Avenue of the Republic
LORD Mayor, John Ford, yesterday morning pulled a string and the Independence Flag of Guyana dropped to reveal the new name for High Street under a Guyana Co-op Republic. High Street, stretching from Church Street and four blocks southwards to the vicinity of Parliament Buildings, will now be known as the Avenue of the Republic. The other part will remain High Street. In the presence of a Saturday morning crowd outside Company Path, the Lord Mayor said that the renaming of some of these streets is a necessary exercise in all newly independent countries and there must be an attempt to record in history important occasions such as Independence and the birth of the Republic. "We have Independence Park, Independence Boulevard and now the `Avenue of the Republic'," he said. Song of Republic From Pakaraima's peak of pow'r To Corentyne's lush sands Her children pledge each faithful hour To guard Guyana's lands. To foil the shock of rude invader Who'd violate her earth, To cherish and defend forever The State that gave them birth. We'll forge a nation's mighty soul Construct a nation's frame; Freedom our everlasting goal, Courage and truth our aim Unyielding in our quest for peace Like ancient heroes brave, To strive and strive and never cease With strength beyond the slave. Guyana, climb the glorious perch To fame, prosperity Join in the universal search For worldwide comity. Your people, whatso'er their breed Their hue or quality, With one firm never-changing creed The nation's unity.
Coat of Arms of The Republic of Guyana THE Coat of Arms consists of: An Amerindian Headdress which symbolises the Indigenous people of the country. Two brilliant Diamonds flank the sides of the headdress representing the mining industry. A Helmet (monarchial insignia), supports the headdress. The Helmet, sits atop a Shield The Shield is decorated with the National Flower (Victoria Regia Lily), three blue wavy lines representing the Waters of Guyana and the National Bird (Canje Pheasant). Two Jaguars protect the shield, one holding a pick axe, the other a stick of sugar cane and a stalk of rice (symbolising Guyana's sugar and rice industries). Finally, at the bottom is a Banner with Guyana's Motto: One People, One Nation, One Destiny!
Guyana's National Flag - The Golden Arrowhead Guyana's National Flag, designed by Whitney Smith, Director of the Flag Centre, Florida, U.S.A., has five symbolic colours: GREEN represents the agricultural and forested nature of Guyana WHITE symbolises the rivers and water potential of the country A GOLDEN arrow represents Guyana's mineral wealth BLACK portrays the endurance that will sustain the forward thrust of the Guyanese people RED represents the zeal and dynamic nature of nation-building which lies before the young and independent Guyana.
The National Pledge of Allegiance I pledge myself to honour always the Flag of Guyana, And to be loyal to my country, To be obedient to the laws of Guyana, To love my fellow citizens, And to dedicate my energies toward the happiness and prosperity of Guyana.
The Victoria Regia - National Flower THE water lily, the Victoria Regia, was discovered in 1837, by German Botanist, Robert Schomburgh. Schomburgh was at the time leading an expedition into the interior of what was then British Guiana. In its native habitat of tropical America, the plant is perennial. It grows in four and six feet of water, the vase of the stems being situated in soft mud. From each plant, there are seldom more than four or five leaves. The largest can measure between 10 inches to one foot in diameter.
The Canje Pheasant - Guyana's National Bird Another of Guyana's national symbols is the Canje Pheasant, or Hoatzin. It's a colourful bird: the feathers on its back are reddish-brown streaked with green, while those on the underside are pale brown. The feathers on the root of the neck and on the wings are edged with a creamy-white colour, while on the head is a crest of long feathers which give it a majestic look. A ring of pale blue skin surrounds crimson eyes. The Hoatzin has a short beak and feeds on leaves and aquatic vegetation. The National Bird can be found on the banks of the Berbice River and its tributary - the Canje Creek - and also along the Abary, Mahaica and Mahaicony Rivers. Its usual nesting season is between April and September.
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