Taking a Passion Abroad: Mashramani, One Big, Colorful Celebration

If any of you are my friends on Facebook you will have noticed that I recently uploaded over 400 pictures into my Guyana photo albums. We had the opportunity to travel to Georgetown to see the Mashramani celebration up close and personal. Many people have been asking for an explanation as to what Mashramani is. It is also known as Republic Day. In my mind from what I saw I take Mashramani as a more tame (but not by much) Carnival. I mean, I have never attended Carnival, but I have seen pictures and videos. I really don’t know how best to describe Mashramani, but I saw a great explanation of it on social media the other night. I follow a “Country of Guyana” account on Instagram, and the following is a better explanation of what Mashramani is. “On the 23^rd day of February each year Guyanese gather to celebrate all that is Guyana in an event called Mashramani. In 1970, Guyana became a Republic and a carnival like celebration was initiated to acknowledge such an achievement. The word Mashramani is of Amerindian origin meaning ‘a celebration after hard work.’ This event is one giant party that incorporates various aspects of Guyanese culture with colorful costumes, creative parade floats, and feet-stomping steel band calypso music.”

We went to Town Sunday afternoon after I returned to New Amsterdam from a church conference held in Canje. We went with the Roberts to some Lutheran friend’s home. We then went out to eat at a very nice Chinese restaurant and then watched some of the Oscars after we returned home. The next morning we woke up before all of the festivities. Actually, Claire and I were up and doing stuff before most people in the house. We got a little stir crazy and decided to go out to read in the living room. Dan ended up with both girls sitting on either side of him reading and “watching” him as he woke up. What a surprise for him! We found out that it would be ridiculous to leave the house before the festivities showed up on TV, so we sat around the house watching the flag rising that happened earlier that day (Monday) on repeat. I have recently arranged the Guyana National Anthem for one of my brass groups, and I was fingering the trumpet line along with the band that was playing it on TV. I think that just proved to my fellow teachers how much I have been working with that specific piece of music.

Around 11 we decided it was time to head out. We stopped at Survival (a supermarket) to get drinks and ice for the day. We then got to a spot along the parade route where we could set up a little camp. Claire and I put on our masks, and we all prepared for what we thought would be a ‘normal’ parade. People in the parade can be crazy. There were some really cool floats, and lots of people were with each entry dressed in some exciting costumes and lots of glitter. Almost every entry had a giant wall of speakers with music blaring and a DJ shouting out dancing instructions. I figured out part way through the day that where we were was just around the corner from one of the judges’ station. There were lots of groups that stopped right in front of us to make sure there were all organized and energized for the judges. While they were stopped in front of us a lot of the people kept dancing and got others to dance. I had two instances where I was specifically spotted and made to dance. It was an interesting experience. I was uncomfortable, but I survived.

We also experienced a lot of downtime. There could be anywhere from 30 seconds to 45 minutes between each entry that came by. I don’t really know what we such long waits between entries were, but it allowed people to mill around showing off their outfits or just hang out. I was very glad that we had brought drinks. The sun was very hot. At one point Claire had complained about it being hot and the next thing I knew Dan was pouring what was left of a water bottle on her head. They also stood under an umbrella for a while. I am very surprised at how little I got sunburned. Don’t get me wrong, I am plenty red, but nowhere near as bad as it could have been! The parade ended around 6:30. That is almost seven and a half hours in the sun! By the time we all got to the car and sat down we were exhausted and very ready to head home and be in our own beds. It was a great celebration and I am very glad we got to experience.

I have learned that the party continues this weekend on Sunday here in New Amsterdam. This time it we won’t be quite as tired though because we can set up a camp site on our driveway out of the compound and go into our house as often as we want or need to. Next week brings another holiday for us. Who knows what we will do, or where we will go to celebrate, but I know we will have another day with no class. I’m excited to experience this new holiday as well though.