Interviews and photos by Kenesha Fraser
With Republic Day less than a week away, we asked the man and woman in the street along the Essequibo Coast how they planned to enjoy the Mashramani celebrations. Their comments follow:
Devin Ramcharran, bus conductor – `I plan to work on Mash Day because a lot of passengers will be going to and from Anna Regina and I will be able to make some money. If I have time, I will go to watch the float parade and enjoy myself a little. I went one time before and it was nice so I hope this year will be even bigger and better.’
Jason Blucher, miner – ‘I have no special plans for Mashramani this year. Because of my work schedule, I will be in the interior. If I had the opportunity, I would have travelled to Georgetown to have a great time. I’m hoping that next year I’ll be able to enjoy the Mash activities to the fullest.’
Stephen Thornhill, boat builder – ‘For Mash this year I plan to go to Georgetown and party. I might go with friends or by myself and I plan to have a good time. I went before and I had a nice time so I will go again this year. I plan to go and watch the float parade and I’m looking forward to it because I want to see how the floats will look this year.’
Bob Mahadeo, photographer – ‘Mash is a Guyanese thing. It’s a we thing and it’s our culture so I plan to celebrate it to the fullest. I will go out and have a great time with my family and I’m encouraging others to do the same as we strive to be united as one under the Golden Arrowhead. My destination for this celebration will be the Anna Regina Centre Ground where the action will be live. I know that Republic Day will be a great one this year.’
Evelyn Rose, businesswoman – ‘This year is one with a difference for me because of the passing of my mom. I plan to keep things quiet during the Mash time. I went to the celebrations before to view the floats and I had lots of fun.
If the circumstances were different, I would have gone to watch the floats and enjoy myself with my family.’
Marva Rose, businesswoman – ‘Well, I didn’t really plan anything because of the death of my mom but if the opportunity comes, I will go to Anna Regina to take part in the activities because I really want to see the floats for this year.
Sometime before, I went to see the floats and I enjoyed it.’
Wade Josiah, Sculpture Craft employee – ‘My plan is to play football on Republic Day because another football team is supposed to come to play against my team. Basically, we will sit and talk about the game and try to motivate the players to move to another level. We would also like to get the youths involved. Once time is available, I will go and look at the floats and parade in Anna Regina. I’m planning to have a great day on February 23.’
Usha Dyal, housewife – ‘I’m not certain of my plans for Mashramani this year but I want to go to the Anna Regina Centre Ground on Republic Day to watch the float parade. When I was still in school, I used to go every year to the road march and I really used to enjoy it so I’m hoping that I can have a better time now because I’m not in school anymore.’
‘I have a lot of plans for Mash this year since I’m a teacher and will be fully involved in all the activities planned. There will be the road march later in this month, the costume competition and our school is taking the students from Grade Six on a tour to Georgetown. My agenda is filled and I look forward to having a great time celebrating Mashramani under the theme Cultural Folklore; Celebrating 44.’
Gladacy Boston, self-employed – ‘I usually enjoy celebrating Mashramani and this year I plan to travel to Georgetown. I don’t really spend Republic Day in Essequibo even though I live here. I go to Georgetown to view the floats and parade. This year I want to have a fun-filled time with my friends.’
