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Phagwah brings people together
Dear Editor,
There are many messages behind Phagwah. The one that inspires me the most is the coming together of people of different political parties, religions and races.
Guyana is one of the few countries where politicians of the various parties come together to observe a festival that is somewhat religious and ethnic in nature.
No one feels left out and everyone enjoys the festivities or jamboree – beverage, food, music, dance, etc.
Holi is a time to bury the hatchet. People of all races and religions come together to celebrate the festival because goodness and love are not exclusive to any one ethnic group, hence the need for the participation of all the groups in Guyana’s celebrations.
This festival of colours has indeed transcended all barriers and is enjoyed and celebrated by all with equal zest and vitality with Africans, Indians, Mixed, and Amerindians all into the mosaic.
Indeed over the years people from of all races partake in the festivities. And non-Indians, non-Hindus enjoy the treats (dishes) that are prepared for the occasion.
People of all ages and religions come out to smear colour on one another and to rejoice in music, dance, and food.
Partaking in the celebration shows respect and appreciation for each other’s culture. Holi involves the lighting of bonfires to signal the coming of a new season as well as to symbolize the destruction of wicked actions and thoughts.
Everything evil and bad is burnt and we are supposed to cleanse our mind of evil and entertain good deeds. Let us burn the hatred in us for others.
The variety of colours, noise and entertainment that accompany the celebration bear witness to a feeling of oneness of a nation. The festival also provides for healing among foes and groups bringing people together to help reduce tensions.
It should be noted that Holi comes with a change in season – a change in the colour of leaves that arrive in spring as the winter fades away – bringing with it a vibrancy of life.
In India, after the harvest of grains, beans and spices, the winter season is ending and spring is bursting forth bringing with it new life. The vibrant spring colours brighten the atmosphere bringing forth a joyous feeling. People celebrate the season with a bounty of colourful abeer reflecting the new colours in the environment.
As someone penned, “With bright blooming flowers and the golden shining rays of the sun, the time is perfect to colour the atmosphere with the fun filled hues of abundance of colours of abeer, gulal, abrack and powder”.
In Guyana and in other places where Guyanese have settled, celebrants indulge in the variety of colours.
Holi marks the joyful spirit of the love and respect people have for each other. The spraying of the abeer and the singing of folk songs and dancing are aspects of the demos of that love.
Shubh Holi! Phagwah hai, as we used to say in my youthful years.
Vishnu Bisram
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