot Secondary; ‘No Child left Behind’ by Vryman’s Erven Secondary; ‘Life in the 80’s by New Silver City Secondary; and ‘Through Granny’s Eyes’ by Waramuri Primary.
In Calypso, the older children’s performances included entries under themes such as ‘Save the Children’ by Eccles Primary, ‘We Salary de Bank’ b Berbice High; ‘This is We’ by Mackenzie Primary; ‘Ah don’t have time’ by St. John’s College; ‘Why yo wan to run’ by Santa Rosa Primary; and ‘Make a Brand New Nation’ by North West Secondary.
However, the cream of the crop was, in my view, the younger performers, who introduced their innocence to a stage unaccustomed to it, and coupled that with their individual ingenuity to match the message they promoted.
Tapakuma Lake Primary, Region Two (Pomeroon/ Supenaam), brought a complement of kitchen staff to the stage to share a special recipe in the eight-to-10 calypso category.
“Five pounds of love, three cups of unity mixed with harmony…a little hope and plenty faith for a perfect Guyana,” crooned the youngster.

‘My Recipe’ by Tapakuma Lake Primary
Region Four’s (Demerara/ Mahaica) Peter’s Hall Primary gave good reasons to invest in a better Guyana with their entry ‘Showcasing our culture in Unity’.
The young lady wove her colouful lyrics, captivated the audience and managed to engage them to clap their hands and wave.

Alliah Corlette ‘Showcasing our culture in Unity’

It was indeed stiff competition throughout the day, and Latchmansingh Primary’s Joshua Richmond stepped up his pace and wooed the audience with his charm and charisma – decked elegantly in white from head to toe.
Adding a good voice and equally good lyrics, the youngster, from Region Five (Mahaica/ Berbice) questioned the corruption and dishonesty that damage what is being built, which damages the Guyana many dream off – a better place for all.

Quite the charmer, Joshua Richmond questions why

Ensuring that there is some hope, Wales Primary, Region Three (West Demerara/ Essequibo Islands), offered a ‘Prayer for the Youth’.
The performer, Tumaini Fredericks, pointed out the vast differences in the days old and now, and the fact that the songs back then centered on things like ‘Amazing Grace’, and now it is more around the lines of ‘Gunshots and whatnots’.
The youngster not only offered a prayer for the youth, but appealed for change.
Tumaini Fredericks and a prayer for the youth

On a lighter note, Region Seven’s (Cuyuni/ Mazaruni) St. Anthony’s Primary brought a more energetic feature to the stage ,‘Mash Up’ and the colourful Travanah Colinet left the crowd abuzz after her solo.

Region Seven mashing things up

Chairperson Travis Chase was sure to spare some time to laud the support of the media, in particular the Guyana Chronicle.
Moving on, the dramatic displays in the five-to-seven poetry category were even more scintillating as the tots ranged from shy performers, which captured the hearts of the audience, to bolder acts, which also managed to secure a place for themselves.
From Region One (Barima/ Waini), Santa Rosa Primary bemoaned the plight of fishermen who have to deal with the brutality of pirates.

‘Fishing fuh a living’ is not as easy as we think, or so this performer informs us.

Teachers’ plights were also featured and the fact that teachers have to deal with indiscipline, disrespect and automatic promotions was touched on display by Region Three’s La Retraite Primary.
The performer Onifa Pedro appealed to her peers to be better behaved and “ease the teacher’s plight.”

Teacher’s plight by Onifa Pedro
Making another appeal was Blandel Patterson from 8th May Primary, Region Two, who stressed the need for discrimination of all kinds to stop.
Join hands to build a better nation was her message to the audience.

Stop the discrimination

From Region Six (East Berbice/ Corentyne), Number 36 Primary’s Anastacia Leitch reminded the audience of the rich history of Guyana and the pride modern day Guyanese should take in a struggle that has come a long way.
The entry ‘My Ancestors’ reminded of a struggle that was no “two cents thing.”

Don’t forget your history this youngster reminds

All in all, the messages were clear, and a poignant reminder of what Guyana has to offer and the need for us all to be proud Guyanese as we celebrate Mashramani, ‘Showcasing our culture, sustaining our pride’.