AFTER a hiatus due to the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic, the Mashramani celebrations are back and bigger than ever under the banner: “Mixing and Mashing as One Guyana”.

Each year, since 1970, in the month of February, Guyana has been observing its Republic Anniversary by staging a series of countrywide cultural activities.

These displays, reflecting the nation’s rich, diverse mosaic of cultural expressions, have become the embodiment of what has since been known as MASHRAMANI, an Amerindian word of Arawak origin, which, when translated, means “Celebration after work”.

There is hardly a state, anywhere, that does not have what can be described as a national revelry/celebration of some kind, which represents the sum total of its history, customs and cultural traditions, and cohesiveness.

Virtually every nation celebrates its national life in varied forms of art, music, and cultural expressions that reflect its existence as a people.

For example, Trinidad has its carnival, which is the most significant event on the island’s tourism and cultural calendar; for Barbados, it’s the annual Crop Over or Kadooment festival that celebrates the ending of its local cane harvest; over in Brazil, it’s the gigantic Rio Carnival which dazzles the imagination; while in Canada, it’s Caribana, depicting a potpourri of its Caribbean presence and cultural traditions.

In the United Kingdom, it is the Notting Hill Carnival, celebrating the West Indian experience, but also being able to attract Europeans from other parts of Europe. Over time, it has become Europe’s biggest street carnival.

From a very simple beginning in the mining town of Linden in 1970, when a few representations of working-class life were depicted, accompanied through its streets by Lindeners, Mashramani has evolved through the decades as Guyana’s premier national extravaganza. Markedly, it has grown from strength to strength, and has gradually evolved into a truly Guyanese affair, reflecting the dynamics of Guyanese experience.

Given Guyana’s pluralistic cultural society, and the richness of its diversity, Mashramani is meant to reflect the nation of Guyana; all its peoples and their combined experiences as a people.

Further, it is a national celebration that is representative of this country’s social journey, depicted through the creative arts, culture and the concept of citizenship within the republic in the various costume and band creations, its calypso and chutney art forms, steel pan in the form of Panorama, and even persons decorating their homes and offices for the Mashramani celebration.

Ahead of the main parade, a perfect representation of enthusiasm for this festive time was the thousands of Guyanese who flooded the Everest Cricket Ground last Saturday to savour the grand return of the Children’s Mashramani Costume and Float Parade.

Resplendent in their colourful and creatively put together costumes, children from across all education districts of Guyana proudly represented their schools as they made their way northeast to the Cricket Ground on Carifesta Avenue, all the way from the Parade Ground in downtown Georgetown.

Judging from the widespread participation and interest from persons young and old, there is no doubt that the massive parade on February 23 will be a grand celebration which unites Guyanese from all walks of life.

United in celebration, Guyanese will not hesitate to use music, dance and other fun activities to bring the streets of Georgetown to life.