BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – IT was the colours and traditional attire that illuminated the Streets of Charlestown, Nevis last Saturday (Feb 22) as dozens of Guyanese participated in the first Mashramani parade on that island.
Mashramani, often abbreviated to "Mash", is an annual festival that celebrates Guyana becoming a Republic in 1970. The festival, usually held on February 23 – Guyanese Republic Day – includes a parade, music, games and cooking and is intended to commemorate the "Birth of the Republic".
The word "Mashramani" is derived from an Amerindian language and in translation means "the celebration of a job well done". This year Guyana celebrated its 44th Republic Anniversary.
This carnival-like event is considered the most colourful of all the country's festivals. There are spectacular costume competitions, float parades, masquerade bands, and dancing in the streets to the accompaniment of steel pan music and calypsos.
Speaking at Saturday’s event, Deputy Premier of Nevis and Minister of Culture the Hon. Mark Brantley told the Guyanese in attendance that they should feel comfortable and were welcome to stay at the same time helping in the development of Nevis.
“You are a part of us and we want you to be comfortable in Nevis. So, so long as you are here, so long as you are helping us build this island, we want you to be comfortable and so I am very happy to be associated with this celebration today… I am hopeful that this continues and will be a regular fixture where we can enjoy Guyanese music, we can enjoy Guyanese food and we can celebrate with you the same way you celebrate with us. So welcome, enjoy yourselves…have a good time. Thank you very much for making Nevis your home and please be comfortable because we welcome you,” the minister said.
Deputy Premier Brantley also said that he was pleased to witness the Guyanese celebration first-hand and invited Guyanese living on Nevis to take part in the upcoming Culturama 40 celebrations slated for later in the year.
“I hope that the Guyanese population understands that now that you have put on such a great show we expect you to do it next year and the year after that and the year after that and I also hope you understand that for Culturama 40, I am expecting to see at least one massive Guyanese troupe,” he said.
The event which was hosted by the Guyanese Association of Nevis at the Elquemedo T Willett Park saw hundreds of children and adults parading in the Streets.
At the end of the parade, a cultural programme went into full swing which displayed Guyanese cultural dance, poetry and song chaired by Kenrick Liverpool. As the event flowed into the night, Black Stone Sounds entertained the many in attendance with a number of Guyanese and local music.
