–in face of dismayed elders
violence-induced activities force police to halt event

HOPETOWN Village on the West Coast of Berbice has, over the years, become popular for hosting some of the most festive Emancipation soirees anywhere in Guyana; but that reputation took a beating on the evening of Thursday, July 31, when revered and time honoured activities that mark a solemn and reflective occasion were marred by the loutish behaviour of youths who seemed not to have any idea what this signal tradition portends to their future.While the event started quite nicely at around 18:00hrs with the customary ‘Emancipation March’ from Fort Wellington to # 22 Bel Air (Berbice), chaos descended on the Emancipation celebrations from around 21:00hrs when large masses of youths began to converge on the village for the wild jubilation that followed.

Years ago, the actual celebration entailed live African drums and a Congo Live Band, infused with brilliantly attired elders engaging in the traditional African folk dances and songs.

Years ago, this occasion used to put African traditions on show, to the great pride of those old enough to understand and appreciate what Emancipation meant to themselves and to their forefathers.

This year, however, what transpired in Hopetown was nothing more than a massive ‘passa-passa’ street fair that spilled over into open fields and pastures, as thousands of youths from outlying villages gathered to revel in abandon to dance hall selections being blasted from several massive stereo sets.

Nevertheless, a few locations were actually playing the African lullabies and drumming CDs; and to their credit, two nightspots actually celebrated the Emancipation Soiree the way it ought to be done.

Elsewhere, thousands of youths converted themselves into a wild melee, gyrating in abandon in open pastures and inside the compound of the Fort Wellington Primary and Secondary schools, consuming alcohol, using obscenities, and in many cases having petty disagreements that escalated into fights as arguments brewed and tempers flared.

Drivers fumed inside their vehicles as they were made to wait for long periods to get to their destinations, because young revellers had filled the streets to capacity, giving the police an almost impossible task of clearing the roads. Officers were forced to stop the music at some intervals and have DJs appeal to the revellers to clear the roadway.

While some complied with the police request, the streets very quickly became filled again the minute the music was turned back on.

Makeshift bars and beverage vendors set up shop at any and every available space, as they tried to make a fast dollar, adding the proverbial fire to the already intolerable chaos created by half-drunken youths milling around. Many smoked marijuana quite openly, adding to the disequilibrium created by the deafening blasts of numerous stereo sets.

When some unscrupulous characters began to pelt bottles at each other and to spray ‘bass’ as fights broke out, the police on duty had no alternative but to halt the proceedings altogether at sometime before 02:00hrs.

As many left the location, swearing and using obscenities at the action of the police, owners of small shops welcomed them, seeing it as their time to make a fast dollar through the sale of alcoholic beverages to just about anyone.

NOT LIKE BEFORE
We managed to chat with at least three adults, who unanimously declared how very angry they were at the unruly behaviour of the youths attending the event.

Beatrice Semple was livid with anger when she vented her opinion on what should be done to improve the event. “This event is a very traditional African venture, and what I have noticed is that the youths, over the years, have taken over and are turning our soiree into a ‘passa-passa’ showdown!

“Years ago, this event was all about folk songs and dances, but now I am shocked to see what is going on. I think the police should stop all these boom boxes, since these are the factors that are attracting unruly youths to this event, and spoiling our show!” she vehemently declared.

The elderly Danesbrie Thomas was practically besides himself with rage at what transpired on Thursday night. “It’s either the police ban this event altogether or find some way of keeping away these promoters who have changed our soiree into a wild and crazy show!!

“It has now become like the Jamaican street dances, and that is why there is no order at the event! I am so ashamed to see what our soiree has become! The youths are not acknowledging their roots, and are insulting the very significance of our emancipation!” he declared.

A fiery Dorothy Joseph was also on hand to vociferously express her concerns over the manner in which the youths have been marring the event. “This is what de soire gan tuh?! I ashame fuh even believe this!!! This is a shame and disgrace to Berbicians, and also to our African traditions! Our forefathers musse turning in deh graves tonight…! This nansense needs to stap right now!! And the police need to ban all dem big set dem promotas bringing out heah! This is Emancipation, not a dancehall showdown!!!” she managed to say in her anger.

WHO CARES?
Meanwhile, ignoring the call by the police to retreat to their homes, many youths found unlikely nooks and crannies in which to continue revelling and get from just being intoxicated to becoming drunk as the proverbial fish until the break of dawn.

(By Alex Wayne)