Local book aims to rekindle interest in folklore, theatre
By Shauna Jemmott
Guyana Chronicle
June 25, 2004
SOME 1,000 copies of the book titled ‘Caribbean Mythology and Modern Life’ written by Ms. Paloma Mohamed is to be presented to the Education Ministry soon.
A sample copy was given to Chief Education Officer, Mr. Ed Caesar at an official launching ceremony at Castellani House in Georgetown Monday.
The presentation was made by Secretary General of the National Commission for UNESCO, Ms. Carmen Jarvis.
In her address to the gathering, Administrator of the Allied arts Unit of the Ministry of Education, Desiree Wyles-Ogle, said the book, which will be it addresses other issues that affect the lives of students, such as the impact of HIV and violence. Others include cultural acceptance, literacy and building self-esteem.
In her remarks printed in the publication, Ms. Wyles-Ogle advised that investing in a drama programme in school is a move that would be worthwhile, since drama encourages students to develop their reading, writing, speaking and listening skills, among other things.
“This book of plays provides valuable information germane to Guyanese folklore and will serve as a stimulus for drama productions in schools,” she pointed out.
Ms. Jarvis said she was deeply concerned for the revitalization of arts, drama and culture in Guyana and recommended that UNESCO supports the production of Caribbean Mythology and Modern Life.
She said she recognized that the interest in theater, drama and folklore is fading in the local arena and was especially disturbed by the deteriorating state of the Theatre Guild, a house that produced some of Guyana’s most reputable actors, writers, directors and dramas.
“Our society seems to have lost the passion and desire for theatre, for drama and folklore. I remember the days when the presentation of plays, concerts and recitals had packed audiences at the Theatre Guild, Queen’s College Auditorium or the National Cultural Centre.”
She said she is pleased with Ms. Mohamed’s commitment to promoting creativity in youths, and commended her “loyalty and commitment to the arts in Guyana and the Caribbean”.
Chairperson of the launching ceremony and Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Al Creighton, who wrote the book’s introduction, said folk theatre began to find its way into the mainstream in the Caribbean in the 1960s, and Ms. Mohamed is one of two writers who publicized books that are based on the oral traditions.
Oral Tradition host Petamber Persaud said the stories written by Ms. Mohamed and published in the newly launched book, are brilliant enough to recapture the interest of Guyanese in local literature.
Ms. Mohamed said she never planned writing the work, but was motivated after she noticed while judging local schools’ drama competitions that they were of poor qualities unworthy of competing in the Caribbean schools drama competitions.
Barrington Braithwaithe researched and illustrated the folk characters in the book.