The Ministry of Culture has attempted to make good on its pledge to “widen the menu of activities” that it was sponsoring or endorsing as part of its official Republic Anniversary programme this year.
The celebratory merry–making aspect of the annual observance, named “Mashramani”, is given to song and dance, to music and masquerade, public entertainment, national stress relief. I did my little bit, for years to goad the Ministry and its Mashramani Management Committee, into staging debates, lectures on the 1763 Berbice Slave Rebellion which threw up the February 23 date; to host book exhibitions, readings, film and folk festivals, art and food exhibitions, all to complement the now familiar Republic Anniversary School debates, quizzes and essay competitions on the relevant issues.
So I was pleased to see, even participate in, Monday’s cultural workshop with the theme of “Sustaining Guyanese Culture in the Era of Globalisation”. Later that Monday, Professor Vibert Cambridge also delivered the inaugural Republic of Guyana lecture exploring the same theme and concept. This lecture series, we are advised, is meant to “encourage scholarly investigation into, and robust debate on, issues of national concern.
So since even the Mashramani aspect of the national anniversary highlights and promotes aspects of Guyana’s cultural expression and traditions, the two events sought to locate the strength, the status of our culture in a shrinking globe which seems to either absorb or overpower “vulnerable cultures”.
But Monday’s destructive downpour in the Capital prevented too many of you from being at the Umana Yana to experience some very stimulating deliveries and discourses. That’s why I bring you now just a few highlights and opinions.
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Our Culture in an Aggressive World
Dave Martins shared his view that, roughly, if we respect our traditions, heritage and strive for the highest standards of excellence, we have nothing to fear from that which is now known as “Globalisation.”
In truth and fact, he asserted, we could market our cultural products in the global market, now easily facilitated by the Information and Communication Technology of computers, internet, worldwide web and the works.
I contributed really my “three – cents” worth on sustaining our Intangible Heritage in the face of globalisation. “Intangible?” “Globalisation?” Our “intangible heritage” refers to the stories, songs, myths, rituals, proverbs and all those folkloric, traditional expressions which are non – monuments, non – infrastructural icons of our identity. “Globalisation?” I preferred to discuss the how and the institutions responsible for sustaining our expressive way – of – life Right here in Guyana!
For to me Frankly Speaking, only a few pockets of our older folks still trying to maintain and celebrate the real rootsy aspects of our traditions. Whether indigenous or those brought by the groups who were imported here to sustain, not any “culture” but sugar. And these are done, or performed, only on occasion. Indian Guyanese generally still love their “original” wedding ceremonies, for example.
There are also still a few Afro, pre – wedding Kweh – Kwehs, but do our children really know our early foresongs, folkgames or superstitions these days? What would your enquiry find?
At Monday’s workshop I attempted to suggest ways of resuscitating or sustaining our folk traditions. I’m now thinking, as I write this, that we should perhaps utilise much more the same modernity that distracts and place our heritage under threat. Use the computer, cell phone, internet to educate our youth about folk; create folkloric video games! Farfetched?
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Kaiso in Kentucky, Haloween in Haslington
I also tried to provoke thought on an issue, a question I often contemplate. Since we’ve been singing other people’s songs for centuries, especially my generation of the 1940’s, it has to be good to hear Europeans, Americans, Japanese and Bangladeshis singing and playing Marley’s Jamaican reggae and Trinidad’s kaiso’s.
Our creative steel pan and rhythms capture the world’s attention. The thing is: the foreigners do not allow other cultural influences to overpower or submerge their native culture. Even as they appreciate what the world has to offer.
In Guyana however, our youth now seek successful role models – even the illegal get – rich – quick – without working types. I contend that poverty and hopelessness influence our youth away from our traditions. Beside all the other factors! Fifty–Cent and Shah Rukh Khan replace Water Mooma, Bush Dai–Dai, our folk songs and local heroes.
Those who can’t go to America or Jamaica bring those folks’ things here. Our Diaspora also tell of Thanksgiving and Haloween. So we celebrate that stuff here, speak of “summer” during July – August and try to sound even Jamaican! Our youth are “weaker vessels” for many reasons.
But wait! Even tho’ Jamaicans won’t play our music with such frequency as we play theirs, we’re all family – right! And since we’re not packaging our cultural products properly for export, we don’t or can’t convert challenges into opportunities. “Globalization”, in that context, tends to be one – way.
I hear they’re planning to publish the Papers and Discussions from that Monday Workshop. Kudos to the Ministry’s Department of Culture.
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African Heritage…
February used to be a much more vibrant, stimulating 28 days wherein African descended folks here celebrated their history, heritage and world contributions. Alas, in this UN – designated “International Year for People of African Descent”, how relatively low – key has the month been!
I was nearly a victim early in January, of some politicised, subjective interpretations of public comments I made with respect to the government’s efforts at facilitating the lYPAD programme. So as a professional coward sometimes, I’ve decided to steer clear of what Dr. David Hinds describes as “Black People’s Business”.
But I’ll retain my right to comment decently and ask questions. Even as I wish African Guyanese the very best for this, their year.
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Y’all come!
The Culture Ministry is facilitating the launch of my long–delayed publication – a booklet of Creole Proverbs and place – names. This afternoon at the Umana Yana at 4:30.
You – all are invited. Admission is free but not the book!
There will then be a Kweh – Kweh ceremony featuring Henry Rodney and his Victoria Kweh–Kweh posse. And Maggie Lawrence. And Eze Rockciffe. And National Dancers. It’s another component of Mashramani 2011. Y’all come this afternoon, man. Come leh we Ganga at de Umana Yana!
`Til next week!
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