By Deodat Persaud
Imagine for a few moments, living for 102 years, how would you spend your days? Tough to imagine? What about living it?
Some pray to the Almighty for longevity for many reasons; perhaps to experience all there is to relish on this planet. But some live simply to praise and worship God.
Mataji Sukhdaia Bhuali, also known as Sumintree Mahabir – said to be the oldest resident in the East Canje community – is such a person. Popularly known in the village as “Moonsee Nani”, this 102-year-old devotee of 86 East Canefield Settlement proudly credits God as the sole reason for her being alive today.
She insists that her remaining days must be dedicated in service to God. This of course is taken literally since she is present at almost all religious Hindu functions in the community. She is noted for her exceptional punctuality at religious functions and for worship at mandirs, the latter to which she always walks.
Her trademark of greeting is unique and brings a sense of conviviality when she says “Ram Ram”, and uses her hands to gently rub the receiver’s face and utters, “Oowwebaab, how u a do?” It is like the feeling you experience when someone in a divine and esteemed position touches you.
The numerous tragedies she overcame during her life have not shadowed the ever present human spark of love that prevails in her.
Even though her birth certificate record states her date of birth as December 30, 1910, her relatives are maintaining that she is much older. It was explained by the relatives of Bhuali that both her parents came from India and arrived at Plantation Highbury. They later settled in Mara- an agricultural village 25 miles from New Amsterdam. Given the difficulties prevailing in those times, accessibility to a registry office was seemingly impossible.
It was after about 5 years, when her family migrated from Mara, the registration of her birth was possible. Her relatives insist that this lapse caused a grave error- the incorrect recording of her date of birth. If her relatives’ claims are true, Bhuali would be celebrating 107 years of existence this month – ranking her as one of the oldest citizens in Guyana.
Despite her age, Bhuali is a moderately fast individual who enjoys dancing, singing, chatting, performing basic chores such as washing and cleaning, and visiting neighbours. She is always willing to share words of advice to the younger generation, often mixing her conversation with English and Hindi.
To the amusement of many, she continues to fold her legs in padmasana position at religious functions. She is ever ready to offer guidance and even assist in puja (prayers) preparations. What is noteworthy is that she is always alert during a puja in the event the priest requires additional ingredients.
Her physical appearance makes her quite conspicuous. She can be spotted from a distance with her brisk walking, curved back posture due to age, and neat rumal or head kerchief. Another, distinctive mark of Moonsie Nani is her gownah or tattoo on her hand, signifying her family’s promise to her suitor for marriage.
Her marriage union ended in 1970 when her husband died. She then moved from the village, New Dam (modern day backlands of Albion) to Canefield to live with her relatives, since she has no children of her own.
This centenarian, a former labourer at the Rose Hall Estate, does not compromise her diet for age. It is amazing to watch her eating “seven curry” in the evening without complaint. She occasionally eats fish and meat, but enjoys her vegetables and supplement tonics. She boasts a body free from diabetes and hypertension.
The residents in her community consider her presence and company as a blessing and joy. “Nani can gyaff, she likes being around people,” her granddaughter-in-law, with whom she resides, said.
When asked how she was able to live so long, Bhuali jokingly said, “Beta, me deh hay too long. Me beg dem (God) fo tek me now, me live enuff, and me want meet me ancestors them now.”
A meeting with Bhuali and you will learn that happiness in life can be found through service to God. Her life shows that man must use time to seek God and serve humanity. (Article first published in Horizons 2013)
