Category: Features

Remembering the Birth of a Nation

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By Horace Walcott I was one of the pupil leaders selected by my school, Malgre Tout, to attend a rally at the Parade Ground in Georgetown in honour of Queen Elizabeth II.  Her Majesty and Prince Phillip were visiting Guyana in February of 1966. I can recall standing a few yards from Her Majesty as she took the salutes of military and scout bands as they marched pass her.  I was one of the youngest scouts in Guyana and, though pedantic and introverted, was attracted to the military. There was…

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Art in Pre-independence Guyana ‘Artist had already shown Independence of thought ‘

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Guyana became an independent nation in 1966, but its artists had already, from a generation before, begun to show independence of thought, action and vision. The artistic ferment in Georgetown in the decades between 1930 and 1960 is a yet largely-unrecognised intellectual and philosophical development in Guyana.  The early part of this period laid the foundation for an art which lacks nothing in richness, complexity and ideation. Samuel Horace Broodhagen (1883-1950) is identified as the earliest-known local artist. He was a painter of landscapes and portraits, but not much is…

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Moco Moco

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The trip from Lethem to Moco Moco village is under 30 minutes. As you pass the village, the scene transforms from savannah into rainforest as the trail wanders through the communities favourite farmlands to the Moco Moco Falls at the base of the mountains. Notably, it is said that most of the areas down and around Lethem seem to have been part of a highly volcanic area a long time ago. There are remnants of lava flows and lava rocks at Moco Moco Falls. According to one visitor to the…

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Tribute to a Mother

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By Janet Jagan My mother died at the age of 95, some 5,000 miles away. She was very old and had lived a long and useful life. I remember her for what she gave me, rich gifts which I have cherished my lifetime. She taught me hard work and honesty, honesty at all costs, no in-betweens or half-ways. She taught me these qualities by her own conduct and what I suppose were disciplinary measures, which I can no longer recall. What I recall of my childhood in Chicago, U.S.A., was…

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Indentured mother of a President

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The late President of Guyana, Cheddi Jagan, was the son of indentured sugar workers. Of note is his hardworking mother, Bachoni. He wrote that he learned the elements of finance from his mother. His parents, Bachoni and Jagan (father), had arrived in the then British Guiana as young infants with their mothers from the district of Basti in Uttar Pradesh, India. Both his grandmothers came as indentured immigrants in 1901 and were “bound” by a five-year contract to different sugar plantations in the county of Berbice. Life was very hard…

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‘Create opportunities for self-development’

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Crystal is a designer and mother who believes with determination anything is possible By Utamu Belle Motherhood is nothing short of amazing, as proven by one of Linden’s top fashion designers and mother of two, Crystal Lam. At 24, Crystal, a young mother of two girls, is already a budding entrepreneur in the local fashion industry and the innovative mind behind Crystal Lam Designs. For her, motherhood is the driving force and motivation behind her success story. Crystal started off with careers in banking and public sector, but sewing and…

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Venturing into the ‘heart of Guyana’

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By Ashraf Dabie Many of us are unaware of the adventures that lie just beyond our backyards. However, with the establishment of the Pakaraima Mountain Safari, both Guyanese and tourists from abroad are given the opportunity to experience the natural beauty of Guyana. The Safari is the ideal outdoors adventure where you can explore Guyana’s mountainous regions, while learning about the rich culture of indigenous communities. The Pakaraima Mountains are said to have some of the most breath-taking views of the Guianas (Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana). Several years ago,…

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An unforgettable adventure

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The community of Rockstone, tucked away in the heart of Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice), is a scenic tourist destination with its flowing creeks, lush forest and welcoming residents. Rockstone is situated on the right bank of the Essequibo river, approximately 22 kilometres or 14 miles away from Linden. Upon arriving at this remote farming community, tourists are greeted by the friendly people living there. But the ultimate experience begins on the trail to the community. When travelling to Rockstone by road, which is highly recommended because of the adventure the…

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Spreading love through art

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Matt & Annie Arts – Turning Ideas into Reality is a business started by Courtney and Aneeza Douglas, both of whom graduated from E. R. Burrowes School of Arts with diplomas in 2011 and 2012, respectively. Together, they have won five National Arts Awards and numerous art competitions. They were married in August 2013 and have a son, Lucas Myles. Courtney is currently working at Tinninben Animation Studio, and Aneeza does commissioned artworks at home. Art plays a significant role in the lives of the Douglases. Courtney states that their…

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‘Mother’ means more than just giving birth

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By Ashraf Dabie The definition of a ‘mother’ is often limited to one who has given birth. But think about those women who go above and beyond the call of duty to care for others. Shouldn’t they be considered mothers too? We ought to give due credit to all those ‘mother figures’ who have invested all their energies and resources in improving the lives of strangers. One such individual is Joan Stephens Deveaux. Joan is a caregiver at the Godchildren Convalescent Home in Durban Backlands, Georgetown. She began her tenure…

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