– Even co-operation against COVID impossible?
Whilst at my own book-signing event at Austin’s Book Service two Fridays ago I came across a few village histories in the store. And I found time to renew my academic, historical and practical excited interest in this category of local history.
You see, after actual classroom teaching I was involved, as a teacher-writer-editor – from 1971 in producing quite local educational supplementary readers for Forbes Burnham’s’ foresight to “revolutionise” education for national development. And amongst our earliest publications were colouring (history) books, village histories and profiles – some “authored” by young primary students – and some stunning wall posters depicting dramatic historical events. From since those seventies/ eighties I was a convert to our national and community histories. Even producing published cartoon stories featuring Kofi and Quamina.
At Austin’s you’ll find village histories by Eusi Kwayana, whom I interviewed for my account of “Bux-ton people stop train” around 1973/74. Kwayana’s history of Victoria is preceded by William Arno’s. And there are others. Their presence has inspired my most brief but pointed appeal below.
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More Kwayana/Granger histories, less politics
After school-boy history I found it my good fortune to have Vere T. Daly teach me Guyanese history for two years at a teacher–training programme. For those of us steeped in “motherland history” via colonial history books, Daly’s nightly interpretations were revelations of true origins and their psychological violations. Simultaneously we found pride, unearthed from his research and evidenced-based findings and data.
I read Rodney and many others after Daly’s groundings. Joel Benjamin even attempted to teach me professional research. But alas…
A Lesley Potter- (British Lady?)- produced an analytical, insightful paper on “Indian and African Guyanese village settlement patterns and intergroup relationships (1871-1921)” which managed to capture my attention. But I kept recalling Kwayana.
For decades I scoffed at the fact that the fully freed slaves (1838) named their newly-established villages after their one-time British oppressors! It was Kwayana’s history about the freed men’s governance system and local government acumen, which included just why they chose Queen Victoria and Buxton. They were being strategic to win over the “local” British governors. It did not actually work but that’s why they did not name their new communities after their own African Rebel Heroes.
Brother Kwayana should conclude with a few more histories. No matter what “politics” he writes these days, to those old enough he’ll always be “Sidney King” the colourful and controversial. From 1953 PPP minister to GMC Chairman to pre-Independence Partition Promoter during the sixties Race Riots. The late Stanley Cooke taught me that to be “ethnic-specific” is not to be racist. Right Brother Eusi?
In 2017 someone who claims to know informed me that Brigadier Granger does not like being described as historian. (Nor does he like Kweh-kweh songs. What!?)
Granger has produced his own histories. His Guyana Review publications were most valuable. His gazettes on coinage, periodicals and others are useful records of historical aspects. As were his emancipation magazines.
So I plead: Write a comprehensive history of the church, for example, Comrade Granger. Ease off the political and the politics. Thanks in advance Sir.
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Hope – and hoping for Co-operation
Nuff respect Brother Dave Martins. Yes hope does keep us alive and going/carrying on. Frankly speaking, those of us who never migrated probably survived on hope. Right here!
But often these days my hope resides in me. Myself! I experience the opposition spokespeople taunting the new government about lapses in managing the COVID-19 pandemic here. No hint of co-operation to fight the common public health enemy. “Indian” names and faces replacing terminated “others.” Hope tends to recede as I wonder if the skills, abilities, intellects of those dismissed won’t be available to the nation any longer.
Then my hope is suddenly pleasantly rekindled! St Lucia’s Government and opposition have just signed a binding “Recover St. Lucia” MoU to co-operate fully in that little island’s battle against the Corona Virus ho-ho-ho!
Spare your thoughts…
● 1) The Guyana Belgium cocaine caper tricked even the Georgetown-based American DEA?
● 2) “Hundreds” of Afro Guyanese terminated in three (3) months?
● 2b) Ministers Bharrat and Ashni: What about a little goodwill bonus for us over-65 government pensioners as both COVID relief and “Christmas” gesture?
● 3) So thousands will come to occupy all those new hotel rooms? The casinos?
● 4) Are there other functioning cricket boards besides the one in Berbice?
● 5) “Authorities”! Please upgrade the National Aquatic Centre. And also upgrade and expand D’Urban Park- as originally envisaged. Even if it has to be re-named “People’s Pleasure Park” – PPP!
`Til next week!
