–how the COVID-19 pandemic affected ‘Mash in Guyana’

IT has been roughly two years since Guyanese and people the world over started contending with the effects of the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic, and, while it is customary, on this day, for persons here to line the streets and revel to the sweet sounds of soca music and steel pan, under the tropical sun, in celebration of Mashramani, the conditions are not accommodating.

Unfortunately, Guyanese will be spending yet another year reflecting on the memories of previous ‘Mash’ days.

On this much-anticipated day, the streets of Georgetown would have been filled with a kaleidoscope of colours and revelers gyrating to the sounds of soca music, but the entertainment this year is limited to electronic media and controlled outdoor activities.

Under normal circumstances, Guyanese of every age, race, religion and creed would have “stepped out” in their costumes or their ‘Sunday best’ to ‘mash’ down the road and celebrate Guyana’s 52nd Republic anniversary.

Not only would there have been eating and drinking, but also a burst of talent, as the festival allows designers, makeup artists, dancers, choreographers, masqueraders, calypsonians, chutney artistes and soca artistes to showcase their skills. Local vendors would also miss out on an opportunity to cash in on the demands of thirsty, hungry and sometimes tired ‘feters.’

Although this year there will be no float parade, Mashramani is still Guyana’s greatest national party and street picnic. It is not only an event for revelry, but one that brings together friends and families. Mashramani has truly become a national event that breathes life into the country, and Guyanese at home and abroad look forward to participating in its celebrations.

THE VERY FIRST ‘MASH’
Mashramani is an Amerindian word which means “celebration after co-operative work.” In 1966, when Guyana became an independent nation, the first-ever Mashramani celebration was held in the mining town of Linden and was dubbed the Independence Carnival. However, in 1970, when Guyana became a republic, a newly formed committee later changed the name to Mashramani.

The unique name-change only added to the excitement for residents as the first ‘Mash’ on February 23, 1970 is said to have pulled one of the largest crowds in Linden. The event saw thousands of outsiders swarming the mining town to have a taste of the experience.

After realising how much attention Mashramani was getting, a government official had several discussions with the Jaycees Republican Committee, the committee which was formed to organise ‘Mash’ in Linden, to take the event to the capital city, Georgetown. Approval was then granted by the then President, the late Forbes Burnham for Mashramani to be a national event for the republic celebration. The approval saw ‘Mash’ activities rotated among Linden, Berbice and Georgetown.

THE COVID-19 EXPERIENCE
Despite not being able to revel in the streets, Guyanese were still able to make the best of this year’s Mashramani celebrations, with the hosting of the Miss Mash Pageant, The Soca, Chutney and Calyspo monarchs and a few other events that were hosted under strict COVID-19 guidelines.
And while the country has returned to some level of normalcy with the official lifting of the national curfew, persons are still advised to adopt a responsible behaviour when socialising outside of their homes.