Phagwah more muted than last year
Stabroek News
March 19, 2003
This year's Phagwah, the Hindu festival of colour, paled in comparison to those of previous years, as the celebrations were muted in many communities along the East Bank of Demerara and in Georgetown.
Families appeared reclusive, with many playing Phagwah in the security of their own yards rather than out on the road.
Central Georgetown saw a few scattered celebrations with groups around Bourda market and in Robb street getting the festivities underway a little after 11:00 am.
Old and young, Hindus and non-Hindus alike participated by throwing abrack and abeer, or just plain water.
The Albouystown community proved to be the most spirited of all the communities, as residents fully embraced the festival and transformed James street into a centre of merriment.
People of all ages and races there took to the streets as early as 10:00am armed with water and powder, drenching not just each other, but any unsuspecting passers-by or vehicles which happened to come within their range.
A visit to the Herstelling community, in contrast, found empty streets as residents retreated to celebrate the festival in their own yards. Some of the youths chose to engage each other in water-gun battles.
Celebrations in Kitty, Campbellville, Alexander Village and Eccles all seemed tame, and again, did not display the abandon of previous years. One Kitty resident explained that he and his family had turned down a relative's invitation to join celebrations in Grove on the East Bank because of the situation in the country.
He expressed fear for his family's safety, instead choosing to stay at home and play among themselves, something, he said, they had not done in years.
An Alexander Village resident told Stabroek News she did not feel the spirit of the festival, and had decided to pray instead. According to her it was not just a time for celebration alone, but for prayers as well.
Some other residents in the village chose to sprinkle each other with abrack and abeer during a game of cricket as their recognition of the festival.
For Hindus the main focus of the holiday was the celebration of the triumph of good over evil. Many had burnt holika on Monday night, and had risen early yesterday morning to worship. (Iana Seales)
