Dear Editor,
Christmas is as ethnic as ethnicity comes in America. Each of the more than 300 ethnic groups in the country celebrates the Christmas season its own unique way with its own unique ethnic cuisine and activities. Guyanese are no different.
Indian-Guyanese Americans, Africans, Portuguese, Chinese, Amerindian Americans all add their own cultural touch to the season’s celebration. Among Guyanese Americans, last minute preparations are underway for a Guyanese-type Christmas in the greater New York area although the same can be said of all other communities in the US. The family home is decorated with flowers, lights, and other appropriate décor.
In the shopping areas of Queens and Brooklyn which Guyanese patronize, blocks are teeming with shoppers. There is hardly any walking space in the evenings after work. People are still shopping at this late hour for gifts and foods even on Christmas Eve. Live meat stores are packed; Guyanese love fresh meat especially at this time of year. Fish sales are not doing quite so well now except for ‘cutters’, as we say in Guyana.
Liquor shops are also doing good business although people complain about a tight pocket. Bakeries, night clubs and restaurants are buzzing with activity. Guyanese homes and businesses are beautifully decorated, some in competition with other Americans for the best lit home; People flock around some of the Guyanese homes in Ozone Park and Richmond Hill to take in the spectacle. But Guyanese homes in other parts of Queens and Brooklyn are also spectacularly lit. Christmas trees are lit next to Jhandis.
Preparations are underway for that special meal and items that make the celebration truly Guyanese. Guyanese love to bake special Christmas cakes. Preparation for making special puddings and other treats are proceeding in earnest; because of work schedules, Guyanese bake at the last minute which also seems to be the trend in Guyana.
But black cake preparation began weeks ago. Dried fruits are soaked in wine and liquor to be readied for the big bake. Guyanese also make sponge cakes and other sweet treats for family and guests. Preparations for the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day lunch and dinner are going on at a hectic pace.
Fruit salad, ice-creams, ras malai, gulab jamuns, sahena, etc, and other traditional Indian dishes will also be prepared. Special meals will continue till New Year’s day.
Although most families prepare the food themselves, many buy it due to paucity of time for cooking. Guyanese restaurants will be open even on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. They do good business around this time of the year as Guyanese want to taste that special flavour.
Organizations and businesses are hosting end-of-year parties or get togethers. Even the dozens of mandirs and masjids host receptions.
Non-Guyanese guests love the Guyanese cuisine. Guyanese Americans, the children in particular, eagerly look forward to the day and the rest of the year-end activities.
Yours faithfully,
Vishnu Bisram
