A village defying division

COMMUNITIES form in countless ways. A few small families settle, tribes find a place to call home, and people with a common goal often come together. But rarely are they deliberately brought together. The community of Strathspey is unique in breaking this mould. It is among the oldest and largest villages along Guyana’s East Coast stretch. Strathspey is a community shaped and developed with inclusivity and equality in mind. Today, it stands as one of the most diverse places in the country, and the equality with which it was built continues to thrive.

More than 25 years ago, men and women seeking to own land drew random numbers from a bag to gain a house lot in the then-new village of Strathspey. This community offered hundreds a new beginning in a place still close to the capital city. However, the village’s development may not have been as random as it seemed. A mixed group of men and women were issued land in the village, still without lights or water at the time.

This was not a challenge for young and prospective homeowners like Randolph Blair. The seventy-five-year-old came from Buxton to Strathspey more than 24 years ago. Talking to the Pepperpot Magazine at his home, he explained, “What they did at the time was that people nearest to the village who wanted land were given it. The nearest point that people wanted land, they got land when it was shared. That’s how we have so many people here from Buxton and surrounding villages.”

Two and a half decades ago, Strathspey looked drastically different than it does today. As Randolph shared, initially, it was home to dense trees. Like many other villages in Guyana, Strathspey was without electricity or water. To persons seeking a home of their own, this did not faze them, but Strathspey was still on the cusp of its development.

Randolph stated, “When I came here in 2000, there were no streets, no water, and no lights. It was fifty percent occupied before basic infrastructure came in.” Since adding basic infrastructure, the village has seen countless other changes and developments, bringing it up to par with its more popular surrounding villages like Vigilance, Buxton, and Bladen Hall. One aspect of the community remains the same, however: its diversity.

Fifty, forty, or thirty years ago, communities across the nation could be classified as ‘Black villages’ or ‘Indian communities’. Today, finding these ‘one-race’ communities has become a much harder task and an even rarer occurrence. Strathspey is one of the earliest villages to play an integral role in this from its very inception.

Explaining the process and its impact, Randolph shared, “What happened at the time was that the village and land were shared fifty-fifty, Indians and Blacks. So, it is not a black community. We would put our hand in the bag and whatever number you pulled, that was your house lot.”

The deliberate action by the community leaders at the time has had a long-lasting impact on the dynamics and relationships between residents. As Randolph explained, this action almost three decades ago has crafted unique relationships within the community. “I think it was a conscious decision to bring the races together and make sure that there was no cry of racism. It was balanced. To me, that was good. I do not know of any other community that was structured on that principle.” He further added, “I think today, people in the community have a mutual understanding and a good relationship.”

Love of one’s community is a sentiment echoed by the residents of Strathspey. Randolph exemplifies community spirit. The 75-year-old has been chairman of the Neighbourhood Democratic Council for 16 years. As he stated, “In the time I was chairman, I saw the village get roads, lights, and water.”

Shedding some light on life in the community, Randolph stated that Strathspey is what many would call a ‘kitchen garden’ community. “We do not do farming on a large scale here. Most people farm in their little kitchen garden. But most of the people go out to work. Some people work in construction, some in civil service, and some in the private and public sector.”

Randolph, an avid gardener himself, shared that gardening has declined with the community’s growth. As he explained, “The whole village now is houses. This is just a part of Strathspey called ‘Area G’. This area was developed later on. This area was a reserve.” He further added, “In Strathspey, in ‘Area G’, we have about 200 houses, so maybe two to three hundred people in this area alone.”

Strathspey is a compact, diverse, and welcoming community. In many ways, the residents of this still-growing community play an integral role in the village’s hidden beauty. Persons like Randolph Blair have served their community in countless ways. As he stated, “I served the NDC from the year 2000 to 2016, and that NDC is from Buxton to Foulis. I did it to give back. I felt comfortable knowing I could assist the people of the village and help in the development of the community. I did it to give back to the community in a way.” This brimming sense of community is truly what shapes the village of Strathspey.