Guyanese artist, puppeteer and arts lecturer Michael Khan, also known as ‘Ole Man Pappie’, was recently awarded notable certificates by the Guyana Cultural Association and the state of New York for his significant contribution in preserving Guyana’s cultural heritage.
In an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, the artist noted that the Guyana Cultural Association Folk Festival Award (GCA) ceremony, is an annual event in Brooklyn, NY, on Aug 28, 2013, presented awards acknowledging individuals for their work in preserving and promoting Guyanese culture and heritage.
The award Khan received from GCA was in recognition of his creativity, outstanding work and contribution to the revival of oral traditions, folk tales, myths and legends; presenting Guyanese oral traditions through puppetry, song, dance and dramatic story telling and propagating cultural legends and customs to school age audiences.
Additionally, he received a City Council Citation from the city of New York which described him as an “outstanding citizen, one which is worthy of the esteem of both community and the great city of New York.”
Khan mentioned the Guyanese folk characters Ole’ Man Pappie and Janie Gyal played a very integral part in early village life. He added that those living on the low coastal plain from Crabwood Creek to Essequibo, had interactions with both village characters, especially Ole Man Pappie when the children would taunt him with the rhyme, “Ole Man Pappie teef fowl egg, Go in de shop and buy Jill bread.”
Also, some may recall Ramjohn Holder’s song, “Janie Gyal”. Janie Gyal is a village character who considers herself the village beauty queen and herbalist. Janie Gyal, with the help of Ole Man Pappie, was always looking for a husband from village to village but never found one that suited her taste. The women in the villages would try to keep their husbands away from Janie Gyal as much as possible and would tell her, “Lang, lang time Janie Gyal, Awe nah guh backdam, Cum leh we guh backdam, Janie gyal, cum leh we go back dam.”
The research on these two village characters came about with the Inter-American Development Bank cultural grant, of which Khan is a recipient and earned his study leave at the University of Guyana.
The artist wanted to revive these characters to encourage younger generations to learn about their Guyanese heritage and build appreciation for their rich culture.
“This was unexpected and I felt like I didn’t deserve to be awarded since what I’m doing comes from my heart, especially where children are involved. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to share the folk tales and toys we grew up playing with, and that of our ancestors. Guyana’s tangible and intangible cultural heritage is indeed dying and I am committed to share our rich diverse culture with the children and people of Guyana and the world at large,” Khan remarked on receiving the awards.
At the GCA award ceremony in NY, Khan disclosed that Ole Man Pappie and Janie Gyal, played by his assistant Natasha Azeez, were the most featured village characters at the Guyana Folk Festival. They were also in charge of the children’s village.
“We took to New York traditional folk toys and games such as a wooden scooter, rollers made of empty milk cans and the ones with the covers nailed to a stick, spinners, which were also made using the cover of the carnation milk can, and telephones made out of cans. Also, we took rice bags that we as children used to sleep on; nowadays we have therapeutic mattresses. We also featured artefacts such as the cane cutters’ water bag, cutlass holder and much more. We plaited rubber bands and made a ‘Chinese jumping rope’. The adults had fun with this one,” Khan recalled.
In addition, Khan said that he took a coconut bat, lucky seeds and buck beads. The children had fun making hand bands, necklaces and earrings. These activities gave parents an opportunity to relive their childhood memories of making chains and playing ‘gam’ with the ‘kuru’ seeds used as marbles.
Some of the Guyanese parents, Khan noted, who treasured their childhood memories, were able to share these with their children and grandchildren.
“One man showed us the scar on his foot he got from his small days while he was trying to ride a scooter. It was very emotional as we all shared so many good memories of a good Guyanese childhood life. Claire Ann Goring, Cultural Director of GCA, commented that she was captivated with the response of the Guyanese adults living abroad who still remember how to make and use the traditional toys. Similar views were shared from other members of the association about the Children’s Village and how well it was received,” Khan disclosed.
Apart from playing the traditional games, dramatic storytelling of Guyanese myths, tales and legends such as Brer Anansi, Balgobin, De Baccoo, Moongazer, Ole Higue were told to the attentive audience comprising parents and children, with gestures of, “Yeah, I remember that” or “My grandmother used to tell me that.”
Khan pointed out that in celebration of Amerindian Heritage Month he held “Amerindian Tales and Legends of Guyana Part II” at the Walter Roth Museum. Also, children from the Tiger Bay area enjoyed dramatic storytelling, side walk drawing and painting miniature petroglyphs reflecting the ones inside the national museum.
“We would like to express our gratitude to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport for their kind support, especially Dr James Rose who has remained committed to our cause of taking our rich diverse culture and folklore across Guyana,” Khan said gratefully.
From November 28 to December 10, 2013, Khan will be at ‘GIMISTORY’ in the Cayman Island. He is ecstatic that his character, Ole Man Pappie, is getting popular throughout the Caribbean.
“I will be sharing the stage with the legendary Guyanese Dave Martins, Henry Muttoo and many other renowned folk singers and storytellers. I will be visiting nine schools in the Cayman Island telling stories through the use of puppetry, imagery and art making. Also, the University of Guyana marks its 50th anniversary this year, and plans are on stream to present “Dark Night Story Night”, an enactment of stories told on a moonless night (dark night). Additionally, a child art exhibition entitled “Visionary eyes of the young III” and a textile art mural for the Education Lecture Theatre at UG are also planned. For Mashramani 2014 Ole Man Pappie will be visiting schools sharing folklore stores and will also make appearances in the gardens and villages. In addition, Ole Man Pappie will be having motivational talks swith students of third, fourth and fifth forms on career opportunities and the preservation of Guyanese folklore,” he declared.
Since 2001, GCA has awarded leading artists and cultural enablers for their contributions to the Guyanese society. The 2013 Festival and Award Ceremony marked the 12th anniversary of the founding of GCA. They have recognised a range of talented people across Guyana and its diaspora whose accomplishments are in diverse fields such as in arts, education and community service, and as cultural enablers.
Those who receive awards are selected by a committee that evaluates each nomination considering attributes in the GCA published criteria that incorporate originality, scope, impact/influence, integration, pioneering spirit, challenges and achievements. The finalists represent exemplary models of Guyana’s cultural mosaic.
