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NY Guyanese in Christmas Spirit

Dec 24, 2019 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,

The Christmas season is upon us once again. It is one of expectancy among the large New York Guyanese population numbering over a quarter million. An aura of Christmas celebration is in the air in the Guyanese and Caribbean communities in NY.
Christmas is the most celebrated of all festivals and Guyanese have been making elaborate preparations to welcome the joyous season.
The churches where Guyanese normally worship have organised nativity plays and candlelight services for Christmas Eve midnight. People are expected to go for midnight mass at the churches. Christmas Eve excitement has been at a fever pitch since Saturday last and will continue until today with baking of the cake and making other preparations for Christmas meals.
The commercial districts on Liberty, Flatbush, Jamaica, Cypress, and Westchester Avenues have been teeming with shoppers. Huge numbers of multi-coloured lights and other paraphernalia are on display in front of stores and in front of homes where Guyanese Americans reside. These brightly coloured lights, trimmings and other decorations everywhere are reminiscent of the celebrations back home.
The stores and the avenue itself are brightened for the yuletide season, well decorated with party favours and buntings comparable to any other shopping district in the city during Christmas. Christmas music at full blast emanates from many of the stores.
The aromatic smell of dainty dishes waft in the air from the restaurants and bakeries selling bread and Guyanese cakes. And the bars are doing brisk business. One can purchase virtually everything related to Christmas and end-of-year festivities at the hundreds of Guyanese and other Caribbean stores in the communities.
One can also feel the Christmas spirit in residential streets. Homes are well lit on the outside and decorated with Christmas paraphernalia – all shapes, designs, sizes and colours of lights flickering around homes and on trees. Going around the neighbourhoods, one can see an abundance of flickering multi-coloured lights, which line the exterior of homes, and even on some trees outside on the lawn.
The Christmas holiday festival transcends religions. People of all faiths celebrate the end-of-year season. Christmas lights blink near fluttering jhandis.
Businesses have held end of year parties. Virtually all Guyanese businesses, especially the real estate and law offices, had Christmas parties. Lawyer Dharmin Baichu had a lovely fete last weekend. Other businesses also held parties. The Arya Samaj USA Mandir had its annual yearend concert and dinner two weekends ago. The Senior Citizens centre also held its luncheon two weekends ago. Traditional Guyanese food, such as dhal puri and curried dishes were served along with ginger beer and mauby. Schools in Guyanese communities will close from Friday, but unlike in Guyana, there are no school parties.
Christmas in New York is not the same as being in Guyana. And many want that real Guyanese experience. They bought airline tickets for the trip home – an annual pilgrimage for many.
As Guyanese in the diaspora and in Guyana are caught up with the festivities, they should use the occasion to uplift their spirituality and show respect towards others, especially the elderly, and give to others in need. That is the essence of the spirit of the season. Happy holidays!
Yours truly,
Vishnu Bisram

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