Ole Higue takes to Nat’l Cultural Centre next Sunday

Jan 31, 2016 News

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By Kiana Wilburg
A most wretched curse leaves a young girl struggling to hold on to all that is pure. But the

desire for the blood of children grows a little stronger as each day passes. There is simply no turning back from the evil that has possessed her. She is doomed to become the next Ole Higue.
This is a synopsis of the plot for an upcoming Guyanese movie—Ole Higue—which is poised to take centre stage at the National Cultural Centre in grand style next Sunday (February 7).
The movie, which was written and directed by veteran music creator, Bonny Alves, and produced by his wife Charmaine Blackman-Alves, is expected to be a rich, yet cultural throwback to the good old days of the Guyanese folklore legends.
According to talented writer, Andrew A. Monroe, the Ole Higue is the Guyanese form of a human vampire, capable of discarding her skin but takes the form of an old woman living in a community. In his writings on this formidable creature, he says that at night, she transforms herself into a ball of fire, flies from her own house up into the sky and then lands on the roof of another house where there is a baby in a cradle underneath a sheet whose blood she will suck dry and then go home.
Monroe says that the suspicions of the community are soon aroused and the school children cry “Ole Higue” at her; they make chalk marks, on the bridge to her house, the door, the jalousie window. But the legend goes that she crosses these marks bravely.
“Then the community sets a trap. When the Ole Higue flies abroad another night, she finds that the baby in the cradle is clothed in a blue nightgown. There is a heap of rice grains near to the cot and the smell of asfoetida.”
He said that these cast a spell on the Ole Higue who has to count the grains of rice, and if she loses

her way, she has to start counting again. Monroe also states that the light of morning comes and the Ole Higue still has not finished counting the grains of rice.
“People burst into the room, pick up cabbage broom and begin to belabour the Ole Higue. They beat her to death, with great emotion “You gwine pay for your sins before you die” they say.”
He added that in some cases, it is believed that, “The Ole Higue waits until the early hours of the morning and when everyone is asleep; the Ole Higue sheds its human skin; then travels in a ball of fire searching for victims. The Ole Higue slips through the keyhole of the house of its chosen victim; then the Ole Higue sucks the blood of a child dry, dry, dry! Oh, the deep fear of it is enough to cause a child to remain awake all night, every night.”
One is not sure whether Alves’ production will capture all of this, but he noted during his interview with Kaieteur News that the Guyanese movie is one that will surly reinvigorate the love and reverence for this folklore.
Alves said, “I don’t want to reveal too much, but what I can say at this point is that this movie is going to be an amazing revelation about the truth to the Ole Higue Legend. In the movie, we will see this young woman struggle to live a normal life after being given the curse of the Ole Higue. She finds herself with two natures. The nature of being an Ole Higue and the nature of being human, and they are at war with each other. She finds herself desiring blood. In the end, one nature wins.”
Guyanese actor and owner of RK’s Security Services, Roshan Khan said that he is most proud of the production which is loaded with lots of action, thrills, and excitement. He too, plays a part in the movie as a senior journalist of Roraima News, documenting the horrors of the Ole Higue which has taken a hold of the Agricola Community.

“There is also lots of great acting by Guyanese actors and I am really happy to be a part of it. During our research of this folklore, we found that many people actually claim to have seen the Ole Higue or had encounters with it. It is a really exciting journey and we are excited to show our fellow Guyanese what we have been able to produce.”
Alves said that the part of the cursed young woman is being played by Abigail James while Simone Dowding will play the part of the woman who passed on the curse.
The music producer said that of all the folklore legends such as the Massacuraman and the Moon Gazer, he found the tale of the Ole Higue to be the most intriguing.
“The movie is being filmed in Agricola where I grew up, and in my childhood days, it was rumoured that we had an Ole Higue in there.  I remember we used to go and pelt down the old lady’s house in fear of her coming to suck our blood. There were some other experiences too and they have all led me to believe that it is more than just some tale or a scary Guyanese bedtime story. The Ole Higue for me is the most fascinating of all the legends.”
His wife on the other hand expressed much thanks and appreciation to all those who were involved in the production. She noted that the movie is expected to be screened in the various administrative regions as well as overseas. She said that this is in an effort to raise funds to properly compensate those who were involved in the project.
Blackman-Alves noted also that they approached the Ministry of Tourism and the Department of Culture on several occasions for financial aid for the project but have to date, only received a mere acknowledgement of their requests.
Nevertheless, she and her team are hopeful that Guyanese will turn out in their numbers to support the film when it takes centre stage at the National Cultural Centre next Sunday. They are also seeking to have the movie be part of the ostentatious activities slated for Guyana’s 50th anniversary celebrations.

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