Guyanese in Antigua celebrate ‘Mash’ last Sunday

Feb 28, 2018 News

By Sean Devers in Antigua
The 83,000 square-mile South American Country, Guyana celebrates its Republic Anniversary with its annual ‘Mashramani’ activities on February 23 and Guyanese living on 108 square-mile island of Antigua celebrated Mash last Sunday, two days after Guyana’s Mash celebrations.
More than 3,000 Guyanese living in Antigua gathered to observe Guyana’s 48th Anniversary as a Republic with a day of fun and frolic for the entire family.
Sunday’s event was organised by a private promoter and endorsed by the Guyana Consular of Antigua, Bobby Reis. As usual, the event attracted a large turn-out of Antigua’s second largest population.
The event officially began around 17:00hrs at the Johnson’s Village Playfield, with the Antigua and Barbuda National Anthem being played before Guyana’s National Anthem.
There were several booths selling a wide variety of Guyanese dishes. There were dhal, curry, pepper-pot, cook-up rice, pholourie, cassava balls and many more. There were booths that sold souvenirs like Guyana Caps, T-Shirts and other memorabilia.
There are over 10,000 documented Guyanese living in Antigua; and the event which climaxed around mid-night in unusually cold weather and high winds for this time of the year included activities for the young, the old and the in-betweens.
Guyana is a melting pot of all races and religions and this was reflected by the turn on Sunday, although with a little less diversity than in Guyana.
There was a ‘Bouncy Castle’ and Donkey Cart rides for the children; live entertainment, including live performances from Guyana-born Antiguan Reggae artiste, ‘Promise’ among others. There was also the best Guyana costume contest.
Reis, whose office is on Suite 4 at Corner Corn Alley and Long Street in St. John’s, told the gathering that he and the Government of Antigua and Barbuda are constantly in talks about the concerns of Guyanese Nationals living and working in Antigua.
They discuss immigration issues like the status of those who came here as little children in light of the USA President’s views on the ‘dreamers’ situation.
Leader of the Antigua Labour Party, Gaston Browne, who became Prime Minister on June 13, 2014,was also one of the speakers and assured the Guyanese that once they were properly documented, respected and upheld the Laws of Antigua, they would have all the rights of those born in Antigua since there were no second class citizens there.
Prime Minister Browne, who has called National Elections for March 21, congratulated the Guyanese on their home country’s Republic Anniversary and took the opportunity do a bit of campaigning; telling the Guyanese to vote wisely; comparing his Administration’s achievements with those of the opposition.
Elections were not due until next year but the Prime Minister explained that he called the ‘snap elections’ to protect recent investments of huge sums of money by Government. He then sang a Guyanese song.
Mr Reis told Kaieteur News that the Mash Event which was previously organised by ‘Guyana Society’ is a means for Guyanese living in Antigua to celebrate their country’s Republic Anniversary together, adding that his job is to ensure that Guyanese, who are now living here, are treated in a fair and just manner like everyone else.

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