Masquerader
Guyana Mashramani Celebrations
Written by: A. Felecia Valenzuela
Guyanese are gearing up to celebrate perhaps one of the most colourful national festivals, Mashramani. Often abbreviated to simply “Mash”, it’s an annual festival that celebrates Guyana becoming a Republic nation on February 23rd 1970.
Already, Masqueraders can be seen in the streets performing acrobatic dance routines, paying homage to Guyana’s African heritage, as Calypso and chutney music are heard on the local airways.
The word “Mashramani” comes from an Amerindian (Indigenous) language in Guyana which means “celebration after cooperative work”. The celebration is purely traditional with schools taking part in Calypso, Steel Pan, Dance, Poetry, Costume Competitions, Float Parades and Masquerade Bands all competing for big prizes.
Caribbean Entertainment Hub recently attended the Region Four Regional Children’s Mashramani competition, at the National Cultural Centre in Georgetown, Guyana, where there was stiff competition among the various schools.
On February 23rd activities will culminate in the coronation of a King or Queen for 2019. The annual Republic Day also includes a street parade through the capital city Georgetown, with loud melodious tunes of popular Soca and calypso from local artistes, as well as their regional counterparts. This occasion is used by families to spend quality time together and many can be seen flocking to the popular Botanical Gardens and National Park for picnics; commemorating the birth of the Republic with merriment.
In 2016, the Mashramani parade was held on May 26th to mark the 50th anniversary of Guyana’s independence. The success of which birthed the idea of the now annual Guyana Carnival (held in May), but that’s another story.
Be sure to stay tuned to Caribbean Entertainment Hub for more updates on Mashramani celebrations in Guyana.
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