HISTORY – Page 8 – Guyana Times International

Who were they?

May 25, 2012January 21, 2013 TIMES INT'L

Little-known Indo Guyanese of pre-independent Guyana Nesbit Chhangur “Guyana’s first singing cowboy” Nesbit Chhangur was born in the early 1930s at Fyrish, Lower Corentyne, Berbice in British Guiana to a musical family – his father sang and played the sitar while his siblings (three brothers and four sisters) played the piano accordion, harmonium, and fiddle; Nesbit played the dantal and loved to sing. He attended Fyrish and Albion primary schools, and by the time he was eight he was performing in school, accompanied by one of his brothers on the…

The journey across the kala pani

May 17, 2012January 21, 2013 TIMES INT'L

Frightful shipwreck of coolies; two hundred and sixty lives lost (From the Friend of India, August 31, 1865) If any other argument were wanted to prove the necessity of the Indian government giving earnest attention to the coolie emigration trade, it is to be found in the tale of horrors with which Calcutta has been occupied during the past week. On Sunday, August 19, the American built ship, Eagle Speed, [with] Captain Brinsden [in command], left Port Canning with 497 coolies for Demerara. Of these, 300 were men, 93 women,…

A history of exclusion and domination

May 17, 2012January 21, 2013 TIMES INT'L

Background We can begin to appreciate the pivotal role of the Police Force – which is today the most visible and ubiquitous symbol of the state – when we consider that this institution typically, has the sole authority to use force against the citizens of a country. The Indians that were brought to Guyana starting in 1838 have a history that is almost coterminous with that of the GPF, which was founded in 1839. Both events were in response to the abolition of slavery in 1834, and just a decade…

An immigrant’s story

May 11, 2012January 21, 2013 TIMES INT'L

“Everyone was poor so we did not even know we were poor. Everyone helped each other. The whole logee was like one family back in the compound in India. What kept us going was that we believed if we worked hard and saved, we could send our children to school and they would not have to work in the backdam” By Anu Dev As we celebrate Indian Arrival Day, it is always a bittersweet time for me. I enjoy the tribute we pay to our ancestors, but there is always…

Georgetown to celebrate 200th birthday

May 4, 2012January 21, 2013 TIMES INT'L

Considered ‘the Venice of the West Indies’ in the 19th century By Dmitri Allicock Georgetown with its canals and traditional houses, was known as the Venice of the West Indies On May 5, 1812 an ordinance was passed to the effect that the town formerly called ‘Stabroek’, with districts extending from La Penitence to the bridges in Kingston and entering upon the road to the military camps, shall be called Georgetown. The city of Georgetown began as a small town in the 18th century. Originally, the capital of the Demerara-Essequibo…

Architect of City Hall, St Mary’s Cathedral

February 17, 2012January 21, 2013 TIMES INT'L

The Very Reverend Ignatius Cory Scoles SJ. Priest, Architect, Missionary, Painter And Writer By Lennox JuLian Hernandez Rev Ignatius Scoles (1834-1896) December 23 this year would be the 125th anniversary of the laying of the foundation stone for City Hall, Georgetown. And July 1, 2014 (just over two years away) would be the 125th anniversary of the official opening of this iconic building in our capital city. One naturally assumes that the relevant authorities have begun preparing for the celebration of these two related events. This first article preceding the…

Guyana’s past presidents

December 15, 2011January 21, 2013 TIMES INT'L

In Guyana, the president is the head of state. However, when the country became independent in 1966 until it became a Republic in 1970, there was no presidential title. Instead, there were first, from 1961 to 1966, two premiers of what was then British Guiana: Cheddi Jagan (1961-1964) and LFS Burnham (1964-1966). Arthur Chung Upon independence, LFS Burnham took the title of prime minister from 1966-1980, when he was installed Oct 6, 1980 as executive president of the country. However, from 1970 to 1980 Arthur Chung was given the ceremonial…

Fort Nassau

June 16, 2011January 21, 2013 TIMES INT'L

Once the capital of the Dutch colony of Berbice, Fort Nassau is now a 17th century ruin of a seat of government, which is now also known as the base from which the famous 1763 rebellion had its origins. Built by Abraham Van Pere, a Dutch merchant, in 1697 on the eastern bank of the Berbice River, and now upstream of New Amsterdam, Fort Nassau was constructed mainly of wood, and surrounded by strong fences made from tall, pointed posts that are called palisades. Today, only the foundations of these…

Celebrating 173 years of Indian Immigration in Guyana

May 6, 2011January 21, 2013 TIMES INT'L

Historical paintings of early Guyana

April 14, 2011January 21, 2013 TIMES INT'L

Paintings of our early history usually depict everyday scenes or the natural environment, and are often the result of writers’ illustrations for their books. Often rarely seen by Guyanese, particularly in Guyana, these paintings serve to provide us with a tantalising glimpse at our dynamic history.