By Indrawattie Natram
Danielstown village, situated between Sparta and Coffee Grove, approximately 12 miles from Charity, Essequibo, is a village with a rich history bought by freed slaves in 1840.
The village is 174 years old and is presently celebrating its 7th Homecoming. The community has a special organisation called the Concerned Citizens of Danielstown Inc, which promotes as well as plan activities to bring the people of the village, and elsewhere, together. The Concerned Citizens of Danielstown Inc, whose parent body is located in the US, is an organisation that operates within the La Belle Alliance/Windsor Castle community. The president of the local chapter is Prince Shepherd.
The fast developing community of Danielstown, with approximately 2000 residents, is today a business hub for many entrepreneurs who have played a major role in the development of the education, cultural and business sectors of the community.
Residents related that, in its initial years, an English man named Daniel, who was the owner of the sugar factory in Sparta, was very instrumental in the development of the village. As such, the village was named after him.
The village, as it has always been, is home to people of all ethnicities. According to the oldest resident of the community, Shemroy Britton, Saturday nights were special. The local shops remained opened until 11:00pm. The village of Danielstown was illuminated with bottle lamps (flambo) on the road from one end to the other.
Britton, who is in his late 80s, said music blared in the drinking shops. He noted there were three popular shops, namely: the Corner Shop, Sardar Mohamed and Sonny Teerie.
The elder recalled children could not wait to get on the road Saturday nights to get their special treats, as vendors lined off to sell traditional dishes such as black and white pudding. Additionally, persons eagerly anticipated the Christmas and Easter celebrations in the village, which were happy occasions shared with everyone.
Recently, the Concerned Citizens of Danielstown Inc planned several activities to coincide with its 14th anniversary and 7th Homecoming aimed at showcasing the predominantly African communities of Danielstown, La Belle Alliance and Windsor Castle – all on the Essequibo Coast. The homecoming is being held under the theme, “Together we will achieve”. This celebration is an annual one. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)
