Episode 15 – From ‘cow-mouths’ to ‘kitchen island’
AS they sipped coffee waiting for the sun to rise in the east, many aspects of life back in the seventies were discussed. Ryan realised that many things which are now taken for granted were considered luxuries then. He just had an example in the use of tea bags. He now understands how a small product which is used to flavour a cup of tea could have been so significant then. As they spoke, Uncle Benji reminded him about the numerous “bushes” that were used for tea making.

Ryan, having not experienced such flavoured tea, found the thought a bit repulsive. Uncle Benji was quick in his response in pointing out some of the nutritional benefits that were derived from the “bushes” including “carila leaf” and “neem”. Ryan could only think of bruises, cuts, scratches and insect bites being derived. Uncle Benji blurted “fertiliser pickney”. Ryan smiled as he finished his cup of coffee. As he proceeded to the kitchen sink, Uncle Benji added that even the ceramic tea-cup he was about to wash, was a luxury then.

He went on to narrate how the cups then were made of enamel and were always flinted. He explained the plate-rack which was mounted on the wall. It was basically a piece of wood about three-four feet long and about four inches wide that served as a shelf. Two side wood brackets were added with a wooden strip running parallel to and about six inches above the shelf. From the side, the wooden strip was seen to extend beyond the edge of the shelf. This allowed for the washed flinted enamel plates to lean forward as it rested on the strip.

The plates were stacked side by side and on top each other giving a pyramid-like appearance. The flinted cups were hung on nails half-way driven along the edge of the shelf. That was the “wares” cupboard back then.

One look revealed the quantity of eating and drinking utensils a family possessed. Uncle Benji pointed out that today modern kitchens are “cupboard-oriented”. Lots of emphasis is placed on the construction of kitchens with each having an “island” and more than adequate cabinet space. This is very evident in Ryan’s posh kitchen.

For Uncle Benji, the only islands he knew about were those in the Essequibo River and given how the yards flooded when it rained, the house took on a similar appearance. As he mentioned house and water, Uncle Benji pointed out to his nephew that almost every home then had a “cow-mouth”. Ryan’s bewilderment soon disappeared when Uncle Benji explained that it wasn’t literally the mouth of a cow. Many houses had a part that appeared to be protruding from the main structure. Often this protrusion was about five feet in width and about the same in length.

Ryna noted that he has seen some of the older houses with such protrusions. He admitted that he never give much thought of its use. The “cow-mouth” basically housed the “fireside”, sometimes a small plate-rack or even the “receiver” which today is known as the sink. In many instances, the “receiver” had no pipes attached for the waste to be channelled to a desirable disposal spot. Often the “receiver” itself had many holes in addition to the main one and the water just dropped to the ground. With this, many homes had a permanent soggy area which was very unhygienic. This area had to be passed on the way to the “latrine”.

Today, the combination of such odours would be unbearable to many even though then it was a part of life.

Ryan was seemingly becoming frustrated as Uncle Benji continued to narrate stories of the past; frustrated not at his Uncle, but for being unable to fully understand life back then.

He wondered how children managed under such conditions. He couldn’t fathom himself or his peers in such situations. The more his Uncle spoke, his frustration exacerbated. Eventually, it felt more like sadness; sadness for those who were forced into such situations due to political mismanagement.

While he was cognisant that life in itself presents situations of disparity including rich and poor, from his Uncle’s stories, Ryan couldn’t help agreeing that the political machinery then was a tool of oppression against the masses. Growing up in a free and democratic Guyana, he wondered why the people were made to suffer then and deprived of the basic necessities of life. As they continued to engage each other in conversation, the sun rose and morning had dawned. For a while they seemed oblivious of the golden sunshine that enveloped the area.

With every passing discussion, Ryan became more aware how things he take for granted could have brought monumental changes in the lives of people back then. A few jumped out at him; electricity, potable water, telephones, clothes, foam mattress, gas stoves and refrigerators. Cell phones and computers were also in his thoughts. He knows these are basic necessities. His Uncle had already pointed out the tea cups and the kitchen with islands which are featured in today’s homes. Uncle Benji continued his narration despite wanting to leave for a drive to the country side.

He mentioned the use of the “sill” which was used to grind massala when cooking curry. Sensing that the term seemed strange to his nephew, he didn’t hesitate to explain. It was a piece of special flat brick, a square foot being the average size, on which ingredients could be ground with the use of a cylindrical piece of brick called the “massala brick”.

This was about five to eight inches in length and about three inches in diameter. The choice of bricks ensured that there was no noticeable erosion over time. However, he added that some did develop a crater in the centre. He noted that some doctors were of the opinion that “gall stones” resulted from eating food which ingredients were grounded on the “sill”.

Uncle Benji added that the finished grounded product was then scooped up by hand after which the curry was “chunkayed”.  Ryan tried to picture someone standing in the “cow-mouth” and crushing thyme, pepper and other ingredients on the “sill”. For him it sounded laborious and even unhealthy. His eyes glanced upon the blender and food mixer that were on the kitchen counter. He immediately realised what a difference they would have made then. Less labour, more hygienic in a spacious modern kitchen. As he looked around his cooking area, he became more and more aware of what his Uncle is trying to tell him. It was simple, dis time nah lang time! Guyana has moved leaps and bounds.

To be continued…