Mashramani celebrations take place in February, the shortest month of the year. That’s only one of the remarkable things that makes these 28 days memorable. This month has special markers in history. It’s the birthday of a number of very famous people who made sterling contributions to the human population. There is Charles Dickens, Rosa Lee Parks, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and Charles Darwin among others. The word February comes from the Latin word ‘februare’ which means “to purify” or “to make clean.” This is an apt description of Guyanese mash celebrations. For one month, pure merriment and clean fun permeates our festivities. And we are not alone.
In Venice (Italy) and Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)AND T&T, they too enjoy a carnival. In the USA its Mardi Gras time. All these festivities take place shortly before the 40 days of fasting during lent. Our celebration after hard work will be followed by a peaceful period of reflection and soberness. This is the spiritual calm after a cultural storm.
Mashramani 2015 announced its presence when the ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport rolled out its impressive National calendar of Events for this special celebration. Berbice, Anna Regina, Linden, Bartica, Parika and the capital city were pampered with an array of fabulous events. Steel Pan, Calypso, Chutney, Soca, Mash Pagents and Parades, A Literary Street Fair, Flag Raising, Masquerade, Road March, Republic Lectures, Costume and Float Parade and the icing on the cake being the Presentation Ceremony were all weaved into a month of brilliant creativity and delightful entertainment.
The schools Mash activities saw our young people exhibiting tremendous talent and limitless energy as they participated in Drama, Poetry, Costume Display, Calypso, Masquerade, Physical Display and Dance. This attracted performances from all ten administrative regions. They brought the Cultural Centre and other regional venues to life with scintillating performances. The children’s official participation ended with a Grand Parade which thrilled thousands of spectators despite the threat of rain.
The Chutney Competition did not disappoint. Nineteen gifted performers vied for the coveted monarchy. When the curtains came down Young Bill Rogers emerged the National Chutney King for the second time. He had to survive strong challenges from five time Chutney King Haresh Singh, Princess Halima, Bunty Singh and a couple of overseas contestants from Canada and the USA among others.
The Carib Soca Monarch Competition was scorching hot this season. Riveting performances ignited Berbice and threaten to set the National Park alight with the likes of Jomo Primo, Lil Red, Jorey and Bones Man. One very talented and extremely exhausted entertainer will take home $1.5m and the crown.
Republic Bank continued its long standing commitment to steel pan music in Guyana. This corporate sponsor contributed $2.8m for this year’s Steel Band competition. Since their involvement in the art form, steel band performances have moved from the mediocre to excellent. One notable feature is the emergence and dominance of the Buxton Pride Steel Band. For the second year they have seized the title of Best Band at the School’s Steel band Competition. This young group continues to amaze a very appreciative audience.
The Adult calypso Competition is a fierce battle between twenty gifted singers. Among them is the multi talented Young Bill Rogers. Backed by the Mingles Sound Machine this art form has been slowly improving. It still has a very long way to go.
On February the 20th, there will be a Literary Street Fair on Main Street. It will be a first and promises great things for the future of this event. The big day will see the Flag Raising Ceremony- a very solemn occasion. This will be followed by the Costume and Float Parade which will showcase the artistic brilliance of local designers. It promises to be a day of spectacular and breath-taking creations.
A few days after Mash, there will be a National Exhibition followed by Mash celebrations in Berbice and Linden. On the 5th of march, all winners of Mash Competitions will receive their reward at a Presentation Ceremony which marks the official conclusion of Mash 2015.
Guyanese children will sing, dance and prance to soca songs, the elderly will be pampered with a Concert especially for them. The youth will willingly expend lots of energy mashing down the road and attending shows featuring popular Jamaican and Guyanese entertainers. Guyanese will once again take a break from hard work , production and progress and let their hair down. If you have bald head then let it shine.
“We coming down! We coming down!”
HAPPY MASHRAMANI GUYANA!!
(By Neil Primus)
