Undying Guyanese Christmas Traditions

Dec 24, 2020 Features / Columnists, News

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By Sueann Wickham

Kaieter News – For as long as Christmas has been celebrated in Guyana, certain traditions have simply never changed. Some may have had slight tweaks as society evolved and the country came to appreciate more modern concepts, but there are many Christmas traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation.
It is no secret that Christmas cleaning is one of the biggest of them all. A Guyanese Christmas cannot kick start without a thorough house cleaning. This starts with the “cob webbing.” Guyanese both old and young would dust their houses from top to bottom even if they have been consistently maintaining tidiness for the entire year. It may seem absurd in other places, but here it’s just tradition!
There is also an order for Christmas cleaning. The cob webbing almost always has to be done first. Then, the wiping of windows starts, followed by the wiping of walls, polishing up of all that might have gotten dull during the year and then the most exciting part, “decorating,” begins.
It should also be mentioned that Guyanese rarely “put away” early. There is something about the hassle, something about the adrenaline and something about wanting to ensure everything is done perfectly.
Most people complete their decorating process in the week of Christmas or the week before, and some even prefer to do so on Christmas Eve itself. But it does not matter that it is last minute. They would stay up all night and ensure everything is done, with their houses put together in time for Christmas morning.
The next tradition is the town rush. The streets of Georgetown are usually packed with people looking to get all of their Christmas necessities, whether it is gifts, decoration items, household appliances or anything that is needed for a Guyanese Christmas.
Unfortunately, this year, persons should not have been allowed to flock the streets, like years of yore, due to the restrictions and safety precautions attached to the novel coronavirus. However, there are still many other Christmas traditions that have continued despite the current pandemic.
Masquerading is also another tradition that has been a highlight of the Guyanese Christmas for decades. As persons traverse the busy streets of Georgetown for their Christmas necessities, masqueraders are often a beautiful and jolly sight.
Fully clad in their colourful clothing, the masqueraders position themselves in the busiest parts of town as they beat lively rhythms on their drums, complemented with the flute and other instruments. They are not the best sight for some drivers since they often cause further congestion of traffic. Many masquerade bands manoeuvre between traffic which some people describe as an inconvenience, but in the end, it is still accepted as persons encourage a warm Christmas spirit.
Another tradition that is often not spoken about is the ‘brand new’ pajamas specially worn on Christmas Eve Night. Children are usually excited for this and hop into their beds early so that Christmas morning can “come faster.” Children are also not allowed to have the clock strike 12 on Christmas and they are awake. Maybe it’s the long-lived Santa Claus tales, urging them to be asleep so he can drop their gifts under the tree, but it’s definitely a tradition.
In other countries on Christmas morning, the first thing most are excited for are the gifts under the tree. While smaller children are more inclined to this in Guyana as well, it is Guyanese tradition to anticipate the Christmas breakfast we all know.
By morning, some may push it a bit later, the table is packed with traditional Christmas morning foods. This includes the pepperpot, the garlic pork, ham, ginger beer and of course some apples and grapes.
Persons switch up for their Christmas lunch, but you must see the black cake, some vegetable, Spanish, raisin or fried rice. Mashed potatoes, macaroni, roasted chicken and pork and many other delectable meals. Not forgetting that Guyanese love to eat the chicken stuffing on the side.
Boxing Day is considered a rest day when persons relax and hang with family or friends. Food from Christmas Day is usually eaten on Boxing Day because Christmas Day food in a Guyanese household is usually so much that everything almost never finishes in a day.
You would see mainly older persons taking an opportunity to rest while younger persons are inclined to take a few drinks with their friends.
Christmas in Guyana is one of the best times of year, and these undying traditions contribute to it being such a lovely time. There is never a dull Christmas in Guyana and as a country so diverse and culturally enriched, Christmas in Guyana will remain the highlight of many people’s year.

 

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