Getting ready for “A cultural invasion in 2007”
Guyana Chronicle
January 14, 2007
THIS Mashramani Dr. Frank Anthony would like nothing better than to see what Rudy Grant had in mind when he sung “Mash in Guyana, people going crazy.”
In fact, he is sparing no effort to make this year’s Republic anniversary the biggest national celebration ever.
One can see it immediately in that he has reintroduced the national chutney singing competition, and is equaling the prize money with that offered in the calypso competition, offering winners in both competitions $550, 000 each.
Dr. Anthony, who is the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, also chairs the body coordinating events for the celebrations. He says all he wants is for Guyanese to be “happy”. “Mashramani is our national festival,” he says.
Dr. Anthony knows a lot is hanging on his shoulders. It is his first time taking charge of the event, and moreso he has to do it at a time when he is also spearheading Guyana’s efforts to successfully host the quarter final matches of Cricket World Cup 2007.
Reintroducing the chutney singing competition and putting it on par with the calypso singing competition is one defining way of saying he intends on making sure all Guyanese are part of the national event and making sure it reflects this year’s theme “A Cultural Invasion in 2007”.
Further, though it would mean more finances, Dr. Anthony is taking some of the events to far flung regions. In fact, this year, Mashramani festivities will be held in all regions of the country.
Mr. Keith Booker, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport insists everything is in place for a “massive” celebration this year. This is despite the fact that he is still courting the business community to supplement government’s budget to manage Mashramani.
He says the fact that Mashramani falls just before CWC 2007 is a major reason why the celebrations must be “massive.”
It is for this reason that he says the ministry is making sure there is an event in each of the country’s 10 regions. For the regions that have difficulty organizing events, the ministry is transporting events to those regions.
Minister Anthony says some things are traditional to Mashramani, such as steelpan, calypso, masquerade, the costume and float parades and the decorated and illuminated buildings.
However, he said he wanted to add more to this year’s events to make it different.
And so, the 20 calypsonians who are competing this year have also qualified for a special singing competition addressing HIV/AIDS.
Dr. Anthony, who formerly headed the health sector development unit before his appointment as minister in September, said it was recognized that HIV/AIDS affects Guyanese in a significant way.
As such, the winner of the competition will receive $200, 000 cash.
The chutney singing competition, while not new altogether, has failed to hold its own as a signature event for Mashramani. Neaz Subhan, who has experience in organizing shows for the Indian Arrival Committee, has been roped in to pull off the event.
He says that apart from the $550, 000 cash prize for the winner, the two runner-up prizes are $350, 000 and $200, 000. Such is the drive to encourage participation that a separate prize of $50, 000 is being offered to recognize the most outstanding new singer.
The Minister is also scouting additional talent for the masquerade bands competition. He says it has been found that some regions have more bands than others.
As a result, teachers from the National Dance Company are winging out to the different regions to stimulate interest.
Also, owing to pressing demands, the Junior Calypso competition will be held in Region Nine.
Minister Anthony also wants to see more than the 38 floats that were on the road last year. And he is confident, that with the expressions of interest so far, this will happen.
The costume and float designers who were concerned that the cost of importing their material would be higher with the introduction of Value Added Tax (VAT) had their fears quelled earlier this week. These items once attracted a Consumption Tax of 30 per cent, but with VAT, the they would be taxed at 16 per cent.
The children’s competitions would continue to see its strong focus on the expressive arts, coordinator Desiree Ogle says. The competitions would be in dance, dramatic poetry, masquerade and physical display, though the latter would be judged in May.
The children’s activities begin on January 29 and ends on February 17 with the costume parade, which will involve all levels of the school system and private schools.
The steelpan competition has been eliminated this year, but according to Mash Coordination Lennox Cantebury, a steeplan extravaganza is planned, bringing together steelpan bands from the various regions.
In addition, a new competition, which coincides with preparations for Cricket World Cup, would challenge communities and individuals to clean up their surroundings. Prizes are being awarded for “Best Village” and “Best Parapet”.
With all these events, Dr. Anthony is keeping his fingers crossed that he will pull off the biggest Mashramani revelry ever.
Origin
The word "Mashramani" is derived from an Amerindian language and in translation means "the celebration of a job well done".
The Jaycees of Linden had, since Guyana became independent in 1966, been organizing an Independence carnival in McKenzie.
When Guyana became a Republic in February 1970, they formed a Jaycees Republic Celebrations Committee. Basil Butcher was selected as Chairman but due to his being selected to tour Australia with the West Indies cricket team, Jim Blackman was appointed as the Deputy to carry on. A broad based committee including resource personnel such as Wordsworth McAndrew, Arthur Seymour, and Adrian Thompson, began the organization of the activities.
The search for a name to replace Carnival began and it was suggested by Basil Butcher that an Amerindian name be chosen. This was agreed to and several individuals including Mr. Allan Fietdkow, an Amerindian, were contacted.
Mr. Fietdkow held discussions with his grandfather who explained a type of Festival that was held by Amerindians whenever they gather to celebrate a special event. This event he said was like "Muster Many" (or Mashirimehi in Amerindian) and sounded in Arawak like Mashramani.
Steps were taken to confirm this. Adrian Thompson concluded that since no one could have confirmed or denied that the Arawak word for Festival was Mashramani, then the Festival could be called Mashramani.
On February 23, 1970, the Festival called "Mashramani" was a huge success with people drawn from all regions of Guyana welcoming Guyana's status as a republic with over three days of frolic and fun.
After witnessing the massive crowds, glitter and level of competition, Mr. David Singh, a government official held discussion with the Jaycees Committee about bringing the event to Georgetown, the nation's capital.
Approval was also given by the then President Forbes Burnham for Mash to be a national event for the Republic celebration. Mash activities were rotated in Linden, Berbice and Georgetown but due to sponsorship, the Costume Bands contest remained in Georgetown.