Kenrick Douglas, self-employed: 'I was part of the revelry in the Ministry of Health Mash Band and every minute was sheer excitement. Mashramani for me is taking to the streets and celebrating with the masses. This year people really came out and supported the festivity and in my opinion that is commendable. Some Guyanese have a perceived notion that Mashramani is for one set of people when in reality it is Guyanese. Celebrations today pale in comparison to those we had long ago. Then the army and the joint services were part of the parade and instead of lining the streets people joined in. Every Guyanese was involved. It was all about linking up back then.'

Golin Rodrigues, carter: 'Things went on without me this year. My son had the flu and I stayed at home with him. Though I was anxious to go out I could not bear to leave my son alone at home so I watched most of the parade on television. And from what I saw this year appeared to have been bigger than the previous year. More people were out and the parade had an increase in participation. I hope to be a part of the celebration next year.'

R. Yhap, self-employed: 'Business kept me in the interior so I was unable to see the happenings this year. I am not a spirited person when it comes to celebrations. My days are usually quiet. Not that I am against Mashramani or anything; I am what you might call low-key. Work rarely permits me to go out celebrating and the truth is I am committed to my work. But I hope to see Mash grow as the years progress and be a national event. When all our peoples are involved celebrations will be like no other.'

Shemeza Hyube, operations worker: 'I must admit Mashramani does not interest me. For years I have passed the day quietly at home. Excluding myself from the celebrations does not make me any less of a Guyanese. I was born here and I will continue to live here but that does not mean I have to partake in everything. I saw some of this year's Mash scenes on the television and in the newspapers. What I saw impressed me and come next year I might go out.'

F. Henry, electrician: 'From what I have seen this time around I look forward to next year with much anticipation. I went out with my family and from the numbers I saw on the road so did countless other people. I was lucky to see both the adult and the children's costume float parade. The children put on quite a show for us and the older folks picked up where they left off. The Carib Mash band in my mind was the most uniform group and the design of their costume struck me as catchy.'

Tina McNeil, domestic: 'Money kept me away from the celebrations this year. Over the years Mash became a part of me and I usually go out and spend the day with my family. However, I send my grandchildren out since they were behind me for sometime time to take them out. I saw the parade on television and Rayon House of Fashion really looked impressive. I have a niece visiting from abroad and she mashed with one of the bands. God spare life I will be at the next Mashramani celebrations.'

Dattnarine Bisnauth, lorry driver: 'A part of me really wanted to be a part of everything that was happening but due to security reasons I stayed at home. I thought everything was back to normal in the country until a few days ago when robberies rose up again on the East Coast. I live in Mahaica and travelling down with my little ones did not seem wise in the circumstances. I am not saying that crime will drive me into seclusion but I have to fear for my boys. The last year we came down for Mash was the year the prisoners escaped from Camp Street prison. Though no harm came to my family I was at risk. Hopefully next year will see the dawn of a new era and I will travel to town once more.'

Gillian David, vendor: 'Mashramani now could never be like before. Times are hard these days, so hard that one has to ponder where the next meal is coming from. Money is not circulating and I cannot take out my children and have them hungry all day. Where is the money to clothe and fed them? I took out my stall at the Mash and business was bad. People came from home with food. I saw most of the parade and all I could say is Mash has lost its true meaning. Vulgarity was at a high level on the streets and very few of the bands had a real message behind them. The scary thing is the days ahead might not be any different.'

Pakar, musician: 'Mash was exciting this year and people turned out to make it that way. With support like that Mash could go a far way. I like the costumes, they were flashy, some were bold and a few were unbelievable. I liked the Carib Mash band, they looked nice and the costumes were saying, Mashramani. I was out with friends and as the years go and come the group gets bigger.'