Masquerade is an important part of our heritage – Minister Anthony

Feb 06, 2014 News

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Other the years the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports has been able to garner significant support from a number of agencies interested in the preservation and sustainability of cultural rudiments.
Over the years there has been an evident decline in interest and participation in steel pan music and masquerade, and much has been done to reinvigorate these two Guyanese art forms. One partner that has assisted the efforts of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports is UNESCO.
Through UNESCO, the Ministry via the National School of Music benefited from a US $18,000 grant which saw funds being made available for the acceleration of activities to reinvigorate steel pan music and masquerade.
Today several pieces of equipment including tapes, DVD players, steel pans and learning materials on masquerade and steel bands were handed over to the MCYS by UNESCO Representative IngeNatoo.
The simple ceremony was held at the Music School on Brickdam.
This project will train forty youths in the area of music with specific emphasis on the steel band art form and Masquerade Band since in communities where the art forms could thrive there was a lack of access to instruments. In this regard, the project provides the platform for the transfer of knowledge and develop a new community youth steel band in Region 3, and two masquerade bands in Regions 10 and 2.
Both art-forms have had a long rich tradition in Guyanese society and forms a unique part of our cultural heritage, and research has shown that one of the main reasons for this decline is the lack of transition of information, skills and practical knowledge from seniors involved in the art-form to youths in the society.
With regard to masquerade, the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Dr. Frank Anthony emphasized that people should stop looking down on the art form. “We have had our own challenges with the propagation of the masquerade art form and over the years we have been trying to encourage more people to get involved in masquerade bands…a lot of people look down on the art form and perhaps they are not familiar with the history and why we have this art form, but people who are cognizant of the art form would recognize that this is an important part of our heritage,” he emphasized.
Minister Anthony noted that this art form was passed down through the generations since the days of slavery hence it is important for the art form to be continuously passed out to the younger generation.
This is critical because these elements (culture and traditions) defines and identifies a nation, “and if we allow them to be extinguished then we would lose that identity,” the Minister stressed.
He explained that masquerade is more than what meets the eye and the nation cannot afford for these elements to disappear; hence the importance of the project. Further, the Minister posited that if the techniques are understood then the art form would be more appreciated and embraced.
In this regard, the production of the DVD and manual makes it easier to share the knowledge since they can be reproduced and distributed beyond the target groups. Minister Anthony also suggested that the content be placed on the Ministry’s website and youtube for further reach.
Minister Anthony highlighted that in steel pan a lot has been done and this is evident in the distribution of steel bands to schools and communities. This has resulted in the emergence of more school and community bands who participate in the annual steel pan competition during Mash celebrations.
The Minister also called for the need for more partners in this regard. Republic Bank has been one of the main partners thus far.
Minister Anthony is also calling on the public to support events where there are steel pan and masquerade performances. One such activity will be held in Ann’s Grove on February 9 where, as part of Mash celebrations, a flounce off will be held, and several steel pan concerts will be held around the country.
The Ministry also received assistance from UNESCO for the digitalization project at the National Archives.
Students will have access to the best available human resources and be exposed to an environment that is conducive to learning. The two main resource persons in this regard are Andrew Tyndale from the Music School and Tr. Linda Griffith from the National School of dance. They worked on the production of the student manuals for both courses which will be given to all participants.
A DVD was also produced and will be circulated to the various Regions so as to encourage participation and increase appreciation of the art forms.
Tr.Linda noted that even though the masquerade tradition is diminishing, it is still a cherished tradition. She further added that the masquerade fraternity has been doing Guyana proud overseas. She also emphasized that the art form is not being passed on to younger generation as such the grant from UNESCO is welcomed.
This, she emphasized, sets the stage for a good future in masquerade as teachers and students would be exposed to learning materials about the art form. It is anticipated that more masquerade bands would emerge to facilitate better competitions. The Education Ministry’s children Mash competitions include a category for masquerade.
Beneficiaries of the initiative were selected from Regions 2, 4 and 10. The project also ensures gender inclusiveness as forty percent of the participants being female.
UNESCO office Director in Guyana, IngeNatoo in her presentation explained that the handing over of the equipment and materials is in the first quadrennium of the Medium Term Strategy 2014-1021 promotes the pivotal role of culture, heritage and creativity as a means of achieving sustainable development and peace.
“It will do so by implementing strategic objectives 7 ‘protecting, promoting and transmitting heritage’ and 8 ‘fostering creativity and diversity of cultural expressions’ through two main lines of action and seven expected results, in order to demonstrate the power of culture as a driver and enabler of peace and sustainable development through the organization’s flagship programmes and standard-setting instruments,” she said.
In recent times Guyana has received considerable assistance and capacity building under the several UNESCO Conventions. These include the 2005 UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. This Convention was acceded to in 2009 and work is ongoing on the Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage and the Convention on the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage.
Additionally, in 1977 Guyana accepted the 1972 Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage.

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