Category: Features

Guyanese artist, puppeteer and arts lecturer Michael Khan, also known as ‘Ole Man Pappie’, was recently awarded notable certificates by the Guyana Cultural Association and the state of New York for his significant contribution in preserving Guyana’s cultural heritage. In an interview with  Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, the artist noted that the Guyana Cultural Association Folk Festival Award (GCA) ceremony, is an annual event in Brooklyn, NY, on Aug 28, 2013, presented awards acknowledging individuals for their work in preserving and promoting Guyanese culture and heritage. The award Khan received…

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The late Pandit Reepu Daman Persaud always emphasized the importance of children and young people pursuing education to the highest levels. Through the Reepu Daman Persaud Foundation, the pandit’s goal of aiding deserving students to help them realize their full potential is being achieved. Pandit Persaud, who was also a politician, guru to many; president and founder of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha and one who served for 41 years as a parliamentarian, made no distinction between boys and girls. It was his belief that all young people need to…

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When Indian indentured servants arrived in what was then British Guiana, they brought their rich culture and ancient traditions, which have since been maintained among the subsequent generations who have made the territory, now independent Guyana, their home. One of the most popular of these traditions has been the Diwali festival, known as the festival of lights, brought over by the Hindu indentured servants. The festival, also termed Deepavali, which means ‘a row of lights’, is now a public holiday and is celebrated on the 15th day of the Hindu…

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Guyana’s rainforest among havens for more than 400 newly discovered Amazon species Four years of scientific expeditions have found previously unknown animals and plants in the world’s largest tropical rainforests. A purring monkey, a vegetarian piranha and a flame-patterned lizard are among more than 400 new species of animals and plants that have been discovered in the past four years in the rainforests of the South America. Discovered through hundreds of scientific expeditions from 2010 to 2013, the total reaches 441 species – all new to science – that include…

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Ever since the start of Dutch colonization of Guyana, the early colonists observed that many parts of the sea coast experienced cyclical periods of erosion as well as flooding during high tides. However, since settlements were located mainly on river banks, and not along the coast, the problems of erosion and flooding were not taken seriously. But as settlements extended along the coast in the late eighteenth century, flooding of low-lying lands during high tides became a matter of concern. Also, during the periods when there was an accumulation of…

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– a Guyanese play depicting aspects of gender-based violence “When Chocolate Melts” will be held on November 9-10 at the National Cultural Centre commencing at 19:00h on both evenings. The theatrical presentation is promoted by the Indian Arrival Committee (IAC). The play, which is written and directed by Neaz Subhan, examines some thematic areas with regards to family, while emphasising the challenges faced when confronted with aspects of domestic abuse and its related effects. It juxtaposes one’s responsibility to the family, while grappling with the trauma he/she experiences from such…

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Guyanese women have years ago been instrumental in developing classical music locally. Through these passionate women, who have become cultural icons, the Guyana Music Teachers’ Association was founded. Although there were males who played a significant part in the association, the women were the backbone of the association, and built it to what it is today. One such person is the late Lynette Dolphin. She was a musician and an academic teacher who worked with the government for 60 years. She was the first secretary of the association and its…

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In April 2009, U.S. media broke the news of the flu pandemic that was spreading across the globe. The flu pandemic, which was wreaking havoc across the globe and fuelling pandemonium with air travel, was identified by the World Health Organisation as the H1N1 virus, more commonly called bird or swine flu. The U.S. Centre for Disease Control estimated the number people who perished worldwide from the 2009 H1N1 virus infection to be approximately 575,400. A disproportionate number of deaths occurred in South-east Asia and Africa, where access to prevention…

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– Donna Ramsammy James’ work has been making an impact in Italy and London Renowned Guyanese designer Donna Ramsammy James on Sunday evening launched her 2014 collection called “Muujiza wa Amani” at an event held on the lawn of her D’Urban Street home. The audience was treated to a 45-minute presentation, which featured more than 150 pieces for men and women. The atmosphere was right, with the appropriate music for the various designs. The models did a fantastic job during the presentation, captivating the hearts of those present as they…

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Despite heavy downpours, the show at the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabah’s Diwali Utsav attracted thousands who were well-entertained by Indian singers, Gunjam Singh and Jeffrey Iqbal when the event was hosted on Saturday evening at the Guyana International Conference Centre, Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown. The rain interrupted proceedings just as Singh was performing her last song for the evening. This saw attendees including President Donald Ramotar, former president Bharrat Jagdeo and Culture, Youth and Sport Minster, Dr Frank Anthony scampering for cover. The rain started with a drizzle, followed by heavy…

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