Guyana Cultural Association of New York Inc.Newsletter Mar 15, 2012 Volume 2 Issue 3

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MAY PHAGWAH! YOUR LIFE BE AS COLORFUL AS HOLI COLORS! WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH Celebrating Guyanese Women Who Inspire

Guyana Cultural Association of New York Inc. Newsletter Letter from the Editor IN THIS ISSUE WOMEN’S HISTORY PAGE 3: Happy Phagwah PAGE 7: Frank Thomasson passes MONTH PAGE 10: Looking for a Wife As this edition of our newsletter PAGE 12: Memories of a Costume Desgner developed, the media team was PAGE 14: Making of a Bucktop reminded of a subtext to its main PAGE 15: Beware the Ides of March PAGE 16: Bernadette Persaud theme, Celebrating Women. It PAGE 18: Guyana All Girls Steelband is only possible, within the limits PAGE 20-First Female Black Fighter Pilot of this newsletter, to highlight PAGE 22: Hugh Sam PAGE 23: Reaching for the Prize portions of the theme. However, PAGE 24: Fish in Abundance as you read this March issue, do PAGE 26: Back Step Talk remember woman as mother, PAGE 28: Midwives woman as the channel of new March Editor - Juliet Emanuel life. In this season of Lent we try Copy Editors- to examine our lives as we move Edgar Henry & Lear Matthews towards the Crucifixion and Layout and Design by death and the reason for its Ashton Franklin & Claire A. Goring occurrence: life. The festival Contributors: of Phagwah heralds life Peter Halder, Lear Matthews, triumphing over the threat Juliet Emanuel, Claire A. Goring Tangerine Clarke, Edgar Henry of destruction. Vibert Cambridge, Cyril Dabydeen, This issue celebrates woman Rose Braithwaite, Pritha Singh, Yvonne McCallum-Peters within the context of Carl E. Hazlewood intertwining of the CELEBRATING Muriel Glasgow, beginning and the end Photographs and all the glorious Guyanese Tangerine Clarke, madness in between. Bryanmaxx.com Romesh Singh, Pritha Singh Our theme: Women. Women Immigrant News Queens, Our subtext: Life. latestsms.com, crazyfrankenstein.com Welcome to our Who Francis Quamina Farrier Carl E. Hazlewood Emirates 24/7 March, 2012 Inspire Art - “Neighba, Len’ me Yuh Mata” issue Claire Goring Juliet Emanuel GCA Media Team Ave Brewster-Haynes (Chairperson), Juliet Emanuel, Edgar Henry Tangerine Clarke, Lear Matthews, Claire A. Goring, Muriel Glasgow, Ashton Franklin, Margaret Lawrence, Francis Quamina Farrier Please join our Facebook group, Website: www.guyfolkfest.org GCA Secretariat 1368 E.89 Street, Suite 2 Brooklyn, NY 11236 Tel: 718 209 5207

Guyana Cultural Association of New York Inc. Newsletter A RELIGIOUS-CULTURAL FESTIVAL THAT HAS CROSSED ETHNIC BOUNDARIES 3

hagwah arrives with the promise of new life - Spring is the season of rejuvenation and rebirth. The earth discards its winter gloom Pand begins to blossom again. As if to mark this change, Holi flings color into the landscape and invites the celebration of life. It is a time to remember the brightness and splendor of living, a time to spread joy, color and love into the life of our community.

Guyana Cultural Association of New York Inc. Newsletter CLAIMING AND CELEBRATING OUR MULTIPLE HERITAGES 4 HAPPY PHAGWAH! APPRECIATING AND UNDERSTANDING THE DEEPER MEANINGS BEHIND THE SYMBOLISMS OF OUR HOLI-DAYS! NAMASTE! Vibert Cambridge, Ph.D., uyana is blessed with a range of holi- adopted as the Prayer for Guyana’s Parlia- President, days that encourage deep reflection ment: Guyana Cultural Association Gand promote community together- Where the mind is without fear and the of New York, Inc. ness. This month, we celebrate head is held high; Phagwah/Holi. As a people, we all can claim Where knowledge is free; India as a root culture and confidently enjoy the fullness of that heritage. An important Where the world has not been broken up into fragments by narrow domestic wars; step in claiming and celebrating our multi- ple heritages is appreciating and understand- Where words come out ing the deeper meanings behind the symbol- from the depth of truth; isms of our holi-days! Where tireless striving stretches Phagwah or Holi is a multi-dimensional festi- its arms towards perfection; val expressed in color, sweet smells, song, Where the clear stream of reason has not “sweet” meats, and community jollification. lost its way into the dreary desert sand In its original context, it signified faith, good of dead habit; over evil, justice over the autocrat, and the sprouting of new life—Spring. Where the mind is led forward by thee into ever-widening thought and action - Guyanese poet Milton Williams considered Into that heaven of freedom, this “abeer drenched day” as a day when the voices of love come in song that my Father, let my country awake. … ‘felled star apples and sapodillas from So with Abeer, Abrak, sweet their trees” smelling liquids, and delicious The very voice that “ripened the cherries foods, The Guyana Cultural Asso- and gooseberries all around” … ciation of New York, wishes you The day, when he gave back and placed his love on a pedestal “under the cherry tree” a very Happy Phagwah. On the crest of that tree “a red breast (a Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti! Fire-Red) was warbling her song!” It was a sacred sight… He dared not utter a word… for suddenly; it came upon him “like the ruffling of the trees … the very mean- ing of “Phagwah.” Phagwah is a day of love, a day of recognizing and celebrating nature’s potential, and reminding us of our responsibilities for nour- ishing spring’s tender shoots so that they can bloom and blossom and bring forth lus- Milton Williams. “Oh! Prahalad Dedicated Day,” A.J. Sey- mour. Ed. A Treasury of Guyanese Poetry. Georgetown, cious and filling fruit. Guyana: GTM, 1980: 184. Phagwah gives us another moment to col- From Rabindranath Tagore, Gitanjali first published in lectively visualize the tomorrow that Tagore 1910. This extract from Gitanjali is also the Prayer for the Guyana Parliament. prayed for in Gitanjali and which has been

Guyana Cultural Association of New York Inc. Newsletter 2012 PHAGWAH CELEBRATIONS IN NEW YORK After Holika Dahan, the lighting of the bonfire, the following day 5 Dhuleti is celebrated. It is the day that the play of colors takes place. People take extreme delight in spraying abeer, singing and dancing to the beat of dholak. Amidst all this activity people relish traditional Holi delicacies with great joy. After an eventful and funfilled day, people in the evening greet friends and relatives by visiting them and exchanging sweets. This helps in revitalising rela- tionships and strengthening emotional bonds between people.

Guyana Cultural Association of New York Inc. Newsletter A CELEBRATION OF LIFE 6 THE GODFREY CHIN PRIZE FOR HERITAGE JOURNALISM LAUNCHED Tangerine Clarke

unday, Feb. 26 was a pleasant “our The message which was read by Family and friends day befitting the convivial Guyanese family.” immediate Past President, Mal- join GCA members Sspirit and extraordinary person Making mention of Chin’s hugely colm Hall, called Chin a hero. “His at a Memorial Godfrey Winfield Chin was. His popular book, “Nostalgias – Gold- love for Guyana was complete Service for exceptional body of work that en Memories of Guyana,” and his and his life has been a story of Guyanese cultural will forever be etched in Guyana’s video presentations, the Ambas- constantly adding to the great icon and GCA landscape was celebrated in the sador said “Propagating our cul- Guyanese story” wrote Cam- Boardmember, worship hall of Our Lady of Victo- tural heritage was a responsibili- bridge. ry in Brooklyn, where a journalism Godfrey Winfield ty which he undertook voluntari- The memorial service was filled prize in his name was also Chin. ly, and one which he executed with love and emotion for Chin, launched. with singular purpose and who was admired for the elegant Ambassador “A person is not honored for enduring determination.” and stylish way he did everything, Bayney Karran what he has received. An honor is from his love of dancing and greets family and “He was a living tribute to our a reward for what that person bygone days and was adept at cooking to his love for his ‘dear pays tribute . has given” were the sentiments rekindling in us an irresistible land.’ expressed by Guyana’s Ambas- longing for times when things A procession by GCA board mem- sador Bayney Karran, who added seemed purer, simpler and more bers opened the requiem which that it was a fitting tribute that the enjoyable,” added Ambassador Kar- included bible readings by his Guyana Cultural Association of ran. sons, Gary Chin and Margaret New York, (organizers of the annu- “Where we are today is testimony Lawrence and a eulogy by his son al Guyana Folk Festival) celebrated Richard Chin. the life of Chin during the Mashra- to your unselfish contributions” mani season to which he gave wrote President of GCA, Dr. Vibert Reverend Msgr. Paul W. Jervis, much. Cambridge, who complimented delivered the homily during the Chin for helping to shape the service attended by Mrs. Shirley Ambassador Karran thanked the organization’s vision and style. Chin and other family members former costume designer, found- “We will remember you capturing and mourners who celebrated ing member of GCA, journalist, with Guyanese patriotic songs and author for the passionate way the essence and framing GCA’s mission to Preserve, Promote and tributes that recalled Godfrey in which he nurtured his cultural Chin’s endearing name ‘cook- roots, and the dedication he exhib- and Propagate all of Guyana’s heritage with pizazz,” added Cam- shop fly’ and his favorite line “Ya ited in cultivating the seeds of that think it easy.” culture within the branches of bridge.

Guyana Cultural Association of New York Inc. Newsletter ANOTHER CULTURAL ICON PASSES ON hen the 7 Wdeci- Frank Thomasson sion was being made about the An Appreciation dates for Vibert Cambridge National History Thomasson was not an itinerant, sojourning expatriate and Culture professional. He established lasting roots with Guyana. Week in 1958, He found love in Guyana. From his marriage to scheduling it for Carlotta (nee Croal) there were two sons—Marc and the end of the Max. After Carlotta’s passing, Frank married another Sugar Estates Guyanese—Aileen Morgan, an outstanding Guyanese Drama Festival actress. They subsequently settled in England. seemed the best Frank Thomasson’s love for, interest in, and commit- option. Amateur ment to Guyana remained constant to the end. He was drama was a a Guyanese hero and was awarded the Guyana “big thing” in Cultural Association’s Exemplary Award in 2006. 1950s British Guiana. In Georgetown, there was the fledgling Theatre Guild, and on the sugar estates of the other BG, Bookers Guiana, there was the annual Sugar TRIBUTES: Estates Drama Festival. KEN CORSBIE: As a "costume" in my theatre starter The Theatre Guild and the Sugar Estates Drama Festival days I usually wore a Frank Thomasson "dark suit" as I had none of my own. I have some embarassing left an indelible mark on Guyanese expressive culture photographs in his suits - fortunately I can't find any and brought a generation of Guyanese talent—actors, for this tribute. playwrights, set designers, directors, musicians—to the Frank was an encourager, an optimist, always ready fore. It was in the Theatre Guild that Ken Crosbie, with his dry "English" humour. I think he played a Wordsworth McAndrew, Victor Forsythe, Robert behind-the-scenes shaper of my own theatre enthusiasm Narine, and Ron Robinson honed their crafts. and perhaps my lifelong profession. The Sugar Estates Drama Festival was more than enter- I am so grateful to have known him in those "good tainment: it was a deliberate and delicate step towards ol' days",and so lucky that I had that chance in giving voice to a historically marginalized community— Carifesta X (2008) to have been able to buy an auto- sugar workers. The Sugar Estates Drama Festival was graphed copy of his remarkable book HISTORY OF also an important element in “Guianisation” and the THEATRE IN GUYANA. inexorable march to independence. Frank Thomasson, FRANCIS QUAMINA FARRIER: I was a bright, young, Booker’s Personnel Manager and one of the founding dynamic, up-and-coming dramatist who wanted to members of the Theater Guild, was associated with do theatre as a means of information and education, these important developments in Guyana’s cultural life. back in the 1960s. It was very difficult for simple folks Thomasson came to British Guiana as a personnel pro- like me to do so at the Theatre Guild in those early fessional just after World War II. He was not of the years. However, it was Frank Thomasson who opened the door of the Theatre Guild Playhouse , so to speak, “long socks” colonial mold. He was driven by a more for me and others like myself who came from less humanistic management philosophy—one oriented to privileged backgrounds, and gave us the opportunity empowering Guianese. Among his responsibilities was to shine. Along with my life-long friend Maurice the Bookers Cadet scheme, which developed some of Braithwaite, we founded The Dramatic Corps, with Guyana’s most innovative and effective managers. the blessing of the Theatre Guild Committee at the Before coming to British Guiana, Thomasson was urging of Frank Thomasson. Our main focus was engaged in the performing arts, and he brought that producing Guyanese plays which were first staged at passion to the colony. It did not take him long to rec- the Playhouse, then taken on tour to various rural and hinterland communities. Frank was a visionary ognize that British Guiana’s rich theatrical history as far as theatre in Guyana goes. His book on incorporated multiple traditions. In his encyclopedic A "Theatre in Guyana" is also a legacy which he has History of Theatre in Guyana 1800–2000, Thomasson left us and it enriches the history of theatre in our acknowledged the contributions of mari mari, kwe Beautiful and Dramatic Guyana. kwe, masquerade, ramleela, vaudeville, calypso, shanto, May his soul rest in peace. tramping and the other festival arts to the development of Guyana’s theatrical aesthetic.

Guyana Cultural Association of New York Inc. Newsletter THE CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY MOURNS THE LOSS OF ANOTHER CULTURAL ICON 8 CARIBBEAN CULTURAL TREASURE Sullivan Walker DRAMATIST, MAN! Pritha Singh ullivan All inhibitions and insecurities as women and artists Walker melted away – replaced with recognition, respect, com- S(Novemb passion and understanding of each other and our distinct er 20, 1946- and diverse uniqueness. They (the women) are in me February 20, now, a treasure chest to draw from. 2012) was the Sullivan’s keen observation of the human condition, the consummate landscape and the environment is evident and present in Caribbean all his works, The Journey, Small Days, Two Soldiers, actor, play- Caribbean Woman, to name a few. Sullivan says he wright, direc- learned his most valuable lesson from his family while tor and coach. growing up in Laventille, Trinidad. "They taught me basic He manifested values that I still carry with me today. That is, the idea a wide range of working hard and doing one's best, believing in your of abilities in all phases of theater, television and film. As dreams and believing that all things are possible." an actor he spoke through his expressive eyes, using his His own dreams started to come true in his early 20s hands as if he was playing a concerto or conducting an while studying at the UWI, and teaching primary school orchestra; his fingers seem to have their own set of lines in the day. At night, he indulged his artistic bent by writing, apart from the script. An imposing physical figure, he dancing and studying Caribbean folk life, and remained owned a limitless vocabulary of body language, move- torn over which career path to follow. In 1968 he created ment and expression. A six-footer, Sullivan glided through a street character that he performed in a talent contest, his roles like a dance-man, mas-man, pan-man, saga-man, earning an airline ticket to New York. He told his fellow man-chile, saint, mano y mano! contestants, that though he was confident he could win, As a playwright and director, I had the great honor, privi- he was going to “under-play” for third place, since first lege and LUCK to work with him in his 1976, Two prize was just a car. As much as he enjoyed his native Soldiers at a Crossroad. Fresh out of drama school, it was country, his airline prize was his ticket to greater opportu- my first real acting job. Later I worked in his all-women nity. In NY he studied childhood education at NYU, teach- music drama, Caribbean Woman (CW), based on his col- ing by day while looking for stage roles. His professional lection of portraits in poetry, prose, monologues and dia- career includes: Theater: A Season in the Congo, at logue - an epic journey of “she” in all her glorious mani- Master Harold and the Boys, Two Can Play, Alterations, festations. The 15-20 cast included, Claud Leandro, Susan Dream On Monkey Mountain, and Two Trains Kennedy and the late, Cheryl Byron. CW was life changing Running. Film: Crocodile Dundee, The Firm. TV: Co- and we all grew exponentially from this experience. starred in the comedy series Where I Live; he was a regu- Sullivan handed us a script with no punctuation, so I lar on the Cosby Show as Dr. Harmon, Cosby's competi- pointed it out and he just looked at me smiling with a tive best friend; lead role in si-fi series, Earth 2 as Yale, the tricky eye-twinkle. Talk about SHOCK and AWE! CW is so brainy, reconstituted tutor. Sullivan’s work is available in Sullivan Walker. As the being who created this work, audio / visual media, and Caribbean Woman is being Sullivan had to have become each and every character – republished in 2012. her earnest frivolities, her rude and rambunctious rage, Sullivan was a strong advocate of educating the public her raw innocence, her silent grief and resilience, her about Caribbean culture, which he hopes will change blood and anxious guts! CW was a sacred space - the red what he views as stereotypical attitudes about the region. tent. We couldn’t imagine how we could possibly be all To that end, he co-founded the Caribbean Experience this, all that and all the Caribbean women, he captured Theater in New York to work with young acting students. and stored through his shuttered eyes and senses in a life- Away from the set, he enjoyed watching movies, playing time of being the witness and scribe. His adoration sings soccer, walking, collecting Caribbean art, writing plays her reverence like a glad bird, his heart healing her and short stories. wounds. CW was a rite of passage into a bold new world of inner pride with commitment to truth and excellence.

Guyana Cultural Association of New York Inc. Newsletter YOUTH, FAMILY AND TRADITION education has been always encour- 9 aged by their mother. Indeed, they DRESS DOWN NUH! seem to be following in her foot- steps of unpretentious academic AT 16 AND 13 YEARS OF AGE, ARIELLE excellence. For, they are both high honor students. But they are not all AND SAMARA HUGGINS FOLLOWING IN about study, study, study. They THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE ACADEMIC attend church regularly and rely on that rock of sustaining faith. EXCELLENCE OF THEIR PARENTS. In addition, Arielle is a cheerleader, Juliet Emanuel both intramurally and extramurally, or some of us living in the wide and is quite proud of her perfor- spread of community, the mance in this area. An accomplished FDiaspora, life is "a wonderment." seamstress she concentrates on the At weddings, funerals, birthday parties design and execution of the formal and the like, we sit among our children, dress. She intends to become a doctor grand children, great grandchildren and like her parents and hopes to work even great great grandchildren, some of with children and in the trauma unit. whom have never touched the soil of Samara's passion is fashion. She has Guyana. Sometimes we turn to one already made it clear that fashion will another and say, " Do you believe all be her concentration in college. this?" as we look at replications of our- Therefore, in addition to her sports selves outside of Kitty or Albouystown interests, which include basketball, and or Belladrum or Queenstown Moravian her love and practice of writing, she Church or Ketley Congregational. We attends classes in art and programs and are comfortable in diverse settings, or camps in fashion. Like Arielle, she has try to be, using that savoir faire com- designed, executed and copyrighted mon to Guyanese (if you don't know, fashion lines and appeared in shows. pretend you know, you fas any way). In 2011, she became at 12 the youngest We absorb what we need to in order to awardee in a scholastic fashion compe- exist in our new communities, tasting tition, winning the Gold Key. and enjoying the crudité but so very But Mama Michelle, although facilitat- comfortable with the "sweet" plantains ing physical and mental exploration served as an appetizer. We are not and development, is keeping a rein on always successful in our new communi- her two girls. But in this dress down ties but we try to hold on to the center world as we keep an eye on "dem girls as we deal with the inevitability of dem," we remember the adage that change, the dress down. Indeed it is apples do not fall far from trees. about dress down that our daughters remind us, whether we want to listen The mother of these two focussed to these words or not. So it is often young women is herself exemplary. A with amazement and even disbelief, a physician by age twenty, she remains "when did this happen," that we look at quiet and dignified in her demeanor the journeys of "dem chirren," specially, and rooted in her religious beliefs. "de girls dem." Two young women who Secure in her choices, she recognizes have caused pause lately are Arielle and herself as a proud daughter of Guyana's Samara Huggins. soil. Born in the USA to a Guyanese mother All three were surprised when they and American father, Arielle, who is 16 were asked to be part of the acknowl- and Samara, who is 13, live in Georgia. edgment of women by the editor of To a casual outsider they may seem to this newsletter. live rather mundane lives consisting of It was a pleasure to interview Michelle school, church and family. However, Huggins, (she dressing down) and her when questioned they reveal lives lived daughters, Arielle and Samara. of exciting possibilities. These possibili- ties are grounded in solid scholastic achievements and a consistently firm home environment. They both said that

Guyana Cultural Association of New York Inc. Newsletter A SHORT STORY 10 LOOKING FOR A WIFE by Cyril Dabydeen

Ousmane, originally from Niger, says he’s looking for a wife: Can I help him? “You know lots of people here, don’t you?” He pats his round face. Here in Canada he has worked hard at university, he tells me; he has attained two higher degrees. “I studied night and day. I also pray five times a day.”

I must to teach him good English, you see; he aims to get ahead in the federal government. And there are many things he wants to do with his life; yes, he’s ambitious, see. He looks at me reading a book written by Barack Obama. He beams. “I will run for political office one day.” He leans towards me. Getting a wife is uppermost in his mind, I know.

“Why not a woman from here?” I suggest. “No-no; I want one, well, from my village; I come from a good family.” He thinks hard. Maybe he knows I am baiting him. “I don’t want a woman from here who’s been in the bedroom of many men.”

Oh, how am I taking him? With urgency he adds, “ I send plentiful messages back home, to my friends, relatives, ABOUT THE AUTHOR to help me find the woman I want. Cyril Dabydeen But I get no good answers; it’s so strange.” Renowned, respected, award winning Guyanese poet resi- He’s serious about learning English; he wants to get ahead, indeed. dent in Canada. Formerly a “Why not an Indian girl?” I suggest. schoolteacher in Guyana, he Really from India? was appointed Poet Laureate of Ottawa from1984-1987. To “I don’t want a girl who’s an untouchable,” Ousmane says. date he has written over 17 I remain silent. “Did I say something wrong?” he asks. books consisting of poetry, I shake my head; it’s back to English lessons, and self-improvement; short stories and novels. His and about where he’s really going next...in Canada. work has appeared in numerous literary magazines and anthologies He received a Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence from the Guyana Awards Council (Canada), May 29, 2010, in Toronto.

Guyana Cultural Association of New York Inc. Newsletter CONGRATULATIONS ALANA 11

high during the talent round one day earlier. Seebaran ALANA SEEBARRAN OF also performed a combination of Indian folk and Bollywood acts. GUYANA CROWNEDMISS Alana Seebarran is an accomplished dancer, performing for many years in the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha's INDIA WORLDWIDE 2012 Naya Zamana dance show. The 2012 Miss India Worldwide Pageant was held in She attended Mae's Primary School, School of the Paramaribo, Suriname, South America, with Alana Nations, and presently York University in Toronto, Canada Seebarran of Guyana winning the coveted title. pursuing a degree in Marketing. Alana Seebarran was crowned the new Miss India Alana has been an active participant of the York Worldwide 2012 by her predecessor Ankita Ghazan from University's South Asian Alliance dance troupe, helping Australia. them place 2nd out of 16 universities in Canada. Seebarran was followed by the first runner-up Anvita She teaches classical and Bollywood style dancing to Sudarshan of Kuwait and second runner-up Olivia Rose young girls in Toronto and she is also a teacher at the of Australia at the 21st edition of the annual pageant, Redeemer Lutheran Church during Vacation Bible after contestants of Indian origin but from 35 different School. countries competed for the crown. An active member of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha's The contestants participated in evening gown and talent Naya Zamana dance troupe which hosts shows every segments of the contest before the winners were year at the Cultural Centre, she also hopes to one day announced. start her own charitable organization for battered Of the five finalists Seebaran earned the most points in women in Guyana. the round of questions. She also appeared to have scored Emirates 24/7 Guyana Cultural Association of New York Inc. Newsletter MEMORIES OF A COSTUME DESIGNER: PART 2 In Godfrey Chin’s Nostalgia, he stated entered the National 12 Park just before the “…without any mamaguying, end of the parade since we knew from I award the title of Best Costume Band ever in past experience that Georgetown to the Solo’s presentation the crowd would empty the grounds to “From Whence We Came” in 1974. tramp behind the Solo ….. Claire Goring’s elaborate authenticity MASH Band, which that year included the Chronicle was mind boggling. Thousands of feathers 1974 Atlantic Steel & Brass adorned massive headpieces, intricately braided Orchestra and the Sandra to glamorize tribal splendor.” Stewart, famous “Charlie’s Claire Ann Goring Queen of the Roots Music Band” The Solo Mash Camp nurtured and provided many artists a Solo Band from Trinidad with platform to showcase their art and talent. Malcolm Hall, “From singers, Crazy, Shadow, Whence We Arrow and many other Maurice Blenman, Sandra Stewart, Margaret Lawrence, Andre Came” Sobryan, Desire Edghill, Rose October, Verna Walcott, Sandra top Caribbean calypso- Primus, Tangerine Clarke, Alan Cooper were just a few who nians. were part of the volunteer team making costumes, dancing Even after years of designing, I have never been brave enough to or producing shows such as “Smile Guyana” arranged by the put on a costume,so with a tool belt around my waist with Solo corporation. glue, pieces of wire, glitter and braid I would walk along with For me preparing for Mashramani was year round. During the the band tending to any problems the revellers might have. off season, Andre Sobryan and I would conduct workshops in The English section of the presentation included an authentic schools in the country areas, teaching them the art of cos- English horse and carriage refurbished for the occasion. tume making. Solo provided the materials for the costumes Sheila Chan, resplendent in her English costume of bustled so that they would feel confident enough to want to partici- skirt and leg-of- mutton sleeves was hard put to keep the pate in the Children’s Costume Competition in Georgetown. horse from jumping into the Vlissengen Road trench, as par- Also at this time, immediately after one Mashramani was fin- ents pressed forward with their children to see a spectacle they ished, I would start designing for the next year. Grant might have only read about. Gaskin, who was a friend of the famous Trinidad Mas As the Solo Band turned from Vlissengen Road onto Thomas Designers, the Bailey brothers, arranged for me to go to Road the task for the “roadies” was to keep the 14foot high Trinidad prior to Carnival, to work in the Bailey Mas camp to costume worn by King of the Band and Bandleader Neil learn the latest techniques. Chan from going with the wind and into the Thomas Road “Heh GT, you come again,” I would be greeted by the many trench. On the tarmac, the pulsating music coming from volunteers in the Bailey Mas Camp as we cut 500 of this Charlie’s Roots had patrons in the stands breaking out into shape in blue foil or braided 1500 of another with gold braid. dance, and as the Band hit the gates of the National Park, the Nodding my head to the ever present Soca music, we chant turned to “Solo, Solo!.” worked until the early morning, coming back the following Narrators Andre Sobryan and Margaret Lawrence introduced night to continue the routine. During the day, after about 2 the many sections of the Solo’s presentation to a standing hours of sleep, Albert Bailey or his assiatant Stephen Derek ovation. As we left the tarmac, the crowds spilled out from would take me around to Samaroo’s or one of the other the stands, following the band to the Solo Mash Camp on Carnival shops to purchase the materials I needed to take Vlissengen Road where the bands played until late into the back to Guyana for the Solo Costume band. night as the crowds danced in the streets. In 1973 the theme for the Solo Band was “Beauty in Fertility” Of course there were some negatives like journalist Quintin and in 1974 Solo celebrated our rich cultural heritage in Taylor’s headline on the front page of the Chronicle the next “From When We Came” 1000 strong, with sections celebrat- day - “Claire Goring’s designs are too extravagant .“ Taylor felt ing our cultural diversity using costume, stage presentation that Solo had an unfair advantage over other designers and dance.. When the band entered the National Park tarmac, because we were “professionals.” This feeling carried it was theatre in the Park. through to the judges at the Corriverton countrywide com- With dramatists Margaret Lawrence and Andre Sobryan petition, who without informing us before, did not judge our adding their dramatic touches, dancers Rose October, Verna costumes because they felt we were always winning. Our Walcott, Beverly Hunte, Sandra Stewart, Sandra Primus and junior king, Fabian Gaskin, who at that time was just nine others from the National School of Dance choreographed years old, was crushed but played his Mas like the “profes- simple presentations for each section. In the Chinese section, sional Masman” he was. the professional dancers became the body of the “Lion” mov- During my years designing for Solo I won the Best Designer ing to the beat of authentic drummers from the Chinese Award on two occasions. In 2000, I set up camp in Brooklyn Association. and designed the Band “This is Guyana” for the New York With Andre Sobryan and Margaret Lawrence as narrators, we Labor Day Carnival.

Guyana Cultural Association of New York Inc. Newsletter MASHRAMANI 13 2012

ALL OF THIS IS MASH!

Guyana Cultural Association of New York Inc. Newsletter HOMEMADE TOYS 14 THE MAKING OF A BUCK TOP Peter Halder An ancient proverb states: Neces- sity is the mother of invention. The proverb found expression among poor kids growing up in Albouystown in the 1940s and 1950s. Their parents could not afford to buy toys so many kids decided to invent their own. One popular Christmas toy during that period was the Spinning Top or Spintop. They came in various sizes. Some spun after the top The imported and was pressed down (cranked). For unaffordable, to some, a key was used to wind some, tops (as seen them up. They were on show in in pix) which led to the windows of large Depart- the invention of the ment Stores and some Drug "Buck-top". Stores. Bottom: Awara and Poor kids in Albouystown and Corio seeds used to other parts of the country decid- make Buck Tops ed to exercise their God-given talent and young wisdom to invent their own “home made” Once the three holes were spintop at no cost. It was named made, the auger was used to “Buck Top.” scoop out the kernel inside of the seed. The next step was to The first step was to obtain a place the 3-holed seed in the sun kind of scoop. A piece of very to dry out the inside and harden thick wire, about eight inches the sides of the holes. long was begged for at Sprostons on Lombard Street, at Broad A very small piece of lightwood Street. Help was also sought at boxboard from a grocery in the the the company’s foundry to neighbourhood was collected bend part of the top of the wire and cut to a length of about five into a kind of oval for ease of inches. It was pared into a round used. Pieces of rough sandpaper shape with a circumference that holding and gripping, sort of like and bees wax from joineries and a handle. The bottom, from the would fit into the corio seed. It carpenter shops were solicited. was then pushed tightly into the oval handle, was about three The sandpaper was used to inches long. Help was also top hole, blocking it, the other smooth the seed, especially at end going through the bottom sought to flatten the end and the top and bottom. sharpen it so it became a kind of hole and projecting about three auger. The ready-made auger was then inches beyond. The very end was used to scoop holes at the top, made pared slightly narrower The kids then began to hunt in bottom and in the middle. They and tip made flat. yards for large, round corio had to be wider than the size of seeds. They were easily found. the auger for other reasons. Sometimes awara seeds were Guyana Cultural Association of New York Inc. Newsletter THE MONTH OF MARCH his phrase is famously dramatized in William 15 TShakespeare’s play Julius BEWARE THE IDES Caesar when Caesar is warned by the soothsayer to "Beware the Ides of March." Most stu- OF MARCH Edgar Henry dents of literature would asso- ciate "The ides of March have not come", which meant that the prophecy had not yet been fulfilled, to which the seer replied "Ay, Caesar; but not gone" with the idea that misfortune has not passed. The Ides of March is the name ascribed to the 15th day of March in the Roman calendar. The word Ides derives from the Latin word "Idus" which means "half Musician, Eddy Grant (with parents) Former President division" especially in relation to a Cheddi B. Jagan month. Ides of March is best known as the month in which Julius Caesar was killed 44 B.C when he was stabbed 23 times in the Roman Senate by a group of conspirators. In that era, it was professed that a sup- posedly bad omen would encircle the month of March. In modern times and within a Guyanese context this adage has proved to be a totally false connota- tion, and could well be considered a myth. Numerous historical events and Former President, Master Drummer, Playwright, Journalist personalities are associated with the glo- Hugh Desmond Hoyte Akoyaw Rudder Francis Farrier rious month of March, and I will men- tion a few. 1985 to the House of Lords and Lord President 1992. of the Council. When Amos was appoint- The first airplane flown into British ed Secretary of State for International Guiana was on March 24, 1913. The Cheddi Development on 12 May 2003, follow- components of the airplane were Bharat Jagan ing the resignation of Clare Short, she brought to the then Colony by George another became the first black woman to sit in Schmidt and assembled at a “race Guyanese the Cabinet of the United Kingdom. She course” in Bel Air Park. politician was born on left the Cabinet when Gordon Brown Early religious history in Guyana records March 22, became Prime Minister. She was then March 1857 as the beginning of an orga- 1918 and nominated to become the European nized mission by The Society of Jesus in Baroness Valerie Amos died on Union Special Representative to the British Guiana with the arrival of James March 6, African Union. In July 2010 Secretary – Etheridge, and two Italian companions, 1997. He was the first elected Chief Min- General of the United Nations Ban Ki- Aloysius Emiliani from the Roman ister in 1953 and later Premier of British moon announced Baroness Amos' Province, and Fr Clement Negri from Guiana from 1961 to 1964. He later appointment to the role of Under-Secre- Naples. served as President of Guyana from tary-General for Humanitarian Affairs From a cultural viewpoint at least three 1992 to 1997. and Emergency Relief Coordinator. of our national popular songsters were As we celebrate, respect and honor These are just a few historical data that born in March namely Eddy Grant women this month we recognize the impacted positively in the March-Month March 5th. 1948; Hilton Hemmerding esteemed Guyanese Baroness Valerie annals of Guyana. Hence, the expression March 10th, 194, Akoyaw Rudder March Ann Amos, who was born on March 13, “Beware the Ides of March" seems to be 12th. 1953 and Francis Quamina Farrier 1954. She was the eighth UN Under-Sec- pure myth at least from a Guyanese per- also in March. retary - General for Humanitarian Affairs spective. Nevertheless, let us “Be Aware” Hugh Desmond Hoyte, politician, was and Emergency Relief Coordinator. of the month’s significance regarding born on March 9, 1929 and served asa Before her appointment to the UN, she historical events and the lives of those Prime Minister of Guyana from 1984 to had been the British High Commission- who contributed immeasurably to our 1985 and as President of Guyana from er to Australia. She served as Leader of rich cultural heritage. Guyana Cultural Association of New York Inc. Newsletter WOMEN WHO INSPIRE 16 FIRST WOMAN TO WIN THE NATIONAL VISUAL ARTS EXHIBITION AND COMPETITION BERNADETTE PERSAUD'S ENIGMA OF VISION Carl E. Hazlewood always some danger in ... understands the complexity speaking out. Ms. Persaud’s reputed spiritual and subtleties of her and practical indepen- dence refuses compro- country's intertwined cultures: mise of any sort. And she has often included astute its national ‘personality’ sociopolitical critique as part of the engine that The ebb and flow of political and social influence drives her visual art. But between Guyanese of primarily African heritage and the that doesn't mean she is majority of Indian heritage have reasserted the idea of ori- inflexible. To the contrary, gins as a valuable source of cultural validity. Guyanese her best work uses a variety of signs and symbols to insin- artist, Bernadette Indira Persaud, is an excellent writer, an uate a range of acceptable possibilities, both artistic and intellectual, and an independent-minded critic. Her art political; it’s that redoubled consciousness——a peculiar exercises the semiotics of myth and cultural memory to Caribbean condition, which infuses whatever she does explore an integrated territory of form, content, and local with an undeniable visual tension and poetry. This political reality. However, her paintings deliver their metaphoric slip/sliding is something that is second encoded messages via casual yet intense visual poetics. To nature to Guyana's many great literary talents such as adapt her own words from a curatorial essay, 'Reflections Edgar Mettleholtzer and Sir Wilson Harris, but rare in the in Trembling Waters: The Enigma of Vision', she is interest- work of local painters. ed in an art '... which embraces not only the limitations and mystery of human perception but also addresses the Persaud’s art contends with the international structure of cultural limitations inherent in the human condition.' historical modernism of which we are all a part, while negotiating the still charged territories of post-colonial- While acknowledging her heritage as an Indo-Guyanese, ism. As agreeable as her best paintings may appear in for- Persaud understands the complexity and subtleties of her mal terms, on closer examination they have always radiat- country's intertwined cultures: its national 'personality.' ed essential doubt and concern——especially when deal- Undefined yet demonstrably present, this personality is ing with the realities of the local, which, for her, include both enriched and problematized by its filialistic connec- not simply the look and contours of the land but also its tions to those distant lands of origin. Hindu, Muslim, and underlying political, social, and cultural conditions. various half-remembered African, and even European cul- tures, have added layers of metaphysical and psychologi- Bernadette Indira Persaud gained national recognition in cal possibilities to the local experience. This acknowledg- 1985 when she became the first woman to win the ment of heritage has not, in any way set Persaud apart National Visual Arts exhibition and competition. Among from other Guyanese. Rather, like master artist, Philip her many awards since then, is a National Honors (A.A. Moore, she uses diversity as an integrating factor which Arrow of Achievement) for outstanding contribution to recognizes those different elements that give Guyana people the cultural mosaic in the field of art. She has exhibited their special and contradictory character, which can be widely, in the U.S.A., U.K, Canada, India and the cosmopolitan yet often insular. Stripped of sentimentality Caribbean, and has taught at the Burrowes School of Art and 'roots' romanticism, understanding the past may actu- (1991-1999). Now retired as Senior Lecturer from the ally help us negotiate a path through the active present. University of Guyana, her paintings and essays on art, have been published at home and abroad. Her art is repre- As a visual artist with an equal literary ability, Persaud sented in the National collection, and several private and taps into this available multicultural matrix to achieve a corporate collections at home and abroad. richness of visual effect and metaphorics. In such a small and intensely politicized society, there is, of course,

Guyana Cultural Association of New York Inc. Newsletter 17

Bernadette Persaud ...uses diversity as an integrating factor which recognizes those different elements that give Guyana people their special and contradictory character, which can be cosmopolitan yet often insular.

This painting "Dunks & Bullets" is about a shoot out between Police and gangsters which happened practically in Bernadette's backyard.

Guyana Cultural Association of New York Inc. Newsletter FEMALE MUSICAL TRAILBLAZERS YESOBEL ROSS & IRIS LEACH 18 It was the were upset early 1950’s. and tried to Guyana, like limit our many other THE FIRST involvement. Caribbean They said countries was things like: in the initial “ALL GIRLS STEELBANDS” “You’re not stages of going to struggle to beat no oil shed the yoke OF GUYANA Lear Matthews drum….edu- of colonial- cation is more ism, epitomized by the first national, multiethnic important; You’re not going to ruin the reputation political party. The dawning of “Massa Day of this family. “ It was tough. Done”! Lear: How many members were there? As with the political scene, “beating pan” was Joan Rose: About ten, plus trainers, who a male-dominated activity. But despite normative were “pan men”, very respectful and decent. I cultural credence and challenges faced by am still in touch with band members Iva women, pioneering genius was afoot. The phe- Matthews-Homer, Cynthia George and Edith nomenon of a female steel orchestra was emerging. Abrams. Steel band was viewed as a lower class musical Lear: form, practiced by urban folk from economically Where did you practice? deprived communities. Initially, it was not con- Joan Rose: We practiced three times a week sidered socially accepted as a legitimate genre of in Wortmanville under a “bottom house”. entertainment, thus unworthy of invitation to Lear: What was it like being a member of perform at “prestigious venues” such as the Town the first All Girls Steel Band? Hall. Joan Rose: It was a new experience. As Against this backdrop one could envisage the teenagers we were excited to be in the newspapers. idea of a female steelband was indeed an ambi- We were proud of our accomplishment. tious, if not presumptuous artistic endeavor. The Lear: first two such bands were founded by unsung Where did the band perform and how hero Yesobel Ross, a home maker and later Iris were you received? Leach, a school teacher. Challenging tradition, Joan Rose: We performed at LCP Fairs; these enterprising women ingeniously organized Elsie’s Ballroom in Durban Street; Promenade a group of teenage girls, marking the birth of an Gardens; Girl Guides Pavilion; and McKenzie, All Girls Steel Band, a stark gender breakthrough. but “tramping” was not allowed. We played in They undoubtedly had to be both charming and Surinam, touring with leading calypsonians bold as they did compete with male counter- from Trinidad, and we were chaperoned. We had parts, and were able to unnerve engrained cultur- many supporters. Audiences loved us. al barriers. Among the trainers was a pan wizard Lear: Were there critics? named Bertram DeVarrel, who was the leader of Joan Rose: Of course, but not of our music. Tripoli Steel Band. People criticized our parents. “How could you To capture that unprecedented, transformative allow your daughters to do such a thing?” they experience, I interviewed Joan Rose, former would ask. leader of Ebony All Girls Steel Band. Lear: Anything else you would like to share? Lear: What do you remember about how the Joan Rose: It was a good experience while band started? it lasted. We made history. It was a different Joan Rose: Your mother, Ms. Ross, a very time, different values. I am glad you are doing courageous woman, started the band, first of this because many Guyanese are not aware of its kind in British Guiana. She got the idea it. We have come a long way. Steel band is now from a similar group in Trinidad. Our uniform recognized around the world, with no gender was white waist-coat and burgundy skirt. or age discrimination. Times have changed. Lear: Which pan did you play? You are certainly a musical pioneer. The Joan Rose: I played the “jam pan”. Guyana Cultural Association of New York recog- Lear: How did your parents react? nizes and celebrates your efforts and priceless contribution. Thank you! Joan Rose: Some parents were OK. Others

Guyana Cultural Association of New York Inc. Newsletter CELEBRATING FEMALE TRAILBLAZERS 19 Yesobel Ross FOUNDER OF THE ALL GIRLS EBONY STEELBAND, THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN GUYANA

Guyana Cultural Association of New York Inc. Newsletter CELEBRATING WOMEN WHO INSPIRE worked at air shows and earned FIRST BLACK FEMALE FIGHTER PILOT her private pilot's license. Eventu- 20 ally, she was accepted into the Air Force Academy. She did all of this despite people telling her as a MAJOR SHAWNA child that there were no female fighter pilots, people asking her about all the what-ifs that would R. KIMBRELL derail her plans. "I think what kept me on the straight and narrow is that I didn't CREDITS THE IMPORTANCE give myself any other options," Kimbrell said. "I didn't think OF EDUCATION STRESSED about a back-up plan, I didn't think about a 'what if it doesn't BY HER GUYANESE work out plan.' PARENTS FOR MUCH OF "I think sometimes you lull your- self into thinking, 'OK, I have that HER SUCCESS plan, and if it gets hard I'll go to the back-up plan,'" she added. "If By the time she was in fourth you don't have it, you push grade, young Shawna Rochelle through." Kimbrell knew she wanted to be And push through she did. Kimbrell a fighter pilot. graduated from the Academy in What the now-Air Force major 1998 and was accepted into pilot didn't know, however, was that training. She earned her pilot she would knock down a racial wings in August 1999. barrier by becoming the first "I was in constant competition black female in the career field. with myself, trying to do better, to Kimbrell was born in Lafayette, make the grade," the F-16 Fight- Ind., on April 20, 1976, to ing Falcon pilot said. "There were Guyanese parents. Her mother times when I didn't think that I and father, who were naturalized was going to make it through. It U.S. citizens by the time she was was in those times I learned to be born, moved to the U.S. for education humble and realize there is a and opportunities. Their hard point in everyone's struggle -- no work and dedication paid off in astronaut, so she wrote a letter to matter how strong they are -- her father earning a degree from NASA asking how she could join when they need help, and the Howard University and a doctorate the program. But as she got older key is to seek it out before it is from Purdue University, which in and did more research into joining too late." turn earned him a job offer in the astronaut corps, she realized Using her own advice has Parker, Colo. the career wasn't as exciting as allowed the major a successful she wanted it to be. That focus on education was a career: She has earned an Air big part of life for Kimbrell and "I decided to focus on something Medal with one device, an Aerial her three older siblings as they I could do every day versus Achievement Medal and an Army spent their school years in Parker. maybe going to the moon one Commendation Medal, among time ... which would be awe- others. She has been stationed at "(Education) was the thing that some, but it's just one time," the Misawa Air Base, Japan; Kunsan opened doors," Kimbrell said. "If major said. "So I started to look at Air Base, South Korea; Aviano Air you got your education, you the jets and flying fighters." Base, Italy; Fort Stewart, Ga.; and First Published in could do whatever you wanted U.S. Airforce official While Kimbrell remained fascinated now Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. to do. That was how our house She also flew combat sorties in website, February with space, the freedom of flight was run." Operation Northern Watch. 23, 2012. is what she really wanted: aerial On top of that family modus acrobatics, rolling inverted and by Tech. Sgt. Ben- operandi, Kimbrell had a goal-driven more. With that goal in mind, she jamin Rojek personality from an early age. found every opportunity get closer Defense Media While in kindergarten, for example, to the flying world and the military. she decided she wanted to be an Activity She joined the Civil Air Patrol, Guyana Cultural Association of New York Inc. Newsletter BASED ON THE PRINCIPLES TAUGHT 21 BY HER GUYANESE PARENTS, THIS AIR FORCE MAJOR FINDS TIME TO SPEAK TO CHILDREN ABOUT DREAMING BIG.

"I was in constant competition with myself, trying to do better, to make the grade," the F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot said. "There were times when I didn't think that I was going to make it through. It was in those times I learned to be humble and realize there is a point in everyone's struggle -no matter how strong they are - when they need help, and the key is to seek it out before it is too late." NOTHING’S EASY! EXPECT ROAD BLOCKS. SET A GOAL TO ACHIEVE

Guyana Cultural Association of New York Inc. Newsletter FROM GUYANA TO KAZAN, RUSSIA 22 COMPOSER HUGH SAM “Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything”. - Plato Music expresses that which music. Valerie Coddette cannot be said and on which it THE SECRET is impossible to be silent. The Daily Chronicle will how- brush on the Russian canvas. Victor Hugo - 1802-1885 ever let its readers into the secret. In 2005, his orchestral work, “A Both “Roland Foster” and Hugh Tale of Two Rivers,” was performed From an early age Hugh Sam Lister” are the one and the same there. About that piece Hugh has digested music. He was brought person. He is now 19 and very stated: “I composed the Shenan- up in a musical atmosphere. His much on the shy side. And he will doah River, VA as a contrast to the mother played the piano, and his himself play his IDYLL , which Volga River that runs in Russia”. father the violin. He experienced caused Adjudicator Mr. [Gerald] Now he delights us with his inter- great delight in being a part of Hudson, O.B.E., F.R.C.O. (hons,) pretation of the quintessential “I the music scene surrounding A.R.C.M., L.R.S.M to predict that “ Love Porgy.” him. Often he would bang the lower notes on the piano as his older brother practiced for the yearly London Royal Schools of Music Examinations, and would be shooed away for being a nui- sance. Perseverance, he kept going… Without training, he began to I expect to hear much more dabble in composition at an early about this Roland Foster, whoever age. At the 1954 British Guiana he is.” He, along with Ron Savory, Music Festival, two close friends Clairmont Taitt, Mike Gilkes, with advanced music knowledge knocked heads together and pro- encouraged and suggested that duced the arrangement of Timber he enter the composition compe- Man which won the Symphonic tition. Reluctantly, he did so. He Steel Ork, third prize on Friday used a pseudonym. night. And the real name of this shy “MUSIC FESTIVAL FINISHES but promising composer is Hugh TODAY”- ‘At today’s Festival also Sam” the lid will be lifted on who is Shadows forecast coming “Roland Foster” whose original events. And so it is not surprising composition IDYLL, won him first that an arch begun Guyana makes place in the composition compe- its way to a city as far away as “Music is a moral law. It gives tition. It will also lift the lid on Kazan in Russia. This bridging soul to the universe, wings to the who is “Hugh Lister” who was comes in the form of an orches- mind, flight to the imagination, bracketed with Walter Franker for tral arrangement by Hugh Sam of- and charm and gaiety to life second place for setting Charles George Gershwin’s “I Love Porgy.” and to everything.” - Plato Kingsley’s Young and Old to In fact this is Hugh’s second

Guyana Cultural Association of New York Inc. Newsletter THERE’S AN APP FOR THAT! ASPIRATION, PERSPIRATION PERSEVERANCE Surajprasad Naipaul; for Economic Sciences - Sir REACHING FOR Arthur Lewis jointly with Theodore W. Schultz. 23 GUYANA PRIZES FOR LITERATURE Former President Desmond Hoyte founded the THE PRIZE Guyana Prizes in 1987 to promote local enthusi- GUYANESE/CARIBBEAN YOUTH SHOULD asm for, and interest in, literature, biennially, in categories including, fiction, poetry, best play. A APPLY THE APP METHODOLOGY TO ACHIEVE number of university personnel and the chief OUTSTANDING SCHOLARSHIP AND BODIES librarian of the Guyana National Library com- OF WORK prise the management of the Prize Committee. Muriel Glasgow Although women are represented here, their n this age of the internet and technology , number is considerably less than that of men. Apps are ubiquitous as “Application Note however that the winner of the Caribbean ISoftware”, computer software for the user to extension of this prize is Myriam Chancy. perform specific tasks. The APP referred to in For a list of recipients READ MORE this article is almost like software for the brain http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guyanese_litera- for the user to achieve specific results - recogni- ture tion, awards, prizes. ASPIRATION/PERSPIRATION/PERSERVANCE - CARIBBEAN SECONDARY the three elements in this APP are proposed as EDUCATION CERTIFICATE (CSEC) a motivational strategy for use by our youth in Guyana has secured 16 of the 28 awards for top every field to achieve your pinnacle of success. performance in CSEC in the region in 2011. The BACKGROUND top student in the Caribbean and top student in science - Anuradha Dev of Queen’s College. In my research for this article, the dearth of Guyana won the top award for the fifth time in information on women overall, and women six years and the Best Science award in the from Guyana and the Caribbean,specifically, was Caribbean for six consecutive years. stark. In almost all prizes/awards reviewed, men were overwhelmingly the Laureates (as in the The 2007/2008 United Nations Human Nobel Prize) and the Guyana Prizes. And when Development report has ranked Guyana among women did show up, they were not as visible in the highest developing countries in the educa- science and economics as they were in other tion index. Guyana was placed 37th in the fields. world, third in the Caribbean after Cuba and Barbados, and second in South America after THE NOBEL PRIZE Argentina. Let us build on this foundation. READ For instance, the award most coveted and seem- MORE ingly unattainable, is the Nobel Prize, with http://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/2011/10 almost 850 Laureates in the 111 years since its /29/guyana-cops-16-of-28-csec-awards/ inception in 1901, only 43 of them are women. Becoming a Nobel Prize Laureate is seen as the REMEMBER THE APP singular and highest honor conferred on men AS YOU REACH FOR THE PRIZE and women (and organizations) in all corners of No prize is beyond reach when one Aspires, the globe for outstanding achievements. Nobel Perspires, Perseveres (APP). Prize categories are in physics, chemistry, physi- Guyanese/Caribbean youth, gender notwith- ology or medicine, literature, for work in peace standing, should remember the APP methodolo- and, since 1968, economic science. Fifteen gy for outstanding scholarship and bodies of women were Peace Laureates, 3 were awarded work, not only in literature and peace, but in the jointly in 2011 - President Ellen Sirleaf Johnson, sciences as well in order to have an impact Ms Leymah Gbowee (both Liberia); Ms Tawakkol nationally, regionally and globally. Karman (Yemen). Aristotle said, "Excellence is an art won by train- READ MORE: ing and habituation. We do not act rightly http://iknowourworld.blogspot.com/2012/02/liberia because we have virtue or excellence, but we s-president-fellow-liberian-and.html rather have those because we've acted rightly." As regards the Caribbean and the West Indies, a We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then is woman has yet to receive a Nobel Prize. Four not an act but a habit. -Aspire! Perspire! Persevere! Laureates from the region are: for Literature - Saint-John Perse, Derek Walcott, Sir Vidiadhar

Guyana Cultural Association of New York Inc. Newsletter LIFESTYLE AND TRADITIONS hassa, patwa, hoori and some- 24 times yarrow. A cassee is a fresh GUYANA LAND OF MANY WATERS water catfish that was not gen- erally eaten. When business was slow in the markets the fishermen would FISH IN walk the streets with a large tray or basket resting on their heads. They would call out to ABUNDANCE the houses "Fish, fish, fresh fish.” Interesting symbolism emerged from this finned phenomenon. SNOOK, GILLBACKER, BANGA-MARY, Some people were labeled with fish names if they fit the charac- QUERIMAN, MULLET, CATFISH, PACU, ter. For example, I can recall a man called Basha, a lady known FLOUNDER, BUTTERFISH, LUCANANI as Banga Mary and a person not too brilliant was referred to as a Romesh C.D. Singh Pacu. A person wearing specta- ish and fishing define a The constant flow of the tide cles might be called a Four memorable aspect of allowed those expert fishermen Eye.The old saying “This sounds Fgrowing up in Kitty vil- to entrap their prized catch and smells fishy” still exists lage. Many people made a living with six-foot high nets draping today. from catching and selling fish the water’s edge. Several meth- During the dry season when because of the large quantity, ods, such as a catamaran, were the water in the trenches was at the extended coastline and the used to retrieve a catch . It was a low level one could scoop up living and housing in close a joy to see how the hassas a handful of cacabelly (guppy) proximity to the seashore. were caught. The expert and with ease. The most colorful Life was synchronized with the skilled methods used to catch ones were placed in an aquarium ebb and flow of the ocean tide. fish will be covered in a future which was nothing more than a Whether spring tide, high tide article. jam jar filled with water. or low tide, our lives revolved Most parents especially moth- The main species of fish are around these cycles. When the ers sent us to buy fresh fish in haimara, sunfish, lucanani, pacu, tide was in, happiness was in the market and the language of morocut, cartabak, tigerfish, the air, with a vitalizing breeze that unique commercial subcul- arrowana and arapaima, daree, blowing inland. Instinctively ture reverberate in our ears cartabak and perai are small that was the time to reach onto today. “The fish gat to be fresh, growing to as much as two feet, the Kitty jetty and wait for the if de skin en yellow don’t buy whereas the haimara and tiger- fishermen to land their catch of it, look at the gill, if it ain’t fish can average between three fresh fish. bright red den it stale, If it to five feet. The lanlan and ara- In the 1950’s fishing was a pro- smelling don’t buy it, if deh gat paima can attain a length of 12 fession, with no taxation but flies den it stale if yuh bring to 15 feet. simply a survival mechanism to dah home is gun be hell in hay, you understand?” The cultural fish experience maintain a family. On David was unique in Guyana. The Street there was a tenement Fish in Guyana had several waterways in Guyana generated building that was the home of a names such as snook, gillbacker, an exotic variety of fish which large number of fishermen, bangamary, queriman, mullet, aided local consumption and making preparations for a flounder, bashaw, catfish, butter huge quantities for export and catch, silently tending or weav- fish and pacu. These were almost every schoolboy knew ing new fishing nets. The aroma caught a few miles out at sea or how to lure a hassa, patwa or of hot boiled tar to seal the along the muddy-sandy-clay houri! boats filled the atmosphere at shoreline and sold in the mar- the famous Monsanto family kets. The freshwater fish caught To be continued home in Thomas Street. in the canals and trenches were

Guyana Cultural Association of New York Inc. Newsletter LIFESTYLE AND TRADITIONS 25 FISH AND FISHING WAS PART OF GROWING UP IN THE VILLAGE

ALMOST EVERY SCHOOLBOY KNEW HOW TO ENTRAP A HASSA, PATWA OR HOURI

Guyana Cultural Association of New York Inc. Newsletter NARRATIVE WRITING

I entered the United States in 26 2000, determined to go to BACK STEP college and obtain a degree in nursing. I worked as a home health aide then nurs- TALK ing assistant to provide for Yvonne McCallum-Peters my family. I found myself going to evening classes to I have for years encouraged At eleven I took the high take the GED so I could be students to write their own school entrance examination enrolled at college. In Janu- stories as part of the assign- and managed to pass. By this ary 2005 I passed the GED ments in my composition time my father was working and was enrolled at Medgar classes. I have found that con- overtime and making enor- Evers College to pursue my sciously or unconsciously nar- mous sacrifices so I could go dream of becoming an R.N. rative writing has formed a to the university on comple- To the casual reader, there sort of self-therapy rather like tion of high school. Tragedy may be nothing dramatic that soft talking women, in struck my family; my father about this story. However, particular, would do during was killed in an accident. My those of us who have been those quiet evenings sitting on mother had to work outside transplanted from a different the back step. the home, and things were place are aware of the strug- Was it not the "talking" that not easy to acquire. Life gles to adjust to our adopted guided the children of became difficult, and I was country. Guyana, that "onward, left to take care of my But, the reader may argue - upward," the "go on child, go younger siblings. My past- everyone who migrates on, don't bother with me" time was ensuring the cows expects to pay a price for ethos that pervaded every and sheep were grazed and being in the new country. That family? But it was not often, accounted for at nightfall. may be true, but exactly when or even ever, in the books that I graduated from high does one stop paying? And to we read. And so our experi- school; however, with no fam- whom does one turn? Only ences were held to ourselves, ily savings, college was not in by sharing our stories will we except when we were enjoy- my view. For a time I share the journey and its ing that cool evening breeze, thought of going into teach- twists and turns. As Des'ree, breezing out. ers training school, but in the the pop singer , born of a Now all of our experiences end I chose to be a nurse. I Guyanese mother, sang out, are now pushing themselves wanted to help people feel "you gotta bad, you gotta be into the printed word. Our better, and the training was bold, you gotta wiser, ... hard young, and not so young, people free. I would also receive a ... tough ... stronger ... are talk writing. Let me share stipend throughout the training. cool...calm. ... stay together." with you the kind of talk that Prior to completing my stud- Write it. Back step talk! appears in a composition ies, I met and married class. Lawrence M on December Byrne, Jim. 31st, 1986. This union pro- Vanessa says: I was born on Narrative Therapy & Writing Therapeu- duced three children, so I had June 7th, 1963 in Guyana, tic Narratives in Therapy after Ellis, to balance my time working South America. I am the Berne, Freud and the Buddha: 2010. as a nurse and motherhood. eldest of seven children and Retrieved from http://www.abc- coun- was raised to reach for the In 1996, I got a chance to selling.com on 2/22/2012 stars. Early on in my life I leave Guyana when I got a was encouraged and chal- job in the Turks and Caicos lenged to pursue education Islands. My family joined me This article is adapted from an essay as a way out of poverty. I there, and during the next previously published by the writer. would use my education to five years I worked full-time change conditions within my and dreamed of enhancing family. my career as an R.N.

Guyana Cultural Association of New York Inc. Newsletter PUBLICATIONS: BOOKS, MUSIC, FILMS POEMS & POETS RECENT AND UPCOMING 27 PUBLICATIONS BY GUYANESE Observation by Rose Braithwaite ANNOUNCEMENT OF NEW PUBLICATIONS (BOOKS, MUSIC, FILMS, ETC.) AND IN-DEPTH REVIEWS BEYOND SANGRE GRANDE by Cyril Dabydeen ISBN: 9781894770668 Paperback $28.95 229 pages DISTRIBUTED IN CANADA AND IN THE US by University of Toronto Press Inc. 5201 Dufferin Street Toronto, Ontario, M3H 5T8 Phone: 1-800-565-9523 or (416) 667-7791 An Anthology of Caribbean Literature Caribbean literature has always been exciting and diverse, includ- ing over the past decades some of the world’s most highly regarded writers. Beyond Sangre Grande brings together a contemporary selection in English from some of the key writers living in Canada, ABOUT THE POET I sat on the train to DC the US, and the UK, as well as vari- Rose Braithwaite is a In silence for 3 hours ous countries of the Caribbean. proud grandmother Reflecting a changing world, and The alien eyes alternate and closet writer. admitting diverse cultural influ- Computer to Phone ences and generational differ- Computer to Phone ences, these writers maintain a dis- Fingers elongated from tinct Caribbean-ness in their acute TO SUBMIT historical awareness and in the YOUR POEMS tap, tap, keyboard, cadences and rhythms of their lan- "The GCA Online sliding to phone guage. This collection represents a Newsletter Editorial Team Facial muscles frozen range of voices, from the estab- invites poets to submit lished and celebrated—Derek Wal- not used for pleasantries their poems for cott, Sam Selvon, Austin Clarke, Busy working, laptop, consideration of publica- Olive Senior—to the newer and phone, laptop, phone no less exciting—Ramabai tion in our POETS' COR- Espinet, Nalo Hopkinson, Anson NER. Its snowing outside Gonzalez—that demonstrates the Please make your A landscape draped in white richness of Caribbean literature in submission to: Does anyone see? new and exciting ways. [email protected] As I sat invisible an alien, on the train to DC.

Guyana Cultural Association of New York Inc. Newsletter LIFESTYLE & TRADITION institutions. Maternal and baby 28 deaths were absorbed quietly by the community, long stoic by THE MIDWIFE experience. Bereaved mothers were not supposed to attend the funerals of babies who had died IN GUYANA lest there be no more children born to those mothers. All in all, the midwife was life in all its forms to us. REMAINS AN The state of the current practice of midwifery was focus of a con- ference held in Guyana in 2011. ICON Commentary and assessment Juliet Emanuel thereof is readily available online. owadays, in Guyana, a mid- Also available is a thorough Nwife may not be the first assessment of midwifery in choice for the process associated Guyana from State of the World’s with childbirth. With hospital Midwifery. These reports confirm care probably more accessible for that midwives in Guyana contin- all than it was many decades ago, ue to be valuable to the health a mother to be may turn to that services of the country. Indeed, facility instead of to “Nurse.” Nev- recent conversations with several ertheless, the midwife in Guyana nursing tutors, nurses, nurse mid- remains an icon. wives and midwives attest to the The rap on her door made by a rigorous training relative to the family member of the woman in profession. Training includes labor would bring her out of recognition of protocols and policies, whatever she was doing. Her communication skills and anato- response would be sure since she my and physiology. Midwives would have been following the centa to the trusted family mem- retain close relationships with progress of the pregnancy for ber to bury. Health Visitors and neighborhood months. “ I’m coming.” So pick- In our country areas she was clinics. Midwives are dispatched ing up her paraphernalia, con- more likely to be a well experi- to all areas of the country where tained in a bag that no one but enced and wise woman who had they persevere in their admirable she touched, she would dispatch been taught her trade by an older tasks. While the traditional mid- herself to the home of the expec- midwife. We may remember wife has mostly given way to the tant mother. women such as Jane Baynes of formally trained midwife, during The midwife and the home deliv- Victoria Village on East Coast this month of March and always, ery were not unusual years ago. Demerara. Her story, that of the we hail them all and their service. Were home births always without traditional midwife, is repeated all problems? Certainly not. In any over Guyana. Miss Jane Baynes, Nurse Morri- community, stories of breech In areas such as Kitty, now part of son, Nurse Young, Nurse Douglas births, frightened young mothers Greater Georgetown, formally and all the other midwives, pre- who had to be cautioned about trained and registered midwives sent and past, we honor you and pushing were discussed, where and nurse midwives, such as your work. children could not hear what was Nurse Young and Nurse Morri- being said, in any community. son, brought child after child, Nevertheless, the midwife was more often than not successfully, viewed as more than a baby into the world at home. Births in catcher. For, lovingly, calmly, she hospitals in Georgetown, New brought new life and new hope Amsterdam, Linden and other into being. She removed the towns proceeded according to caul, “band the belly,” gave the pla- the established protocols of the COMMUNITY CALENDAR OF EVENTS COME OUT AND SUPPORT THESE EVENTS John Callender - 347 564 0678 Dale Edinboro - 347 563 0847 29 WHAT’S HAPPENING BREEZE BIRTHDAY IN THE COMMUNITY BASH Saturday, March 17, 2012 OSHAG Saturday., March 24 @ 3:30pm Tropical Paradise Ballroom THE ORGANIZATION York College 1367 Utica Avenue FOR SOCIAL 94 - 20 Guy R. Brewer Boulevard, (Bet. Foster - Farragut) - 8.00pm & HEALTH Lecture Hall 3D01, Queens, NY Music by Lambert & the Matadors, Mc Earl Lovelace Wassi, Kool Connection & King Papa Rocky ADVANCEMENT (Trinidad and Tobago), FOR GUYANA and Is Just A Movie $20 with invite - the CARIBBEAN Wednesday March 28 @ before midnight ($30 after) 7:00pm - Skylight Gallery, Complimentary Dinner, Cash Bar TEA featuring a Hat Show Restoration Plaza, For Information: EXTRAVAGANZA 1368 Fulton Street, Brooklyn, NY Breeze: 973 477 0210 Leslie Ann Murray, Terry: 973 454 9271 SUN. APRIL 15, 2012 (US/Trinidad and Tobago), ROSE GARDEN Ibi Aanu Zoboi (Haiti), Haiti Noir LINDEN FUND ANNUAL 4224 Church Ave., Brooklyn, NY Friday, April 20 @ 7:30pm - SPRING DANCE St. Francis College (corner of East 43rd St.) 182 Remsen St, Brooklyn, NY SAT. MARCH 31 2012 3:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M. Derrick Arjune (Guyana) WOODBINE SOCIAL CLUB $20.00 –ADULTS The Mailbox Syndrome TICKETS: Diana McCauley (Jamaica) $10.00 – CHILDREN Dog Heart $25 (advance) For tickets call: Friday, May 11 @ 7.30 p.m. $30 (at door) Lorna @ 646‐522‐8005 Sasha Kamini(Trinidad & Tobago) MUSIC: Barbara @ 718‐288‐2060 Nicole Sealey Cleveland @ 646‐872‐607 (Virgin Islands) DE UNTOUCHABLES & DJ FLEXX Harold @ 917‐496‐8247 Poetry - Woman Tings For Tickets Contact: Mavis @ 347‐742‐6568 718 783 8345/718 270 6218 Carol @ 678‐327‐3077 Daphne Lee - 347-548-5889 Keith Semple - 908-205-2482 CARIBBEAN NEW YORK TUTORIAL George Parris - 347-784-0235 CULTURAL THEATRE SUPPORT GROUP, INC. QUEENSTOWN ESSEQUIBO POETS & PASSION EASTER BREAKFAST/ NEW YORK ASSOCIATION TO HAVE YOUR EVENT ENTERTAINMENT 21 ANNUAL DANCE PROMOTED IN FUTURE SPRING 2012 GCA NEWSLETTERS: Friday, March 23 @ 7:30pm SAT. APRIL 14, 2012 SATURDAY, APRIL 28, 2012 Contct St. Francis College, 9.00 a.m. 10.00 P.M.-4.00 A.M. Claire Goring 182 Remsen St, Brooklyn, NY ST. JUDE COMMUNITY AFRIKA HOUSE [email protected] Annette Vendryes Leach CENTER 2265 Bedford Ave (Lower Level) or (US/Panama), 409 Maple Street, Brooklyn, NY 11225 Music:: Edgar Henry Song of the Shaman (Bet. New York-Brooklyn) Glenville Obrian Lovell DJ Supreme & DJ Perry Supermix [email protected] ADULTS - $20. (Barbados), KIDS - $10 under 12 yrs Going Home in Chains TICKETS: Opal Palmer Adisa (Jamaica), For Tickets: Painting Away Regrets Lear Matthews- 718 216 4505 A.B. Drakes - 347 374 3553

Guyana Cultural Association of New York Inc. Newsletter