It is always interesting to study traditional festivals, their place in a society and how they are continually affected by time and geography. Of increasing influence on these festivals in contemporary times is the popular culture, a very powerful social factor in the Caribbean today.
A good example of these is Phagwah which is celebrated as a national holiday in Guyana tomorrow. What happens tomorrow, however, is only the culmination of a series of events and activities that make up the Phagwah festival. But still, many persons refer to the long line of observances that run up until today as ‘Pre-Phagwah,’ suggesting that they are parts of the preparation for the celebrated day or things that are done before the actual festival itself. However, most of these go beyond ‘preparation’ and are integral components of the tradition and practice, making it not one day, but a full festival of much longer duration.
Phagwah is widely known as a religious festival observed in India where it originated, and around the world in the Indian diaspora wherever Hindus live. It is also called Holi. This festival is sacred to the Hindu religion and has all the characteristics of religious festivals that have private rituals exclusive to devotees as well as a
