Mashramani – A true Guyanese celebration Kaiteur News Feb 23, 2013 Related DEAR EDITOR, Guyanese are gearing up today for what is likely to be the biggest Mashramani celebration ever. As is common knowledge, the celebrations are held every year in the month of February to celebrate Guyana’s attainment of Republican status. As is known, Guyana attained Republican status on February 23, 1970, and the celebrations have always been held to coincide as far as is practicable with that date. For those unfamiliar with our political history, Republican status preceded the country’s attainment of independence from Britain which took place on May 26, 1966. One would have thought that the attainment of political independence was much more significant than republican status which, for all practical purposes, was more symbolic rather than substantial. The struggle for independence was much more intriguing and eventful than the attainment of Republican status which, as mentioned earlier, was a mere symbolic gesture by the British government. It is now part of documented history that the British government deliberately withheld the granting of independence to the then colony because of political/ideological considerations. Both Britain and the United States feared that an independent Guyana under a Jagan-led PPP government could be problematic and despite an earlier pledge by the British Government that whichever party won the elections of 1961 would take the country into independence, that pledge was honoured in the breach. The PPP won the 1961 elections, but the British Government waited until the removal from office of the PPP government in the elections of 1964 and then hastily agreed to grant political independence to the colony two years later in 1966 under the PNC-UF coalition government. The above is not intended to detract from the celebratory nature of the Republic Day celebrations even though Independence Day in any colonial territory that attained its independence status from a metropolitan power is much greater cause for celebration. Guyana’s independence celebrations were embroiled in geopolitical and big power politics and therefore did not benefit from the collective joy of the Guyanese people. By the time of granting of Republican status in February 22, 1970, the democratic fabric of the Guyanese society was already ruptured by the PNC regime, which by then had already kicked out its junior partner the United Force from the coalition on the eve of the 1968 ‘elections’ which was massively rigged in order to return the PNC to power. The celebratory mood of the Guyanese people was further tempered by the undemocratic nature of the subsequent PNC regimes. The above notwithstanding, Mashramani has undoubtedly become the biggest cultural extravaganza of a national character. It is an event that is looked forward to by Guyanese from all walks of life. It is perhaps the only festival that transcends religious and ethnic boundaries and is embraced by peoples of every colour and creed. It is getting bigger and better every year, bringing out in the process the creativity and ingenuity of the Guyanese people, especially in the cultural domain. One gets the feeling, however, that some way has to be found to curb the unbridled ‘overexuberance’ of some participants in the Float Parade on Mashramani Day. This admittedly is easier said than done, but the sexually suggestive gyrations and public display of scantily-clad men and women could be a source of embarrassment for those with family members, especially children. Mashramani has certainly come of age, and even though it still has some catching up to do with the more established carnivals such as those of Trinidad and Brazil, it has become quite a spectacle to behold. In our Guyanese context, it was meant for us to celebrate after hard work, which has greater relevance today than at any other time in our political history. Guyana has cast aside its past stigma as an undemocratic state and today is a proud member in the international community. We are no longer a pariah state and have graduated from an impoverished nation to a more developed status. The huge foreign debt which was once an albatross which stifled our development potential has been removed and the country is now firmly on the course of sustainable development. In short, we have every reason to celebrate. A happy Mashramani to all Guyanese, including those living abroad – more particularly those who come home from abroad to share this glorious moment with us. Commendation is in order for our hard-working and dynamic Culture Minister Dr. Frank Anthony and the entire staff of the Culture Ministry for the good work they have been doing to keep the Guyanese creativity and spirit alive and flourishing. Hydar Ally A © page from: Guyana: Land of Six Peoples