Mash 2007 – massive, colourful, engaging, with positive energy
By Mondale Smith
Kaieteur News
February 24, 2007
Mashramani 2007 could best be described as a massive, colourful and engaging spectacle possessing a positive energy, following yesterday's float parade. To some it was simply great, while others declared that they “expected more from the business community”.
And to yet others it was mainly a competition between communication giants GT &T and Digicel, with the trimmings of floats from some Government Ministries, Regions and private individuals.
The comments from among the thousands who flocked to the Mash route included, “All the way, I supporting Digicel,” “GT&T is we thing,” “The competition is good for Guyana with the two phone companies, but they should have had more costume bands on the road,” and, “I having a ball anyway…Me ain't concern who win or lose.”
Judging from the revelry, it was obvious that both GT&T and Digicel pulled out all the stops to create a carnival atmosphere with their extravagant, festive costumes, complemented by equally competitive revellers numbering more than 1000, who traversed the traditional Mash route.
Though different in colour, the two entities, like the Ministry of Health, had a penchant for dragons, which was their main float.
Most believed that the Carib contingent was not as large as in previous years, but most opined that that band should receive an award for its partying with unmatched energy and vitality.
Several notable characters made their way along the crowded route, some playing cricket, including the Cricket World Cup mascot, Mello, and comedian Habeeb Khan.
Despite intermittent rain, tradition was very much alive as Guyanese and tourists alike chose varying ways and spots to catch a glimpse of, or to join in, the float parade.
It was most colourful, and the revelry was just as anticipated in and out of costumes. Notable was the fact that the Church led the parade through an inter-denominational combination complemented by equally high-spirited ‘gospelypsos'.
This contingent, with varying sections, was not in competition but bore varying slogans of peace and the need for more reverence in the land.
The group was followed by the masquerade bands, with all their elements and characters, including Mother Sally, the fowl cock, Long Lady, Bam Bam Sally, the mad cow.
These re-created the spirit of Mash of olden days, and were most entertaining. But some children did not take a liking to the mad cow. Merriman's Mall was transformed as into a hive activity, with picnicking families occupying almost every space in the area along the Church Street thoroughfare.
The Local Government Ministry depicted a most colourfully integrated Guyana, while Region Three put together a creation of the National Flower, the Victoria Regia, as well as the forest.
Region Four offered a cultural invasion, while Region Six was among the more creative. Many had mixed comments about the GRA's depiction of VAT. Some dubbed the costume as “depressing” but the revellers under the banner proved that VAT possesses abundant energies and could be beneficial to all.
Giftland OfficeMax offered a mostly T-shirt contingent that was not ready to throw in the towel to the full costume revellers. The participants employed the dancing skills of ‘Passa Passa' kings X-factor.
The Guyana Red Cross had one of the smaller contingents -- no more than 30 -- but it proved that numbers might not mean an absence of strength.
At least two Ministers - Agriculture's Robert Persaud and Health's Dr. Leslie Ramsammy - shed their suits and ties and were with their contingents.
Minister Persaud, with the aid of one female reveler, showed that he could ‘get down' when required, as did Minister Ramsammy.
Most celebratory of all the regions was the BeeRaaHaa Sweet combination of Sisters Village, Berbice, and Grandma BeeRaaHaa, aged over sixty. This woman proved that she has got more than creative ability when she did some gyrations of her own.
The Education Ministry showcased ways in which it can and will “touch the future”. Region Five portrayed some of the positives of VAT through its creation of a waterfall that occasionally opened up to showcase the Berbice River Bridge and other infrastructure.
Cricket's World Cup was highlighted by the Culture Ministry and the Chemical Corner group. The former also had a most energetic Mermaid.
The lone animal-drawn float was John ‘Slingshot' Drepaul's, ‘ Welcome to Guyana for CWC' .
There were 26 costume bands on parade, among them Don Gomes's Optical, GAWU, Guyana Forestry Commission, Jumbo Jet Auto Sales, Total Protection Systems Inc and Bacchanalia.
Many of the media operatives opted out of the office for the day to tramp with either Digicel or GT&T.
There were several men who traded their regular masculine outfits for female swimsuits and brassieres. The Brazilians, too, were out in their numbers, clad in full costume in almost every band.
There was also a touch of drama. One reveller fainted, but there was no need for the medical services.