Mashramani must undergo a thorough reevaluation and reimagining

Feb 25, 2024 Features / Columnists, Peeping Tom

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Kaieteur News – Yesterday, workers were busy cleaning up the mess left behind by those who went out to watch and indulge in the annual Mashramai Float Parade. But it is the Parade itself that needs cleansing of its proclivity towards lewdness

A woman wearing a short shirt or a plunging neckline, both of which cover more than they reveal, will have a sexy allure. The secret to being sexy is to leave sufficient to the imagination. On the other hand, baring it all and leaving very little to the imagination is not sexy at all. It is downright vulgar and lewd.

On Friday, Guyanese revelers took to the streets to display their colourful costumes and to have a good time. The vast majority of these revelers will stay within the pale and show that you can have a good time without being vulgar. However, a great many will overdo things and reduce the revelry to an orgy of lewdness.

The problem is not just one of revealing garments. It is no longer just the question of the skimpy clothes, even though some of the revelers wear far less than they would normally do at home. The problem extends to what has been aptly described by one person as ‘simulated sex’.

It all started very innocently with exaggerated waist and hip movements called “wining”. Then the “backball” became popular. The “backball” has now been superseded by what I can only describe as crass lewdness. I have seen women raising one of their feet in the air and displaying their private parts for all to see. It is ‘simulated sex’ at its worst. It is disgusting.

The vulgarity and lewdness are becoming more pronounced on Mash Day. Sometimes, I wonder how some of the women folk who engage in these lewd displays are able to face their peers after the event is over.

I wonder if they ever stop to think about the example they are setting for the children. I am saddened also when I see children also engaging in some of these provocative dances.

I believe that it was out of concern about the vulgarity on display during Mash Day revelries that, years ago, the Christian Churches decided to take to the streets. The intention, I suspect, was to try to show that clean fun could be enjoyable and that Guyanese can enjoy themselves without having to resort to public exhibitions of vulgarity and lewdness.

But the effort by the churches could not be sustained. Clearly, they were unable to bring about any changes, presuming that was the intention.

On another front, the non-traditional churches have been in the forefront of popularizing gospel music, and that music is evolving.  Gospel music is now done to the beats of soca and chutney music.

Gospel concerts are now filled to capacity. Undoubtedly the largest event held during Carifesta was a gospel concert at the Guyana National Stadium. It is disappointing that we have had Mashramani chutney, calypso, soca and dancehall competitions but not gospel-singing competition.

Gospel music is now a global industry, churning out songs in all genres. Religious lyrics are now even being sung in hip-hop. I predict that gospel music will eventually become the fastest growing segment in the music sector.

But there is also the issue of how representative Mashramani is of the diversity of our Guyanese culture. If Mashramani observances are to truly represent the diversity and richness of Guyanese culture, the entire festival needs to be revamped. It needs a complete makeover, and not simply a tinkering.

Mashramani falls woefully short in encompassing all aspects and segments of the nation’s heritage. To achieve its potential as a national festival, it must celebrate the entirety of Guyana’s cultural tapestry. This means incorporating elements from various ethnic groups, traditions, and regions across the country.

Masramani is a palpably poor imitation of Trinidad’s carnival rather than an authentic expression of Guyanese identity. This copycat approach undermines the festival’s authenticity. Mashramani must undergo a thorough reevaluation and reimagining.

Mashramani must be refashioned to become a national celebration, rooted in Guyana’s history and culture. By revamping the observances, Mashramani can emerge as a distinct and vibrant expression of Guyanese pride and unity.

The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports should have nation-wide consultations as part of a process of rethink and reinventing the festival’s structure, content, purpose, organization and ensuring that it reflects the true essence of Guyana and serves as a unifying force for all its citizens.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of this newspaper and its affiliates.)

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• costumes, Guyanese, imagination, Mashramai Float Parade, reevaluation

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