(this is one of a series of fortnightly columns from Guy-anese in the diaspora and others with an interest in issues related to Guyana and the Caribbean)
In the June 3, 2007 edition of the Sunday Stabroek, David Jessop’s “The View From Europe” column focused attention on the consequences of the loss of Caribbean collective memory. For example, he noted that absence of this memory placed Caribbean rum negotiators with EU at a disadvantage. All of the Caribbean negotiators of the 1996 round had “moved on or retired” and the current negotiators were “for the most part unaware of why the rum regime was structured as it was, or the long history behind the treaty obligations contained in the Cotonou Convention.”
He further bemoaned the fact that Caribbean political, cultural, and civic leaders were not leaving written records of their experiences.
These records are important contributions to the region’s history. As Jessop noted, “Without a common and well-understood history it will be difficult for the Caribbean to retain its culture and long-term sense of being Caribbean.”
This type of challenge is particularly acute for multi-racial Guyana where there is a dire need to identify and to explore the common themes of our collective history.
On Saturday, December 8, 2007, I was privileged to be part of an evening celebrating the launching of Godfrey Chin’s book Nostalgias. It was a pleasant affair that allowed Guyanese to share their pride in their heritage.
Terry Holder was the emcee, and like an inspired conductor, he brought out the best from the participants. Vic Insanally was there, and he spoke about the growing-up days he shared with Godfrey in First Street, Alberttown. He reflected on what First Street meant.
For him, it was a multi-racial creative space where genuine friendships were nurtured, where the Four Lords rehearsed, and from where the spirit of competition was nourished, especially on the tennis courts at the Chinese Sports Club ground where Vic and Godfrey competed as ball boys.
I spoke about memories of the trenches and train lines that ran near First Street and about “August month” when we shied/felt for fish, and with bicycle spokes and with gum from sapodilla trees caught birds, and developed an everlasting love for Guyanese flora, fauna, and folk-lore.
In bringing greetings from Godfrey’s colleagues of the Guyana Folk Festival in New York, I made the point that Godfrey’s Nostalgias was an important social history document.
Ian McDonald also spoke, and he declared Nostalgias a “masterwork of a very special kind.” Ian described the book as an “extraordinary feat of memory and recall” that was wide in scope and content.
He said that it will “enhance and enrich readers” by “bringing to vivid life again, events, people, ways of life,
