I HAVE always liked Mashramani. I don’t know why, but I just know that I like Mash. Not the verb; the noun. Maybe it is the magic of the colours, the music and the rhythms, combined with the happy, carefree attitude of the revellers on the parade displaying their costume. Or the food. Yes, the food. Lots of combinations: Roti and curry and cook-up and chowmein; chicken, fish and pork; or it may be a combination of all. But whatever. like most Guyanese, I just love Mash.

My earliest memories of Mashramani celebrations were in the 70s; and as I became older, I came to recognise that it would have been shortly after it became a national event. But it was not like we know it today; I can’t say it was better or worse, only that it has changed with time.
Living at that time in the village of Plaisance, on the East Coast Demerara, just about six miles from the capital city, it was not often that children were taken to Georgetown. Maybe for Christmas, but then that was not necessary, as the village had its own market, and just about anything that could have been bought in Georgetown was available in the village.
And transportation was not as readily available as it is today. The trains had stopped running by then, and except for the Ministry of Transport buses, which ran an unreliable hourly service, persons had to depend mostly on the few hire cars available to make that journey.
But at Mash-time, everyone went to Georgetown. The night of February 22 was always a big night, not because of the Flag Raising Ceremony at the National Park but because we all went to town. Buses were sent to the villages to take people to the National Park for the event. You had to remember the number posted on the bus or you could end up in the wrong village and as I said earlier, transportation was not readily available so if you missed your bus you would have to walk many a miles.
THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE
Then there were the people! Thousands of people walking up to Thomas Lands! In the stands at the Park, and the military parade; always spectacular! And the displays done by the Police Mounted and Canine branches and the Guyana Defence Force were fantastic.
That was the time, also, that you saw people you would only hear about on the radio (this was before the era of television): The radio announcers and Government Ministers and officials. For a young lad from a rural community, it was exciting, like being transported to a different world. But that was only the prelude to the big day: MASH DAY.

There was never enough public transportation to travel to the city on regular days, so when Mash came and everyone was heading to the city, it became even more difficult. I remember one year travelling to see the ‘Float Parade’ on a horse cart owned by a villager. The journey took us along what used to be the Railway Line, which was as interesting as the Float Parade itself. The highlight of that trip was being able to see the area where the Guyanese movie, “If Wishes were Horses”, was filmed.
BANDS ONE THOUSAND-STRONG
The Parades were a spectacle to remember. The GUYMINE and Joint Services floats with one thousand members, plus floats and King and Queen of the Band were always a sight to see, as were the steel pans on the trucks. This was before the time of the big music sets.
The Float Parade has always been the climax of the Mashramani celebrations. In those days, there was the Mash Calypso Caravan. That is where my love for, and understanding of, calypso music was born. The caravans would visit the various villages and perform at schools prior to the competition. I remember meeting a number of the singers during these tours, including Eddy Hooper, Lord Canary and Family Teach. I remember visiting the Hooper’s residence at Melanie Damishana, and hearing the calypsonians and musicians “working out” the music for their songs just before a show.

‘OLE MASH’ CREATIVITY
The hardships of the 80s, even though it delayed the rapid progression of the event, realised a new creativity in Guyane culture. There was the “Ole Mash” costume competition, where only local materials could be used to make the costume. That was eventually stopped. Then the bands participating became very few in number, and people began to lose interest in the Parade.
REBIRTH
It was with the formation of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport following the 1997 General and Regional Elections that there was a rebirth of the events, and persons really began to accept Mash as a truly national festival.
There were workshops held for designers and calypsonians, and the whole organization of the events was redone, including the composition of the Central Mashramani Committee. Lots of work went into redefining the role of the government and the private sector, as it relates to the festival. Sponsorships were sought, and some of the competitions are now fully sponsored and, or managed, by private sector agencies.
When, in 2000, I joined the staff of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport under then Minister Gail Teixeira, I was thrilled to serve on the Central Mashramani Committee, as it renewed my love for the national event.
I remember well the Mash-Day jailbreak on February 23, 2002, when five high-profile prisoners shot and stabbed their way out of the Georgetown jail, and the subsequent crime-wave that that event engendered. But that cannot hinder my love for our national celebration of Mash.
For those who will be in the streets, remember: It is our festival, so ensure you pass on the spirit to the younger generation; plant the seed of our national festival so it will survive long after us.
HAPPY MASHRAMANI 2015!