Looks like the Afro Guyanese are celebrating their takeover of Guyana in NY. Congratulations and welcome to the two steps backwards.
Guyanese Mash down in New York
By Navindra Seoraj in New York
GUYANESE in their thousands, bedecked in colourful costumes, paraded through the streets of Brooklyn, New York on Sunday as they celebrated Mashramani in the proverbial Big Apple.
Artists Compton Babb and Christopher Taylor, who designed the 50th Independence Anniversary Logo,
hold a banner outside of the South Shore High School, Brooklyn, New York on Sunday following the Guyana Mashramani Parade
Waving tiny replicas of the Golden Arrowhead, Guyana’s national flag, the marchers showed their pride in, and patriotism for, their native country Guyana as they moved in a lively procession first
along Church Avenue, then into Ralph Avenue, before culminating at South Shore High School in Flatlands Avenue, where many more were assembled to partake in the celebrations.
Guyanese singer Terry Gajraj performing at the South Shore High School, Brooklyn, New York on Sunday
The parade afforded the Guyanese diaspora an opportunity to enjoy a typical carnival-like atmosphere that is typical of ‘Mash’, and the masqueraders were on hand to aid in transmitting that peculiar spirit.
“Mashramani – an Amerindian word which means ‘celebration after hard work’, will live out its true meaning in New York with ‘Mashramani in New York’ depicting various aspects of our culture and stages of our national journey under the theme,” the New York Guyana 50th Independence Anniversary Committee said.
And it did live up to every expectation! Many Guyanese in New York hailed the occasion as a memorable one, pointing out that it showcased Guyana’s rich cultural diversity in a single celebration.
“It has been so long since I party for Mashramani, because I left years ago; and it feels nice to see everyone coming out in their numbers and enjoying this event together,” one reveller told the Guyana Chronicle.
After the procession, Guyanese artistes Fabulous, Natural Black, Terry Gajraj and others took to the stage; and they had the crowd in a frenzy, with may jumping, cheering and hugging each other as the messages of unity and togetherness blasted from the microphones.
Attendees stand proudly with Guyana Flags on Sunday at the South Shore High School, Brooklyn, New York. Also in photo are Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson and Guyana’s Permanent Ambassador to the United Nations, Ambassador George Talbot
A vendor displays Guyanese products outside of the South Shore High School, Brooklyn, New York on Sunday
Many passersby could not resist joining in the celebrations!
During the celebration, the Buxton Steel Pan Group was honoured for its performance at the recent Interfaith Ceremony.
Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, and his Cabinet colleague, Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, who were in the proverbial thick of things, lauded the New York Independence Anniversary Committee for their work, and expressed joy in seeing the cohesiveness of the Guyanese diaspora.
They danced and enjoyed every aspect of the event.
Seasoned Guyanese diplomat George Talbot, who also joined in the celebration, said the event was a major success, as it brought many Guyanese together.
Guyanese beauties stand proudly at the South Shore High School, Brooklyn, New York on Sunday
