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Linden’s Mashramani advocates unity of the people, not about the number of floats

Mar 01, 2025 Letters

Dear Media Team;

Mashramani, an Indigenous word meaning “celebration after hard work,” is a national festival that unites Guyanese in revelry, creativity, and cultural pride. It is a time when our people, regardless of political affiliation or geographic location, should come together in celebration. But in recent years, the glaring absence and minuscule participation of the Government and its agencies in the annual Linden Mashramani Float Parade have cast a shadow over this otherwise joyous occasion.

Since 2020, the Commemoration Committee, through the Region 10 Regional Democratic Council (RDC), has formally invited various ministries and State agencies to participate and support the event. Repeated letters have been sent, concerns have been logged even at the level of the Prime Minister and the President. Yet, the silence and inaction persist. This lack of engagement is frustrating, grossly unacceptable, and an insult to the birthplace of Mashramani.

The disparity in government support is undeniable. Across the country, especially in regions where the administration has vested political interests, Mashramani celebrations are heavily sponsored and actively supported. In contrast, Linden a region with a deep cultural and historical connection to the festival has been left to scrape by on limited regional budget allocations, which are already stretched thin. This funding must cover not just Linden’s float parade, but also national Mashramani participation, the Kwakwani parade, costume design, transportation, entertainment, refreshments, and administrative costs. The numbers simply do not add up, and the meager support from the Government reflects a broader pattern of systemic neglect.

For the past five years, the RDC has been grateful for the private sector support from companies such as Banks DIH, ExxonMobil, Alya Construction, OneComm (formerly GTT), and a few others. Their contributions have helped keep the celebration alive despite the Government’s indifference. However, private support should complement, not replace, the Government’s duty to ensure equitable distribution of resources for national events.

The stark contrast in support given to Berbice, for example, versus Linden is evident. The unfortunate reality is that Linden and Region 10, being a stronghold of the political opposition, continue to be sidelined. This perception of political bias must end.

Mashramani is not a partisan event; it is a national celebration of our collective identity. To undermine Linden’s participation in Mashramani is to disrespect the very roots of this festival.

Lindeners must not be surprised if, once again, our float parade is significantly smaller than in other regions. But as history has shown, it is not the number of floats that defines our Mashramani—it is the people. The love, unity, resilience, and strength of Linden have always made our celebrations special.

So, despite the neglect, we call on all residents of Region 10 to come out on Sunday, March 2, 2025, and celebrate with us from Bayrock Junction to Retrieve Ground. Let us remind Guyana and the Government that Mashramani was born in Linden, and no amount of marginalization will ever erase our contribution to this nation’s culture and history.

(Linden’s Mashramani advocates unity of the people, not about the number of floats)

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