“ALTHOUGH the masquerade band has been a significant feature in society throughout the years, that art-form has lost its impact and authenticity because many who participated (in its expression) are more interested in soliciting cash than providing genuine fun and entertainment for spectators.

“Another factor that destroyed the masquerade art-form altogether is the lack of related authorities to put maximum monetary investments towards its development.”

Adrian Waldron, past manager of Guyana’s once popular champion masquerade band, ‘Joker is Wild’, told the Chronicle by telephone last Sunday that frustrations encountered while heading his group forced him to give up what he loved best, and migrate to Trinidad recently in search of a better profession.

Waldron said he may continue this art-form in Trinidad, but only if it receives the desired recognition and support in the twin-island republic.

Contending that it was the lack of adequate sponsorship which eventually led to the breakup of his group and his eventual migration, Waldron said the masquerade is probably the only form of music and dance to have originated in Guyana, and that it is widely believed that the genre is closely associated to the Yoruba and Ibo traditions of Nigeria.

Peeved as well by what he terms “the paltry sums of money” the government expends on the masquerade in spite of the devotion shown by its practitioners, Waldron said: “This art form is part of our culture, and has been here for centuries now, so to speak. The Government puts aside much larger sums for Calypso and many other presentations, and seems to want to give just about anything to us, the masqueraders.”

Waldrons is convinced that the Government needs to radically increase the cash prizes and other incentives if the masquerade tradition is to be preserved as an art form. This, he said, will also persuade participants not to “give up in frustration.” Because of the size of some groups, the money ‘earned’ was far too inadequate to be satisfactorily distributed among participants. This naturally bred intense frustration and contempt among band members.

Waldron said too that the blatant disrespect and discourtesies shown masquerades by commuters on the streets, especially at Mashramani and Christmastime, have also helped to negatively impact the zeal of many talented masqueraders.

In order to help foster a greater appreciation of this art-form among Guyanese, the Guyana Cultural Association of New York Inc., in association with the Department of Culture of the Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sport, is scheduled to host a Symposium titled, ‘Masquerade Lives’, on December 13 and 14 during Guyana Folk Festival 2012 in New York, USA.
The specific aim of this activity is to contribute to public education and appreciation of the history and direction of the masquerade in Guyana.

Masquerade, as an art-form, has recently been in decline, and this can be attributed to the fact that the few masquerade bands that take to the streets during the Christmas season and the celebration of Mashramani are considered and treated as nuisances.

The mission of the 10th annual symposium is to collaborate with Guyana’s Ministry of Culture and other Guyanese institutions to create a space for public education and examination of the deep heritage associated with Guyana’s masquerade traditions, especially its origins, history, international connections, and aesthetic dimensions (costume, dance, music, craft, and performance).

The symposium also aspires to contribute to a strategy that would rehabilitate and promote the tradition of masquerade dancing.

Waldron holds the view that the downward spiral of the dance form is because the older folks are giving up masquerade dancing. He said the relative ministries need to provide personnel to train masquerade flouncers, so that the art-form can return to the pinnacle of popularity it once occupied in bygone years.

According to Ms. Linda Griffith, Director of the Central Masquerade Committee, in light of  Waldron’s contention, the body will meet with leaders of masquerade groups countrywide to discuss the way forward.
She said any decision concerning masqueraders will have to be taken at a committee level, and that issues coming out of the meetings with the leaders will then be forwarded to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and the Mash Secretariat for discussions towards arriving at a solution.

Several efforts to reach Culture Minister Dr Frank Anthony or his representative, Dr. James Rose, proved futile.

Masquerade dancing is a choreographed activity involving a series of steps made by musicians and flouncers bearing the name Mother Sally, or Long Lady, Bam Bam Sally, Monkey Man, The Stilt Walkers/Dancers and the Mad Cow.

Flouncers are usually the main attraction of the band, as they dance and acrobatically pick up coins or other monetary rewards thrown their way by onlookers.