Last week we attempted a broad overview of the African presence in Guyanese culture; the nature of it, the way it manifests itself and its considerable influence on the national culture and social structure. Integrated with the social institutions that evolved in the country after Emancipation is a complex fabric of the performing arts and theatrical traditions, including rituals, visual arts, oral and scribal literature through which and within which the Guyanese African culture is reflected. But this African presence is now virtually indivisible from the general Guyanese culture.
The focus this time will be on literature, but it is difficult to approach it without placing it in the context of the African presence in the culture. Our account last week touched on social factors and national cultural heritage including language, food, clothing, religion, and elements of the African ethos that survived slavery and are a part of