Overcoming abuse, embracing solitude, and inspiring a community

IN the community of Strathspey lives an amazing woman with a phenomenal story. Strathspey on the East Coast of Demerara is a unique community with a beautiful mix of people. Like so many places the Pepperpot Magazine has visited, their stories are uniquely inspiring and show the true extent of the Guyanese spirit.

Seventy-one-year-old Indrawattie Sooknanan is perhaps one of the most jovial and hospitable persons this magazine has ever encountered. She spoke about the development of the community as well as her own personal growth. The mother of four has overcome trying times in the village as well as at home. She told us what it meant to work to support her children and survive an abusive partner, and, most importantly, how she is coping today.

Indra, as she is more popularly known, is one of the few people who can consider themselves Strathspey born and bred. Her family was among the first in the community where Indra and her three siblings grew up. Strathspey, more than 60 years ago, was very different from today’s community. But Indra expressed that she loved the community through all its changes.

She explained that the community is far more developed today, but she would also like to see the community spirit the village once had. “I would say the community changed for the good. Long ago, the village did not have anything. We did not have things like roads like we do now. We had some small houses, but now people get their lot, they make their house and they have light and water. So we have a good life in here,” she said.

Although she considers Strathspey her home, Indra explained that she moved to Vigilance after getting married. The newlyweds lived in the village of Vigilance for a few years before returning to Strathspey. As she stated, “I was born and grew up in Strathspey, and then I got married. But I have lived here all my life. I got married, went to Vigilance for a little bit, and then I came back here. I got married young and when my mother and father died, I moved back here to Strathspey.”

Indra says this was perhaps among the happier times in her life. The mother of three was married to an abusive man for more about a decade and a half. She described this time as difficult and taxing, ‘taking a lot out of her.’ She stated, “I lived with my husband for around 14 to 15 years. He was a drunkard; he used to drink and then beat me.” Throughout those years, she said she thought about leaving but felt she could not for many reasons, including her children.

The values and beliefs of the era also played a role in her staying with her husband for as long as she had. As she explained, almost 50 years ago, people had very different ideas about when and why they should stay together. “I stayed because long ago, people would tell you to stay. My mother and mother-in-law would tell me I picked him so I have to stay with him. I had to live my life for them. He was not like that all the time; we used to live good,” she said.

Her husband later died. Indra says that his death was the beginning of a new era. She does not share the opinions that the older generation did. She explained that if she knew anyone in a situation like hers, she would encourage them to leave. Since his passing almost 20 years ago, Indra has grasped a new sense of independence and now lives alone. She says she prefers it that way. “I do not work anymore. I used to sell at the big market for a long time, six to seven years. My husband used to work at sea; he was a fisherman,” she said.

She stated, “I like living by myself; I am accustomed to it by now. Most days, my children come around; they cook for me. I just live by myself. But when new people come, I like talking to them. Like when my grandchildren come around, I feel so happy talking to them.” Her life now revolves around her family, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She added, “I have three sons and one daughter. They are all grown up; they live all around Guyana, and when they get the time, they come and see me.”

Now, she appreciates the village she grew up in. “Strathspey is a nice community. Everybody here lives good. I can’t think of any complaints about this community,” she said. Indra stated that her children often ask her if she is happy living on her own, especially at her age. Indra says she would not want to have it any other way. “My husband died almost thirty years ago. Since then, I have lived by myself. Sometimes I visit my children and grandchild and that makes me happy. I just look after my children and live by myself. I like it like that.”