CHRISTMAS has lost its true meaning; today, it’s all about spending money and outdoing neighbours. Some people even borrow money to spend for the season, creating more of a competition to outdo their neighbours for possession of material things rather than cultivating an atmosphere of joy and peace.This was the sentiment expressed by 66-year-old Ms. Cheryl Ramnarayan, a former teacher, current mother and grandmother, who shared her memories of celebrating Christmas in Essequibo.

“I had two brothers and one sister. In my family, everyone went to church on Christmas. Every toy was cared for; after Christmas they were taken back and packed away for the next year. Each child had one toy. Girls got dolls and boys got trucks and cars. My dad didn’t like the idea of guns.

“Christmas cleaning and decorating was a tradition in my home. All the children looked forward to it, and my mother was the boss, so she assigned duties for everyone. Dad took care of the food.

“In preparation for Christmas, the house was broken up at the end of November each year. This was a sure sign that Christmas was fast approaching. All of the furniture was turned to face the wall and packed into a corner. Drapes were removed, and the house was stripped bare. This made it look grand when it was arranged and decorated on Christmas Eve.

“New clothes were sewn for each child. There were no jeans allowed back then. Each Christmas, mom and dad would prepared small bags with sweets, nuts, cakes and wall nuts, and we would take these around to our neighbours. We received bags also.

“Christmas cards were very popular then. Children did not send cards, but helped prepare cards from our family to relatives and friends in Guyana and overseas. Every Christmas we would revive cards from overseas and a small piece.

“Decorations were simple: balloons and old Christmas cards. We enjoyed blowing up the balloons and hanging them around the house. We even had fun when a few popped accidentally. We had new curtains, but never had a Christmas tree.

“Christmas meals consisted of curried creole chicken and dhall and rice. I loved the chicken liver, and so did my dad. I would often sneak off with a few pieces before he got to it, but he always knew who the culprit was. Each child would get a slice of cake and a few biscuits, and one or two toffies. This happened when mom decided it was time. Soft drinks were rare, and only for very special occasions; so were Ovaltine and Milo.

“I loved to help with the preparation of Christmas cake. My favourite activity was mixing the sugar and butter. I was good at this, and was able to benefit from a mouthful or two. Later, I would enjoy licking the bowl clean.

“We never had pepperpot back then. I did not know much about that. We ate bread on Sundays only. There was no alcohol taken in our house, except by friends of my dad. Dad never drank.

“Masquerade bands were very active, and came to every home. All the children were terrified of the different characters in the band: ‘mad cow’, Boom Boom Sally, Mother Sally and the flouncers. They collected money, and had fun frightening the children, who hid under beds and in wardrobes. Today these bands are not very popular, and children are unafraid of them.

“We were never allowed to go to anyone’s home on Christmas Day. That day was reserved for family only. Toys were secretly bought and hidden (locked away) from curious eyes. On Christmas Day, each child received a toy.

“There was a dance held every Boxing Night. The hall was two lots away, and I would sit and watch couples dancing and having fun. One Christmas, when I was nine or ten years old, I decided I was going to the dance. When everyone was asleep, I put on my Sunday clothes, tossed my shoes over the fence and into the heavy bushes of the abandoned lot next to ours, and climbed the fence and went to retrieve them. I could not find them in the dark. I still went down to the dance barefoot.

“A woman asked me what I was doing there, and I told her I just wanted to watch the dancers. She took me home. My father did not share or appreciate my curiosity or adventurous spirit. He gave me a good whipping. I tried again the next year. I tossed the shoes over the fence again. This time it landed in a filthy gutter. You can guess how that ended too.

“One of my fondest memories of Christmas was my grandmother. She owed a rice mill and a grocery shop/ice cream shop. We got lots of stuff from her shop. We helped her to clean house, and she gave us goodies.

“Her floor was made of pitch pine. We had to get down on hands and knees to clean it. Every Saturday, she would call me to clean and scrub. Some Saturdays I hid, but she would send one of her workers for me. She had the biggest dining table I had ever seen. I would lay the table, wash dishes, sweep and clean.

“Grandma had more than one maid. At Christmas, all the grandchildren would head for her house, which was a few lots away. This was except for dad, and if he allowed us to go.
“The only music we heard was on the radio, in church and whenever there was an annual dance. This did not stop us from enjoying the season. Our celebration was centred on friends and family, and on spreading love and joy. The church service on Christmas Eve was always a memorable one, and we could picture Baby Jesus lying in the manger with shepherds, wise men and Mary and Joseph in attendance.

“Christmas in Essequibo is still simple, but memorable to me.

“Merry Christmas everyone!” Ms Ramnarayan said as she finished relating her story. Her eyes misted over, and I could not help but be drawn into this beautiful, rich appreciation of Christmas celebrated in the Cinderella County.
Written By Neil Primus