AS I was writing this letter, children drawn from 16 schools across Britain were preparing to perform Saturday at an event called ‘World Party in the Park’, and a piece that would have been done was  entitled ‘Hear Auntie Bess’. Needless to say, these are British children. Now this, for me, is bitter-sweet. ‘Sweet’ because (a) they’re taught by one of our own, Guyanese flautist Keith Waithe, and (b) Guyanese culture is alive, albeit far from home.
Then again, home is where the heart is, and I guess that’s what is inspiring Mr. Waithe.
And ‘Bitter,’ because Guyanese children rarely hear and a majority may not even know this and many of our folksongs. How ironic! Children who never knew Guyana existed are now, thanks to Mr. Waithe, exposed to our culture.
Our children can recite verbatim what the ‘Rap’ and ‘Dancehall’ musicians have to say, but sadly, we have failed to expose them to what is necessary to make them rounded, proud people of this soil.
When are we going to engage the Keith Waithes of the Diaspora, together with those who are locally based to help us resuscitate the Guyanese culture?
We see emphasis being placed on things Afro and Indo and Amerindian, etc., and quite rightly so. Now let’s hear our children once again with things GUYANESE.
Let’s recapture our folk and national songs, and restore our pride as a nation and, yet still, while we have sons and daughters who are able and willing to take us along this path.
How about the month of May being declared ‘Guyana Month’?
Let’s hear it for things Guyanese. Hats off to you Keith and the Macusi Players for keeping the Guyanese spirit alive!
For more heartening news, I encourage you to visit online at: www.keithwaithe.com.