THE music is loud, pulsating and compelling. The kittle, steel and fife are in time with the drum. Monkey Man, Bum Man, Mother Sally, Boom-Boom Sally and the flouncers are all moving, gyrating, jumping and dancing to the melodious tune.But look again! This is a large band; fourteen-man strong. This is ‘The Village Ram’ band from Essequibo, Onderneeming Road.

At age 50, Takieen Singh is a thin, energetic East Indian man with a burning passion for masquerade. He began his career in this art form at age six, and has never stopped.

‘The Village Ram’ has represented Essequibo, Region 2, nine times. This band has played and performed in Wakenaam, Berbice, Linden, Bartica, Leguan, Mahaicony, the National Park; and at funerals, queh-quehs and in schools.

Singh remarked that many people today have lost their appreciation for this particular expression of art. “People now lock their gates, chase you away, or even throw water on you,” he said.

“Back then, people would welcome you into their homes. They would give you money, drinks, and some other goodies,” Singh said. He claims that masquerade is a spiritual thing. “The drums speak to me. It speaks to many people. Since I was very small, whenever I heard a band passing, I had to go out. Some people have to dance when they hear the drums.

“I love masquerades. I raised my family with income from the bands. I started in bands with big men, 50-60 years old. I was nine or ten. I remember and am inspired by men like Vibert Ralph, Puddie, Errol ‘Cow Man’, Frankie ‘Boom Man’, Buddy Thomas, Sejebore, Son-a-Mine, Sparrow and the Nortons,” he disclosed.

Attire is very important to performance. Each member has to be properly dressed. For example, flouncers have a special breast-plate that makes their performance unique. Christmas is a very special time for bands; they spread seasonal cheer, and members depend on income earned then for the holidays.

Usually, there is a regional completion in Essequibo, but this has not happened for the past two years. The competition is usually privately sponsored, and the winners are chosen to represent the region at the national level. Some bands import skilled performers from Georgetown, and even though this gives the regional competition a higher standard, it does not help the art form, because these players leave after winning, and the bands in Essequibo are poorer for this.

“Practice starts in early December,” Singh said. “Costumes are expensive, and bands often have to invest close to $100,000 to put out a good band. Even though masquerade is a Guyanese culture, bands have to get permission to perform here in Essequibo.”

Takeen feels that there is urgent need for someone or a group to represent masqueraders. “Our band would usually go from village to village, house to house, spreading cheer and performing for folks. I sometimes play the fife and do an authentic ‘mad cow’. The ‘mad cow’ in our band really chases down people, sometimes even up trees. Once a youth was chase up a tree and he jumped in fright. Lucky, he was not injured. The ‘mad cow’ has stopped climbing,” he said.

Singh feels there is the risk of the art dying if effort is not made to revitalize it and pass it on to the next generation. “Some of my children are in the band because they have to carry on the tradition,” he said.

There are dozens of small bands in Essequibo, many hastily pulled together only for economic benefits. Some lack the art and skills necessary to successfully practice this art form, and often rely on recorded music to sustain their performance. Christmas and Boxing Day find them traversing the coast.

Schools get involved in the schools’ Annual Costume and Float Parade. All regions are involved in this, and participants receive training and guidance from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport. This happens only because of Mashramani, so the art for is not kept alive all year around.

According to a reliable expert on masquerade bands, the art form has to be ongoing in order to survive. You must have year-around activities. It must not only be about Mashramani and Christmas. Children should be introduced to it, and encouraged to participate from a tender age. It has to be appealing to them in order for them to buy in and carry on the rich tradition of masquerading in bands
Written By Neil Primus