By Lakhram Bhagirat
Pongavanum Munsammy or Auntie Chalma as she is lovingly known was the oldest surviving worker of the Leonora Sugar Estate. On November 03, 2019, at the age of 92 Auntie Chalma passed away.
In April of 2018, Sunday Times Magazine published Auntie Chalma’s story. In her memory, we share that story once more:
Pongavanum Munsammy or Auntie Chalma as she is lovingly known is a 92 year old former estate worker, who even in her old age, enjoys an active life and is dependent on no one. Auntie Chalma came into the spotlight a few years ago when she was honoured as the oldest surviving worker of the Leonora Sugar Estate and since then, she has enjoyed national recognition.
Born on February 17, 1927 to indentured immigrants Andikan and Chinganie at Leonora Pasture, West Coast Demerara, Auntie Chalma remembers growing up in a logie with her two siblings and their parents. When the Sunday Magazine caught up with Auntie Chalma at her Lot 21 Leonora Pasture home, she was sitting on the bridge, over the small gutter, overlooking the road and “taking breeze”.
At 91, most elderly people would complain about constant aches, pains and lack of mobility but that is not the case with Auntie Chalma; she is still able to move briskly, tend to her flower garden and make meals for herself. She lives alone and despite her daughter, Golin Singh, living in the same yard Auntie Chalma insists on doing everything for herself, as long as she is able to.
Chatting with Auntie Chalma with our backs to the setting sun and faces caressed by the soft Atlantic breeze, she related how different it was while growing up in the early 1900s. Taking me back to a different era, she beautifully explained how her father and mother were hardworking and respected people within the Indian community and how she and her siblings fought internal battles to prove their how hardworking they were.
Auntie Chalma explained that because of her old age she is unable to hear properly and urged me to speak louder. She began sharing her story even without my prompting.
She explained that while growing up, there was the unmatched level of camaraderie among everyone within the then tiny village of Leonora. “When me bin a lil gyal when anybody got dead here nobody does go wuk. Them does stay home and take care of the dead and same thing with wedding but today everybody ah do dem own thing and nah talk to mattie (one another),” she said
Struggles
Auntie Chalma’s life, like most people in the early 1900s, was categorized by constant struggles. At 12 years old, during the Great Depression following the First World War, life became so tough that her parents began looking for a suitor for her. It was then she was introduced to the only man she ever loved Munsammy called Tambie. Mere months after they were married and embarked on a new chapter and moved Cane Grove on the East Coast of Demerara.
Tragedy would force Auntie Chalma and Tambie to move back to Leonora after their first born mysteriously died and they were unable to cope. When they returned they set up their life once again and she then birthed six children and now lives to see four generations.
Taking us back to her earlier life, Auntie Chalma says she worked hard to provide for her children. Golin explains that her mother worked hard and they were able to buy cattle but as life was getting better for them, their life took an unexpected turn.
Tambie became an alcoholic and began selling out their tools and other thing just to get money for him to buy alcohol. He would soon pass away and Auntie Chalma worked tirelessly to provide for her children.
“Dem days lang time bin hard, everybody bin a wuk and plant and suh not like now.”
Golin explains that her mother enjoys the life she currently lives but adds that she is slowly losing some of the memories she had.
Auntie Chalma begins everyday by waking up at the crack of dawn, picks flowers from her bountiful garden, showers and goes to her altar where she thanks god for every moment she gets. She enjoys practicing Hinduism and goes to Mandir every Sunday morning.
Now Auntie Chalma just takes everyday as it comes and enjoys every moment.
“Ayo young people got to live together more and nah be selfish.”
