According to a release from GAWU, the Holi festival is all-encompassing with its universal imagery, themes and symbolism. GAWU notes that the dawning of spring represents a re-birth and rejuvenation of the fields of life and living; that the fiery demise of Holika denotes the transcendence of all that is good over evil; righteousness over evil intentions and greed over covetousness.
GAWU called on its Hindu members to remember the virtues most desirable for both personal and national development as they celebrate with the symbols of the festival; the abeer, the powder, the clean water, the chowtals and the dances.
According to GAWU, agriculture, as symbolized by spring-time attention to sowing, and planting, is at the heart of the body’s representation, noting that it is easy in this regard to associate with practical aspects of Holi, whilst not ignoring the sentiments of the mythological tales.
As it joins with the disciplined voices who call for the turning away from alcohol–oriented activities, GAWU issued a caution to all devotees not to impose certain elements of their celebrations on those who do not wish to participate. The body made a call for the preservation of Holi and for devotees to truly observe the best in Hindu behaviours which can earn the respect of all Guyanese.
