Category: Features

Families across the country are in preparation mode for the highly anticipated Phagwah/ Holi 2018 festivities. While the occasion is marked by many traditions, this celebration also includes the preparation, and consumption, of traditional foods including; sweet rice, pera, polourie and much more. There are many well established eateries in Guyana which make these delectable goodies for sale and they are quite popular around this time. This would be ideal if you are on the go. However, there are many traditionalists, like myself, who count the days leading up to…

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Our East Indian ancestors came to British Guiana in 1838, bringing with them their culture, customs and religions. Consequently, our ancestors built mandirs and mosques to fulfil congregational worship. Located in Ankerville, Corentyne, Berbice, deep in the canfields, is an ancient mandir (only the top is visible). The Ankerville residents explained that this mandir was built by the first batch of East Indians who came to Guyana. One villager recalled her grandparents told her the British took care of the mandir, cleaning the surroundings and lime-washing the lingam (representation of…

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Holi is a community’s exuberant expression of joy to welcome the warmth of spring. In a refl ection of nature’s abundance, Hindus celebrate with bursts of colour, camaraderie and shared abandon. It begins on Purnima, full moon day, in the Hindu month of Phalguni (February/March) and lasts for as long as 16 days. How does the festival start? Many communities create a central bonfire on the night before Holi, starting with kindling and logs and adding organic debris as they clean up their property. The fire symbolizes the torching of…

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As one of the six ethnic groups, the Chinese community has contributed to an integral part of Guyana’s history. The Chinese who arrived as indentured immigrants to Guyana in 1853 have since made their mark in the medical field, commerce, mining, politics, music and education. For the entire period of 1853 to 1879, a total of 13,541 Chinese landed in Guyana. Engrained neatly in the fabric of the Guyanese Society are contributions by Chinese that include the tasty cuisine that continues to be popular in Guyana, folklore and the language…

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By Chevon Lin Guyana was the first English speaking Caribbean country to establish diplomatic relations with China, in 1972. One year later Guyana opened the doors to its Embassy in the capital city of Beijing. This year, China and Guyana will commemorate the 46th Anniversary of diplomatic relationship, which is considered milestone in the bilateral relationship between the two countries. During this period, the two countries have fostered strengthened and have achieved new accomplishments. China is the second largest trading partner of Latin America and the Caribbean, which is also…

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By Petamber Persaud There are as many ways to celebrate as there are appropriate ways to celebrate. The tenor of Black History Month should be celebrated with books especially with books on the history of places, peoples and events. Starting with books on places, here’s a glimpse of three villages. The History of Victoria Village by William N. Arno, first published in 1966, reprinted by the Guyana Heritage Society 2000. The book, ‘History of Victoria Village’, a slim publication, written by William N. Arno, tells the inspiring story of how…

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Also known as the Spring Festival, the Chinese New Year in pre-modern times signalled to farmers in China to begin preparation for the sowing of their fields. At the Chinese New Year, people traditionally wear red clothes and give children “lucky money” concealed in red envelopes. Red symbolizes fire, which, according to legend, can drive away bad luck. The fireworks that shower the festivities are rooted in a similar ancient custom. Long ago, people in China lit bamboo stalks, believing the crackling flames would frighten evil spirits. In Guyana, many…

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By Chevon Lim There are many reasons why people might start to trace their ancestors. It could be that they are trying to find out something about a grandparent, an interest in history or (most likely) just a curiosity about who their ancestors were and whether they had had inherited any characteristics or skills. For many people, however, it is not until they start working on their family history that they realise just how it can have very positive effects on their lives and how they feel about themselves. Genealogy…

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