Much irony lies within our Mashramani Celebration

Feb 07, 2023 Letters

Dear Editor,

Last week I came across a Children’s Mash Competition video , at 1st glance I got excited. The children were beautifully attired in the colours of our flag, the Guyana colours; and I was even more excited that they were having fun and seemed very much into their performances. BUT I became distracted by the reverberation of Afrobeats.

I had questions:
1. Is Mash a Guyanese thing or an everybody, every country celebration?

2. Why is the use of creative pieces from Guyanese yet to be outlined as a criterion for participation?

3. How is afro-beats and creative pieces from foreigners pushing our Guyanese identity, culture and people?

4. Are our “Cultural Ambassadors” as the organisers, genuinely missing or actively ignoring the promotional opportunities of our culture where our national celebrations are concerned?

I would assume the original intention behind our celebration/s is linked to emphasizing and reinforcing our culture. But, our displays this year and years past have been conveying otherwise for the most part – very little alignment. I believe we are beyond the times where we could excuse this continuation. It would even be a BIG LIE if we were to think that there isn’t enough creative pieces from our very own Guyanese which could be utilised. So much has been happening in our creative industries YET SO LITTLE is being done to promote these efforts and our culture.

If we have changed or are changing the original objective of Mashramani, for the Guyanese culture and people, “Cultural Ambassadors” please inform the public. If we have not/are not, again “Cultural Ambassadors” please let us be more intentional about every Mash plan being made going forward.

Regards,
S. Edghill.

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