Life and times of Beterverwagting/Triumph
Ingredients for a best seller
By Justice Prem Persaud
Retired judge of the Court of Appeal and current Chairman, Public Utilities Commission
Guyana Chronicle
May 9, 2004
`Long before wife of former US President Hillary Clinton popularised the concept of a village rearing a child, we lived that in Baron. Every elder, regardless of what is now branded as race, was addressed as `Uncle’. This was not a mere term of respect: it carried with it the avuncular privilege of inflicting corrective discipline on any youngster who violated the rigid communal norms of good behaviour. The offender who slinked home and complained about being `unjustly chastised’ soon discovered what the folly of youth was all about. His parents would inevitably inflict another dose of the earlier punishment on the ground that he must have been engaged in some form of boorish behaviour which justified the earlier punishment. The lofty concept of `natural justice’ did not intrude to mitigate the punishment.’
A CHRONICLE of the life and times of Beterverwagting/Triumph has all the ingredients of a best seller saga.
On May 8, 1839, 62 ex-slaves pooled from their savings the princely sum of $52 000 to acquire the estate of Baron Von Gronigen, a Dutch coloniser who held on to his lands during the British occupation of the colony. The name `Beterverwagting’ literally translates as `Better for waiting’ was chosen by the purchasers for these lands.
Three years later, one Lambert Christian acquired the area immediately east of Beterverwagting and sought to confer the name `Plaisance Profitt’ on these lands. His wish was frustrated since the name Plaisance was already assigned to another village a few miles west of these lands. In the circumstances the name `Triumph’ was chosen for the area.
Baron Von Gronigen must have been a benevolent coloniser since the occupants of these two areas of lands chose to refer to these holdings as BARON. With the passage of time, that name has crystallised into a generic term and residents of Beterverwagting/Triumph deemed themselves Baronians.
Those early Baronians demonstrated a good sense of planning. Their village was the first coastal one in British Guiana to lay out lots running east to west in order to take advantage of the drainage and irrigation canals which ran north to south.
On August 31, 1857, the proprietors of the district met at the train station and established the fist fully elected Village Council. This remarkable achievement will today receive acclaim from all, save perhaps the women libbers, since only the male proprietors were allowed to vote and hold office!
From the sacrifice and discipline of our forefathers, Baron evolved into the finest village in Guyana.
Long before wife of former US President Hillary Clinton popularised the concept of a village rearing a child, we lived that in Baron. Every elder, regardless of what is now branded as race, was addressed as `Uncle’. This was not a mere term of respect: it carried with it the avuncular privilege of inflicting corrective discipline on any youngster who violated the rigid communal norms of good behaviour. The offender who slinked home and complained about being `unjustly chastised’ soon discovered what the folly of youth was all about. His parents would inevitably inflict another dose of the earlier punishment on the ground that he must have been engaged in some form of boorish behaviour which justified the earlier punishment. The lofty concept of `natural justice’ did not intrude to mitigate the punishment.
The village market attracted customers from all parts of the country and was perhaps the busiest place in Guyana on Saturdays. In attendance were itinerant vendors such as `Knowledge’ with his erratic pricing system; `Brown Betty’ pedalled popsicle carts all the way from Georgetown; newspaper vendors Derek Katchay and Mr. King making home deliveries; and invariably, the walking lexicographer, Prophet Wills. Food vendors, such as Amechand (Baccoo-Boy) and Hydar offered aloo ball and channa in competition with Gertrude who boasted the best black-pudding and souse in all Guyana.
The Tivoli Cinema was an institution by itself. The doorman, Baya Bledman, had a very good summary manner of determining if you pay full or half price for admission to the pit section. He would plunge his hand in the front of your trousers and decree that the hirsute patrons had to pay full price!
Any villager reading Naipaul’s `Miguel Street’ will have a sense of de’ja vu. Miguel Street was every street in Baron. The village spawned legendary characters who are fondly remembered when villagers meet in Baron or Brooklyn, Triumph or Toronto. `Outsiders’ present at such reunions are bemused when Baronians reminisce on the good old days and enquire of the progress and whereabouts of others who had the quaintest aliases.
Everyone in Baron had a false name. Those which come to mind include Lord Mud, Grabble, Josey Catuntun, Salt Pipe, Yangoor Tiger, John Mulaloo, Cockhead, Cheese Mouth, Brave Boy, Fighting Cock, Turkey Money, Juglamp, Marmite, Daddy ole Horse, Gold Foot, Turkey Chest, Lamp Oil, Captain Midnight, Scraps and the Pope! Some of the false names are not suited for publication in a family newspaper!
Villagers have made substantial contributions to national life and have demonstrated academic excellence over the years. Notable Baronians include Sir Donald Jackson, former Chief Justice, President of the Court of Appeal and Speaker of the House of Assembly; Vibert Mingo and Balram Singh Rai, former Ministers of Home Affairs; Dr. Henry Jeffrey, serving government minister; Dr. Ceciline Baird, former government minister; Dr. Harry Paul, largely self-taught, attained great heights in Agriculture, Medicine and the Law; Dr. Desmond Broomes, in Mathematics; Dr. Blanche Duke, Dr. Jean Bovell and her sister, Joyce Pompey and Clement Rodney and sister, Faye, and J. Arnold Henry in the field of Education.
Who can forget Hon. E.M.G. Wilson, Minister of Communications, fondly referred to as COCO. And, in the political sphere, Cyril Duncan, Jan Ali, and the inimitable Paul Slowe, among so many others.
We have former Commissioner of Title, Mr. Gerald Broomes and his brother, attorney-at-law, Clefrin Broomes. And in the public service, Mr. Ramsingh and Mavis Rai, uncle and aunt of the present Chief Justice, Darshuwanu and Amanand Persaud, Claude London and Police officer, Paul Slowe.
The Eastern block of Market in which I grew up comprised five homes, the patriarchs of which were small businessmen, Jan Ali, Noor Bacchus, Abrahim, Rahamat Ali, and Pandit Nanoo Persaud. These five homes alone produced five medical doctors – Azeez and Habeeb Bacchus, Imran, Mustapha and Unus Hack; two accountants – Shamir and Sahadat Ali; two headmasters, Ashraf and Asgar Ali, a manufacturer – Prakash Persaud; a marine biologist Khalil Hack; Senior Customs Officers, Nasir Ali, Osman Mohamed and Satie Persaud, Officer Isaz Hack, an officer in the Canadian Royal Mounted Police and three lawyers, Rip Persaud and Vidyanand who acted as Judge of the High Court and yours truly.
Of these elders in the Market Street, only my mother, Jasmattie Persaud, is surviving and she will be celebrating her 92nd birth anniversary on Independence Day. She was born in, and grew up in the village. My father, Pandit, died in 1980 at age 80.
In the field of sport and culture, Baron was without equal in the villages. Cricket matches in the village attracted a large following. The Clubs, Surrey, Oriental, Fisherman XI and Cavaliers, produced cricketers of Test calibre. Lawyer Joe Gadwah represented Guyana at inter-regional level.
Benjie’s `Atomic Balls’ at the White Rose Hall (now the Community Centre) attracted artistes such as the legendary Tom Charles and the Syncopaters and Rafi and Mukesh Clones picked up prizes at local Indian Performers competitions.
For several years the Patrick Dargan debating Shield and trophies came home to Baron. I am still the custodian of the East Dominoes competition KO Trophy which was presented by the then Prime Minister, Mr. L.F.S. Burnham.
It is a matter of regret that the tremendous achievements associated with Baron is reduced to oral tradition. There is a real danger that this tradition will diminish as succeeding generations get swallowed up in the bitter-sweet jaws of the Diaspora.
Some villagers are valiantly striving to preserve the history and traditions of the village for the benefit of posterity. Foremost among these dedicated persons is Edgar Henry, popularly known as GAR, who is making great strides in business in Brooklyn, USA. Cheytram Ramkissoon is also seeking to rekindle the spirit by dedicating a hall in Liberty Avenue, Queens, USA, for the use of villagers now in New York.
Technology today, presents the opportunity for us to capture the recollections of those still around, and to preserve a piece of history for posterity. A good start, and a first for the villages, will be a BARON HOME PAGE on the internet.
How say you, Gar?