Really, I do think that there were forty-five parties to hit in a row to mark the 45th anniversary of Guyana attaining its Republican status and joining the commonwealth of Nations. No its not our Independence celebration, but let’s face it (my opinion) it is celebrated more than our Independence is. So why is this? you are probably thinking, ok so what’s the difference, and those of you who would have learned about it in primary school now boxing your brains to differentiate the exact reason.
Well on 23rd February 1970, Guyana was able to have its own head of state (albeit ceremonial), as prior to this, we were ruled by the British Monarchy (Queen Elizabeth II). In 1966 when Guyana gained its Independence, there was an agreement in the Guyana Independence Act of 1966, where the Ceremonial head of state of Guyana would be the Monarch (of Course the Queen cant be all over at once, so there was an appointed Governor-General in country as her representative.), while a Prime Minister was granted to rule the country. This went on until a few years later, the Constitution of 1970 came into being. Although in 1966 after gaining Independence we had our national symbols such as flag, pledge, anthem, flower, animal etc), the complete transition did not take full effect until 1970, when we were allowed to choose our own “ceremonial President”, while the powers were still vested in the Prime Minister. And so the late Mr Arthur Chung became Guyana’s first President (note I did not say executive as the powers were still vested in the Prime Minister, that situation changed ten years later however). It took a lot of hard work for this process to come to fruition and after such ‘hard work’, naturally a celebration is in order.
Hence the Birth of Mashramani (the most colourful celebration in Guyana where everyone comes on the street and celebrate either in a band or as a spectator on the road), or rather I should say Mashir-I-mehi, the original Arawak word meaning a celebration after hard cooperative work. This is a tradition that was practiced by the Indigenous peoples of Guyana for centuries. After they would have worked hard in hunting or cutting a field to plant their food, they would come together, cook, eat, drink, dance and celebrate their accomplishment, not as an individual but as a community. Unity in hard work.
Hence I want to dedicate this first Mash piece to the Indigenous Band that Mash up de place (pun intended) on 23rd Feb, 2015. P.s they were totally awesome, loved it! Am I being a little bias? maybe, but after seeing the beauty of this contingent you would be too.
I am going to be sharing photos from a super talented photographer friend of mine, Fidal Bassier of 55 Photography, and also some from my personal collection.
The band hit the road under the theme ‘Celebrating life, celebrating our culture”, this band saw a Piai Man and Medicine Woman leading the contingent, followed by the Music truck, then the King of the Band which was a ‘Bushmaster snake” the Queen of the Band, a Cock- of the rock bird and colourfully clad revelers representing the beautiful Macaw completed the band.
Let’s start with the Piai Man & Medicine Woman
Medicine woman of the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs Mash Band- Photo Credit: Fidal Bassier, designer of costume: Trevor Alfred
Photo 2: Another Fidal Bassier Photo showing both Piai Man and medicine woman.
Photo 3: Piai man (check the shack shack/maracas out) – Photo: Alexi La, Designer of Costume: Trevor Alfred.
Photo 4: Leading the band – Photo: Alexi La
Photo 5: Back view of the beautifully created head dress- Photo: Alexi La.
Photo 6: Working those costumes man- Photo Credit: Alexi La
Are you beginning to see why I think this band was totally awesome and mash up de place. Seriously, there were so many parties to mark this occasion that I lost count. There are also a number of organized annual events to mark this celebration which highlights the rich cultural heritage of Guyana, which I will touch at another time.
Come back again I got more for you as Guyana celebrates its 45th Anniversary as a Republic.
alexi larose 