Guyana Now!
Guyana celebrates Mashramani with some friendly competition
Local competition heats up in honor of Guyana's national holiday, Mashramani.
Yearlong volunteer Sarah Stevens writes: "Mashramani is a holiday in Guyana that celebrates Guyana becoming a republic in 1970. The festivities arise from the traditions of the diverse heritage from which Guyana's culture is derived, including African, East Indian, Amerindian, British, Portuguese, and Chinese. The official date of the celebration is the 23rd of February, but in the school system, preparations for the holiday begin much earlier. This is so local competitions can occur in enough time to send the winning students to Georgetown for the National competitions which occur the week or two before the 23rd of February."
So what do the students compete in, you ask? Just about everything it seems, "dance, poetry, calypso, physical display, costume, and masquerade," explains Sarah.
The Latest from the Field...Ratha Yatra
Guyana Year Volunteer Sarah Stevens describes her experience celebrating Ratha Yatra.
On Sunday, I participated in Ratha Yatra, a celebration of the incarnation of Lord Jagganath by the Hare Rsna Temple in the next village over. I joined the parade after they'd been walking for about half an hour and we walked for two more hours...Continue reading here