Berbice, E.C.D. communities forge lasting bond in joint celebration

Apr 29, 2018 News

Several communities created history recently when they forged a bond of friendship that could last for generations.
The historic event was marked by residents of Golden Grove, Nabaclis and Haslington on the East Coast Demerara travelling to West Coast Berbice communities of Golden Grove, Lovely Lass and Onverwagt for a joint celebration on April 21st.
Most of the people of the areas are descendants of emancipated slaves who purchased sugar plantations from their former owners after slavery was abolished and established villages comprising the respective areas.
The East Coast Demerara community was established in 1848.
Phyllis Peters led the west Berbice group who hosted the occasion at the famous Watergate location owned by Dennis Webster and his wife. Peters is the Chairperson of the Community Development Council (CDC) of Golden Grove-Lovely Lass-Onverwagt and councillor of the Union-Naarstigheid Neighbourhood Democratic Council. She was ably assisted with the hosting of activities by Pastor Seonid Richmond, who blessed the inaugural bonding occasion with prayers.

Residents from the East Coast Demerara and Berbice communities

Pastor Richmond is also the secretary of the CDC and Vice Chairperson and councilor of the same Neighbourhood Democratic Council.
Other representative members of the host residents included Veronica Ince, Annie Archer, Marlon Peters, Roxanne Raghubeer, Odetta Gordon, Olive Williams, Edith Fraser and several youth groups.
The representatives visiting East Coast Demerara residents included Ingrid Holder, Beverly Grant- Stephens, Michelle Garnett, Simone Anderson, Victor Perreira and Donald Trotman who are executive members of the Golden Grove- Nabaclis–Haslington concerned Citizens Group; Leslie Blair, Shondel Williams, Ernest Williams, Carl McLeod, Shanica Thomas, Joel Maison, and several youths.

Trees planted to signifying the growing bonds between the communities.

The highlight of the occasion was the ceremonial earthing of young fruit and flower plants in the three villages of the Berbice community, symbolising the hope of growing friendship and bond between the two communities. These plants were brought as gifts by the East Coast Demerara residents, and it is expected that similar symbolic gifts and ceremonial planting will be done when the Berbice residents come to Demerara in a return visit in July of this year.
There was plenty to eat and drink with generous servings of traditional cookup, conkie, pone and mauby provided by the Berbicians.

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