Sept.25 Vol 2 AMERINDIAN HERITAGE MONTH · 2012-09-06 · Margaret Lawrence, Francis Quamina Farrier. Please join our Facebook group, Website: GCA Secretariat 1368 E.89 Street, Suite

Sept.252012Vol 2Issue 9

Guyana Cultural Association of New York Inc.on-line Magazine

AMERINDIAN HERITAGEMONTHEmbracing our Identity, Celebrating our Culture

Guyana Cultural Association of New York Inc. on-line Magazine

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Meh mudda sen meh to school,de teecha call meh a fool. De chil’ren tell meh to wine,but instead ah develop meh mind.

Greetings! September is educationmonth. As classes resume amid anxietiesabout placement in a good school,high tuition costs and other concerns,let’s hope for a productive year ofchampioning social, political andpersonal challenges, guided by themotto: Knowledge is power.

In reflecting on your accomplish-ments and making plans for thefuture, you are urged to re-examinethe things we learn to value in edu-cation, from “Li’l ABC” to College,while encouraging and embolden-ing our youth to be ambitious, yethumble. This will ensure that theywould not merely survive but suc-ceed by solving problems creatively,and build communities, drawingfrom science, technology, the artsand cultural studies. As formerSecretary of State noted, “we needto have high standards for our stu-dents – self-esteem comes fromachievement and not from lax stan-dards and false praise”. The UnitedNations International Literacy Day(September 8th) is an apt dedicationto the importance of global educa-tion.

We sincerely hope that you had anenjoyable summer. The Guyana

Cultural Association of New York ispleased to acknowledge anothersuccessful period of promoting cul-tural heritage, culminating with aLabor Day weekend of exciting con-temporary and nostalgic expres-sions. Additional events have beenscheduled, namely: the PerformingArts dinner theater; the ArtExhibition; and Symposium. The latterwill be held in Guyana in earlyDecember. It was heartening to seethrongs of people of various ethnici-ties, nationalities and geographiclocations attending the events.Particularly enlightening this yearwas the exquisite performance ofthe children, who delighted, mes-merized and educated their audienceson cue, with songs and rhythmicdances promoting the theme -Masquerade Lives! These courageousyoungsters and theirparents/guardians must be congratu-lated for their unwavering contribu-tion.

Thanks for your avid support. Wehope that once again we provided aforum for cultural edification, remi-niscing and networking. This NewsLetter includes articles on educa-tion; the GT visit by one of Guyana’seducational stalwarts, E.R.Braithwaite; the Inter -GuianaFestival; challenges faced byCaribbean immigrant students;Amerindian Heritage Month; TheCaribbean-American Labor DayParade; reports on GCA events andactivities; a special tribute to thechildren of GCA, and more.

Walk Good!

Lear Matthews.September Editor.

IN THIS ISSUEPAGE 2: Thank You for your supportPAGE 6: The Children’s VillagePAGE 8-9: Dreams of Campers in STEMPAGE 1O-11: Enchanter’s Visit to NYPAGE 12-13 Kwe Kwe NitePAGE 14: Artist Jonathan LockePAGE 16: Labor Day in BrooklynPAGE 18-21: Family Day in PicturesPAGE 22-23: Celebrating Amerindian MonthPAGE 24: Dr. Juliet EmanuelPAGE 26: Rodrick F. DaleyPAGE 28: Challenges of Caribbean

Immigrant StudentsPAGE 29:London 2012 to Rio 2016PAGE 30-31: Symposium 2012PAGE 32: Andre Sobryan

Lear Matthews - Editor

Cover Design - Claire Goring

Copy Editors- Edgar Henry & Lear Matthews

Layout and Design by Claire A. Goring & Ashton Franklin

Contributors:Juliet Emanuel, Edgar Henry,Claire Goring, Cosmo Hamilton , Lear Matthews, Muriel Glasgow,Rose October-Edun & Verna

Walcott-White,Peter Halder, Yekini PlanteFrancis Quamina Farrier.

PhotographsDennis Braithwaite

Andrew Burton, PicasaErrol Anderson, Lars Baron

Muriel Glasgow, Natasha Azeez

GCA Media TeamAve Brewster-Haynes (Chairperson), Juliet Emanuel, Edgar Henry,Lear Matthews, Claire A. Goring,Muriel Glasgow, Ashton Franklin,

Margaret Lawrence, Francis Quamina Farrier.

Please join our Facebook group, Website: www.guyfolkfest.org

GCA Secretariat1368 E.89 Street, Suite 2Brooklyn, NY 11236Tel: 718 209 5207

SEPTEMBER ISEDUCATIONMONTHKNOWLEDGE ISPOWER

GUYANA FOLK FESTIVAL 2012

THANK YOUFOR YOUR SUPPORT

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As we, the Executive Committee and Board members look back over the events of the 2012 season, werecognize and acknowledge the unstinting support that has been given this organization by various

members of the community. As we enter our second decade of fulfilling our mission to preserve, propa-gate and promote the culture of the multiethnic, single voiced people of Guyana, we know that without

you and your generosity we would be hard pressed to excel at what we do. When we called, youanswered and we extended our hands to you, also, in reciprocity and cooperation. Therefore, on behalf of

The Guyana Cultural Association, Inc., may we express our gratitude to you, our friends and supporters, old and new, individuals and institutions. Your subsidizing of our mission is a testament to your faith in us.


As we celebrate 11 years of existence of the GuyanaCultural Association of New York, it is imperative for usto express sincerest gratitude to all our dedicatedpatrons near and far. We have to stop in our tracks, backup, regroup and give honor where honor is due.

We remember the cleansing of the ten lepers in theBible by Jesus Christ. Only one returned to say Thanksand Jesus’ words were as follows: - “Were they not tencleansed, where are the nine?”

Since we still have a few more events in the PerformingArts dinner theatre, the Art Exhibition and the Sympo-sium scheduled for early December in Guyana, as issaid in radio “We pause for Station Identification.” Wethe members of GCA take this opportunity to conveyspecial THANKS to all for the remarkable amount ofwork, support and invaluable contribution expended inthe production of a really fantastic Season this yearunder our slogan “Masquerade Lives.”

We are indeed overwhelmed by the ‘Feedback’ responsesto date. As we proudly claim success, we could nothave achieved our goals without your support, guidanceand input. We pledge to continue our mission to preserve,promote and propagate the culture of Guyana, for sus-tainability. Our persistence and presence here in theDiaspora without a doubt have aroused the traditionsof a paradise lost, around the globe, and with your helpand dedication we will prosper and continue toachieve our objectives with success and pride.

Without our sponsors and advertisers:- Western UnionPay-O-Matic; Digicel; Laparkan Group of Companies;Metroplus Health Plan; Caribbean Airlines; DemeraraDistillers; Delta Airlines; Princess Hotel – Guyana; Sybil’sRestaurant and Bakery; Demerara Engineering; ClarinsUSA Fragrance Group; Anything Guyanese FacebookGroup; Flatlands Reformed Church; The Guyana Tri-State Alliance; Guyana Talk; Parkway Pharmacy;Caribbean Vision Center; Andrew Serentino Funeral Service;Sidewalk café and Jazz Club – Guyana; Raphael Real

Estate – Guyana; The New York Tutor-ial Support Group; ImpressionsDance Theatre; One CaribbeanRadio; Bishops High School Alumni;Emeralds Group Family Day Care;Merriman Funeral Home – Guyana;Exit Realty; Cheddi (Joey) Jagan Den-tistry - Guyana; Sip N Chat CocktailLounge; R&D Realty Consultants;Stewart Engineering Services; HQLounge; St. Albans Maypole ChurchGroup; Chronicle Atlantic Steel

Orchestra; Children’s Village Art & Craft CommunityCenter Tent; The mighty Enchanter; Carl Guilliams; KavitaNaidu; Fashions by Sonia Noel; Djenne Boutrin; SelwynCollins; Hilton Hemmerding; Akoyaw Rudder; EzieRockliffe; Wayne Daniels; Winston “Jeggae” Hoppie;Michelle “Big Red” King, Ruddie Daley and the staff atProspect Heights High School; GCA Summer HeritageCampers; Chairmaine Blackman; Masquerade FlashMob plus all other participants and advertisers wecould not have accomplished our goals.

To our elected officials: The Office of the Brooklyn BoroughPresident Marty Markowitz ;The New York State DemocraticLeader and also from the 19th Senatorial District inBrooklyn - Senator John Sampson; Councilmember rep-resenting the 40th District in Brooklyn MathieuEugene; Councilmember representing the 45th Districtin Brooklyn Jumaane Williams and our New York StateSenator - Kevin Parker from the 21st. Senatorial District.Consul General of Guyana the Honorable BrentnoldEvans and, Dr. Rose and Dr. Frank Anthony from theMinistry of Culture, Youth & Sports in Guyana. Thankyou all very much for the enormous amount of workthat you each contributed in order to make the 2012Guyana Folk Festival a success story. The alacrity withwhich everyone worked was amazing. Our LiteraryHang; The Caribbean Summer Heritage Camp; theAwards Ceremony; Kwe Kwe night and Family Fun dayproduced a lot of pluses.

The volunteer professionals in every category whotook time out of their busy schedules to impart knowledgeand to freely give their services to our events are touch-ing experiences for us all. We must admit that we didencounter some trying times, but they were overshad-owed by the goodness of your hearts.

We once again express sincerest thanks and apprecia-tion to all.

THANK YOU FORYOUR SUPPORT

A MEMORABLE 2012 FOLK FESTIVAL SEASON4

Edgar Henry

FOLK FESTIVAL 2012: MASQUERADE LIVES


Elrich A. EastmanCommunity Service


FOLK FESTIVAL 2012: MASQUERADE LIVES

5ANYTHING GUYANESEFACEBOOK GROUP

SENATOR KEVIN PARKER AND CONSUL GENERALBRENTNOLD EVANS WITH ARTIST JOHNATHAN

LOCKE AND DEAN OF PROSPECT HEIGHTSSCHOOL, RODRICK DALEY

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When about four years ago concernabout the dangers children may incurin running around the grounds used

for Family Fun Day were raised at meeting ofGCA, the idea of promoting a tent dedicated tochildren and youth was discussed. This initia-tive became a reality in 2010. In that year,because of an unavailability of space the workof the summer camp was moved to Family FunDay with the approval of its sponsors.

The Children Village has been a huge successfrom the first. Placed within hearing distance ofthe FFD stage, the tent provides recreation andrespite for children and adults. It has alsoserved as a meeting place for the Maypoledancers and their care givers and a distributionpoint for Metroplus.

This year however, the tent went much beyondits initial purpose as a place for arts and craftsand child appropriate entertainment for chil-dren. In short order, the tent became a meetand greet spot; a general sitting area for thoseadmiring and enjoying the performances of themaypole dancers and the activities run byAnything Guyanese; a distribution point for t-shirts; a place of rest and refreshment for wearyadults; a changing room, a refreshment and giftstation for the children: snacks, cake, water,drinks and the extremely popular Metroplussponsored gifts and popcorn vending machine;a place for safe storage of personal items and,last but certainly not least, an impromptu pet-ting zoo (thank you, Spitzer).

Within this lively space arts and crafts were stilloffered and enjoyed. A very young FFD fan, onbeing told that that period was over, remarkedthat she could see paints. Result: materialswere put promptly at her disposal for herdelighted use.

While the focus of the spot remains activitiesfor the children, clearly in 2012, the Children'sVillage became Community Center. A proudgrandparent suggested that a committee beformed to discuss the activities for the chil-dren, not only in the tent itself but also in gen-eral.

All to the good; stagnation heralds disintegration.

THE CHILDREN’S VILLAGEA SAFE PLACE FOR ARTS & CRAFT AND CHILDAPPROPRIATE ENTERTAINMENT FOR CHILDREN

FOLK FESTIVAL FAMILY FUN DAY 2012

Juliet Emanuel

FOLK SONGS & RINGPLAY SONGS

Folk Songs grow out of theeveryday human experienceof living and dying, working

and playing. These songscome from a variety of social

and ethnic backgrounds;they spring from work situa-

tions and from differentsocial and religious activities.Ring Play Songs are usuallysung by children on moon-

light nights in the ruralareas, or during recreation

periods at school or athome.

On Your CarpetOn your carpet, you must be,Like de roses on your knee,Bright an’ shining you mus’ be

an’ show me de wan you love de bes’

When I marry I give you de ring,Firs’ de girl and second de boy,

Sunday, Monday afternoon,We will spend our honeymoon.

Ole Man House on FireOl’ man house on fiah,

ol’ man run away,He run foh de police

to fetch de watah,To out de fiah dung day,

Iskalady, shoo, shoo, shoo,Iskalady, shoo, shoo, shoo;

An’ ah wipe skalady, face skala-dy, wipe skalady face,

An’ she fell dung, fell dung;an she fell dung, fell dung,An she fell in de ocean too.


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PLAITING THEMAYPOLE

FOLK FESTIVAL FAMILY FUN DAY 2012

EGG & SPOON RACE HULA HOOP

CHILDREN’S VILLAGE ACTIVITIES

Small days is still on me min’Small days is a good, good time;Me neighba had some little children,When dey singin’ and dey dancingah does really admiah dem.

Science Week” at the GuyanaCultural Association HeritageSummer Camp is an essen-

tial part of the curriculum. Howdo we connect, or how shouldwe connect with, and supportour children at a very young agein their dreams and imagination?How can we contribute to releasingthe genius within each child?These are all critical questions intheir pursuit of a career. Partici-pants in the 2012 Summer Campwere engaged in various scienceeducation discussions and props.

To peak their interests and moti-vate them toward a successfuloccupational career, we shouldbegin by asking them -Whatwould you like to become whenyou grow up? And follow upwith - Why? Some of the responsesto these questions at the Campwere: A Vet; Meteorologist; Astro-naut; Olympian; Builder; Actor;Fashion Designer; Pilot. This wasfollowed by a discussion of thereasons for choosing the respectivecareers. The ensuing conversa-tions and interactions in class

revolved around the dreamsof two students. The child’sanswer holds the key to unlock-ing/addressing a communicationblock which usually existsbetween parents, guardians, familiesand children, especially thosechildren under six. Their reason-ing as to why they would like tobecome whatever they envisionat the moment should providethe parent or guardian with awindow on their yearnings.

Of course, there are children whochange their mind constantly.One reason might be that there isthe lack of communication ormisunderstanding about the clarityof and support for the dream. Itis critical for parents or guardiansto withhold criticism or ridiculeof their aspirations, even if theparent or guardian does not haveany understanding or knowledgeof the career choice of the child.It cannot be reiterated enoughthat parents, guardians and a sup-port system are critical for childrento dare to dream and to dreambig and bold, whether or not the

parent has a clue as to the scopeof the dream or hope or aspirationof the child.

Parents and guardians should doall they can to interact with andbe more supportive of a dream.They can mobilize support forthe child to become increasinglyaware of the implications of thedream and what each childwould have to do to make it pos-sible. The recent Olympic Games(30th Olympiad, London 2012)helped personify the importanceof having a support system toenergize our children to realizetheir dreams of becoming thebest athlete in their field ofendeavor, viz Gabby Douglas,who dreamed of becoming thebest in gymnastics, and withparental and other support, wonthe gold.

Dreams andCareers ofCampers in

STEM

THE IMAGINATION AND CREATIVITY UNIT (ICU)

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS

FOLK FESTIVAL 2012: “MASQUERADE LIVES”

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Muriel Glasgow


9GCA HERITAGE

SUMMER CAMP

2012


10 FOLK FESTIVAL 2012: “MASQUERADE LIVES”

Joseph Burgan-Trotman "The Mighty Enchanter" was aguest of the Guyana Cultural Association of New YorkInc. during the recent Family Fun Day event over the

Labor Day week at the Prospect Heights High SchoolCampus Grounds.

Enchanter arrived from Guyana the morning of the eventand was taken directly to the venue. This was his first visitto the United States. The 73 year old calypso veteran wasinvited by GCA to receive his Achievement Award andperform at the Family Day cultural show. With hardly anytime to rest, he performed admirably after just a 10minute rehearsal with maestro Hilton Hemerding. Playingit safe, with his passport and return ticket in a guardedpouch around his neck, Enchanter simply delighted andcertainly enchanted the capacity crowd with his uniquekaiso style. After his performance he was very humble inhis warm remarks and with tears in his eyes said, "This isa dream which I never thought would happen and I amoverwhelmed."

Enchanter's trip to New York to the 2012 Folk Festivalwas made possible by the hard work and the commit-ment of a number of persons: Margaret Lawrence whocoordinated everything for his visit and who also madeevery effort to include Masquerader Trevor Blackett andflautis Rudolph Vivieros popularily known as “Putagee.”Because of matters far beyond her control, the latter twodid not make it.

There are some other folks who must be commended ingetting Enchanter here. To Dr. Rose from the Ministry ofCulture, who facilitated getting the Visa, our thanks foryour efforts; to Junior Horatio of Delta Airlines who wasinstrumental in getting Enchanter a flight from Guyanaduring a hectic airline season, we appreciate that you arealways willing to assist us when necessary. Our thanks toCaribbean Airlines - Sonja Jardine-Nanton, for sponsoringthe NY- GEO leg of his travel and to Anything Guyanesefor facilitating this sponsorship. Our appreciation toDesiree Edghill, who at a moment’s notice was there toassist.

When we knew that Enchanter was definitely going tobe at the Folk Festival, Master Drummer Akoyaw Rudder,one of GCA’s most ardent supporters was tasked withtransporting him from the JFK Airport and getting him tothe Family Day venue. When Enchanter remarked that hefelt like he was at home, it was a testimony to the way

Akoyaw took care of him 24/7. He ensured that his distin-guished guest ate on a timely basis, provided a "tups"when it was needed and took him around everyday of hisvisit. One could have seen the bond and fondness thatdeveloped as he looked to Akoyaw for verification andclarification of anything he did not understand in his newtemporary environment. Akoyaw treated him with therespect of an elder and Enchanter was loud in his praiseof Akoya’s efforts to make him comfortable.

When we think of the work we put in for each FolkFestival, we must always think of those in our communitywho help from behind the scenes. Carl Guilliams one ofour strong supporters and advertisers is one such personwho on short notice came to the rescue. He providedgratis accommodation for Enchanter and for this we aregrateful.

It was heartening to hear of the farewell party held forEnchanter, due to the sterling contributing efforts ofEdgar Henry, Oswald Bobb and Carl Guilliams. Guyaneseattorney at law Leslie Halls and Dr. Kimani Nehusi, visitingfrom London, who both grew up with Enchanter on theEssequibo Coast, added a pleasant surprise element. Theexcellent culinary skills of Freddie Howell’s in his cook-up rice, curried duck with roti and his famous souse, wasthe talk of the night. All of these happenings whichoccurred within a day of planning pieced together a won-derful party for this Guyanese musical icon.

As part of that effort, Akoyaw also spearheaded gettinghim into his friend's studio to put down tracks and makea recording of some of his tunes. Of course he performedhis famous tunes live for the approximately 60 inviteeswho clammered for the CD’s, compliments of OswaldBobb. The very telling farewell words of Enchanter were"I was with the upper echelons of the Guyanese societylast night. Ah feel good and ah real happy man, ah realhappy!"

GCA team and friends of GCA, you all made an old manfeel very special. You are the best!

ENCHANTER’S VISIT TO NEW YORK A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT

“Yuh all mek dis ole man feel real, real good”

Claire A. Goring


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“...you all like how I perform?”

THE MIGHTY ENCHANTER, DIRECT FROM GUYANA TO THE MAIN STAGE OF THE

2012 GUYANA FOLK FESTIVAL FAMILY FUN DAY, WITH GCA VICE-PRESIDENT,

AVE BREWSTER-HAYNES AND M.C. BOBBY VIEIRA


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Kweh Kweh! Queh Queh! Kakalay! Same difference …depending on your individual village of origin inGuyana. For the past six years, the Guyana Folk

Festival (GFF) under the auspices of The Guyana CulturalAssociation (GCA) has hosted Kweh Kweh Night that hastaken up residence on Labor Day Friday. For about the pastfour years, this event has become a “hot item,” almost as popu-lar as the Family Fun Day. The Kweh Kweh Ensemble is co-chaired by the writers of this article, with musicians: Winston“Jeggae” Hoppie, Akoyaw “Master Drummer” Rudder, and JasonDundas on drums; and Hilton Hemmerding on keyboard – allrespected artists.

Kweh Kweh Night, 2012 could be considered one of thebiggest events of all Kweh Kweh, as the multi-national audi-ence was not only treated by the Ensemble, but also by one ofGuyana’s finest cultural icons, Ezie Rockliffe of the famousYoruba Singers Band. This year, like many others the ardentsupporters and “die hearts” of Kweh Kweh came fully garbedin their comfortable African attire in recognition of the originof Kweh Kweh. This tradition came to Guyana by means ofslavery, and is still practiced in some parts of Africa, its place oforigin. It had become an integral part of the traditional pre-marriage ceremony among Guyanese of African ancestry.

Today, Kweh Kweh is still practiced in Guyana. The two fami-lies of the bride- and groom-to-be, come together the nightbefore the wedding, in an effort to “sell/buy de gyrl” and to betaught how to “science” – in order to consummate their mar-riage, all facilitated by the village elder(s). But before doingthis, the groom-to-be and his family come dancing through thevillage announcing intentions to get married by singing anddancing all along the way to the house of the bride-to-be.Once there, permission is asked and granted for the groom-to-be and his family to enter the house before he begins search-ing for his bride-to-be. Now, you have to come to Kweh Kwehon Friday, August 30, 2013 and find out how this really unfolds.

This year, those in attendance at Kweh Kweh Night on August31, 2012 could not deny that they were satisfied. The venuewas packed to capacity with many of the usual participantswho knew what was expected of them, and quite a few new-comers. As usual, the actual Kweh Kweh was done twice toaccommodate the second wave of attendees.

The enjoyable aspect of Kweh Kweh is not just that it is fun,but once the drums have warmed up, those who were “mak-ing styles” to participate, they were the ones on the floor hav-ing the most fun. The regulars knew that they had to be com-fortably attired, and many wore national colors. But none ofthis mattered when the musicians took over with teaching thesongs, led by us with the Kweh Kweh movements.

The atmosphere became electrified and the movementmarathon begun – young and old, drums, percussions, flow-ers, branches, dancing in time, out of time, and even “diggingin a lil wine.” Most involved being reminded to “open the

ganga” (circle) because the staged bride-and groom-to-be wasbeing crowded in the middle. The village elders were at work,coaching and scolding the two youngsters about how toplease each other, and what should be done if there were mar-ital and sexual dissatisfaction. The musicians took the lead andthe attendees echoed responses through song, with the dancesteps in continuous motion. The night was completed withdelicious ethnic foods, drinks, laughter and many jokes withbantering that culminated an educational, exhilarating andhilarious evening. To all our supporters, we thank you.

Check www.guyfolkfest.org to view clips of Kweh Kweh2012 that share the songs and movements of this event thatpreserve, promote, and propagate Guyanese creativity.

KWE KWE NITERose October-Edun & Verna Walcott-White


13WE HAD A FINE TIME ALL NIGHT

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FOLK FESTIVAL FAMILY FUN DAY 2012: “MASQUERADE LIVES”CELEBRATING THE CREATIVITY OF GUYANESE FOLK TOYS

ARTIST JONATHAN LOCKE REMINDS US OF THINGS PAST

Each year, patrons to the annual Folk Festival FamilyFun Day can expect to see one of Jonathan’s inven-tions. One year it was cartoon Folk Festival charac-

ters printed on on T-Shirts worn by his family and in 2005,his contribution to the Awards Ceremony by designing aspecial plaque to honor that year’s LIfetime Achivementhonoree, E.R. Braithwaite.

In celebration of the creativity associated with Guyana’sfolk games and folk toys, the Folk Festival Committee, inan effort to continue a tradition of promoting folk gamesand other forms of community-building recreation, chal-lenged families to contribute folk toys and participate inthe “Remember When Folk Games” competttions at theFamily Fun Day. Jonathan’s design had the youngsetrs inattendance looking on in wonder at the wooden scooterbuilt by Jonathan.

An artist, manufacturer, craftsman, teacher, visionary, andentrepreneur, Jonathan Locke redefines and revitalizeswhat some believe is lost, true craftsmanship. As one ofthe world’s emerging top custom furniture fabricators,Jonathan has conceptualized and transformed all types ofwood into elegant and versatile pieces of furniture.

Born into a lineage of artists and craftsman, Jonathan hasemerged to follow his roots with an affinity for construct-ing wood furniture. From childhood, Jonathan had the giftof creating and piecing things together. He remembersgoing to the lumber yard by himself at the age of fourteenwhile his peers engaged in childhood activities, such asping pong. By the time he was 16 years old, Jonathan washoning his skills and had created a table out of old pallets,taken first place at numerous kite design competitionsand received local acclaim as a young aspiring craftsmanin his native home of Georgetown, Guyana. It wasn’t untila family friend suggested to Jonathan that he become afurniture designer that he decided to take his craft to newheights and popularize his gift of craftsmanship.Jonathan’s gift to produce furniture has availed himnational and international acclaim. He was awarded aCertificate of Excellence for Home & Office Cabinetryfrom the Association of the American Institution ofArchitects (2001) and has worked on mass productionprojects in Bogotá, Columbia and Georgetown, Guyana.Furthermore, Jonathan’s distinctive fabricating and prob-lem solving skills have received widespread public recog-nition at the Museum of Modern Art, Cooper Hewitt

Museum and many publications, such as ShopDesign(2000), Architectural Digest (2001), Small Spaces (2001),Chicago Tribune Magazine (2003), and Living Large inSmall Spaces (2003).From corporate offices to celebrity homes includingMercedes Benz, Timberland, Wesley Snipes and JohnMcEnroe, to the displays of Bloomingdale’s and Barney’s,Jonathan has fabricated and created furniture for a dynam-ic roster of notable designers. Through his pursuits,Jonathan has matured like the many craftsmen before himand aspires to continue to broaden his range of work andcreate things that embody the spirit and vision of everyclient.With more than 20 years of fine craftsmanship and furni-ture manufacturing, Jonathan has only just begun. One ofhis future endeavors includes creating his own televisionshow where he hopes to demystify the process of furni-ture making by presenting to the viewers how physicalobjects go together in a practical, yet innovative way.

JACKIE NEWTON & A

BICYCLE TIRE ROLLER

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CELEBRATING THE

CREATIVITY OF

GUYANESE FOLK

TOYS

JonathanLocke


16A CARIBBEAN PERSPECTIVE

The West Indian American Day Parade & Carnival cele-brated its 45th anniversary this year. The celebrationstarted on the Thursday before Labor Day and ended

around 6 p.m the following Monday.

In the 1920s, immigrants from Trinidad, other Caribbeanislands and Guyana with a carnival tradition began cele-brating Carnival in private spaces in Harlem. The paradepermit for Harlem was revoked in 1964 following a distur-bance. Five years later, a committee headed by CarlosLezama obtained permission to parade on EasternParkway. That committee became the West Indian-American Day Carnival Association, now a well-establishedorganization. Lezama headed the organization throughmany years of growth, retiring at the age of 78 in 2001. Hisdaughter, Yolanda Lezama-Clark, was subsequently electedPresident.

Preparations for the Carnival begin months in advance.Masqueraders are committed to a particular club or band,which selects a designer who provides drawings and aconcept for the entire display. Other masqueraders wouldseek out a band or camp of their choice. Each camp pro-duce numerous, sometimes hundreds of costumesembodying the camp concept. The king and queen cos-tumes are the most elaborate, while those for the ancillarycharacters are less complex. Creations may involve con-struction wire, fabric and many other materials. Costumesare the property of the masquerader, or in some cases thecollective property of the club. Cash prizes are given tothe bands on the basis of their originality, beauty and per-formance.

On Labor Day Monday the parade proceeds from UticaAvenue along Eastern Parkway to Grand Army Plaza. Theparade winds its way in a glorious display of culturalpride. Thousands of masqueraders dance their way flankedby dense crowds of onlookers. Floats loaded with elabo-rately costumed revelers illustrate a particular theme cho-sen by each parading group, masquerade band or camp.Each masquerade camp or "mas" works feverishly andwith great skill to produce imaginative and spectacularcostumes and to compete for cash prizes. Highlights priorto the parade include a steel band competition, aDimanche Gras extravaganza and a special Kiddie Carnivalon the Saturday which runs from President Street to thegrounds of the Brooklyn Museum of Art.

MusicCarnival is much more than the parade and costumes.Music plays an important part in creating such an exhila-rating atmosphere. Visitors to the festival might hear calyp-so, which grew out of traditional folk music in

Trinidad and Tobago; soca, a contemporary offshoot ofcalypso that is performed by large bands with drums, con-gas, bass, guitars, keyboards, saxophones, brass and back-ing vocalists; rap; and reggae, a style with Jamaican roots.At the Carnival, steel bands play to win the "Panorama"competition, although in the parade itself amplified bandstend to overwhelm the purely acoustic steel band sound.

FoodApart from the music and costumes, half the fun at theLabor Day parade is the food. Sidewalk vendors set upmouthwatering displays of Caribbean food all alongEastern Parkway. It is almost impossible to resist the deli-cious aroma that waft through the September air. Takeyour pick of vendors: Some of the dishes that can befound at the Carnival are codfish fritters, rice and peas,bake and shark, kebabs, curried chicken, fish cakes, roti,curried goat, meat patties, hot dogs, jerk chicken, pelau,cook up rice, escovitch fish, fried plantains, chickenwings, oxtail, fried flying fish, ackee, aloo pie, breadfruit,sausages, roasted corn, beef patties, rice balls, pork, ribs,vegetarian and halal meats. Tons of desserts such as carrotcake, cassava pone, coconut bread and sweet potato pie;beverages include rum punch, sorrel drinks, ginger beer,sugar cane juice and coconut water.

Importance of the Carnival

Some claim that the Carnival has become New York'slargest cultural celebration, drawing crowds estimatedbetween 1 and 3 million each year. Visitors come from asfar as Canada, the United Kingdom, and of course theCaribbean while others travel from New Jersey, Atlanta,Maryland and Connecticut. The success of the Carnival hasinspired imitators in other cities such as Miami andBoston.

Aside from its economic impact, the Carnival is an asser-tion of Caribbean culture, bringing together people fromdifferent island nations under one umbrella, and demon-strating to the rest of the world the power and vibrancy ofthe peoples of the Caribbean. Politicians from within andoutside of the Caribbean community are keen to maketheir presence felt in Brooklyn on Labor Day particularlyin an election year.

Labor Day in BrooklynAN ASSERTION OFCARIBBEAN CULTURE

Edgar Henry


17


18FOLK FESTIVAL 2012: “MASQUERADE LIVES”

FAMILY FUN DAYIN PICTURES

STATE SENATORERIC ADAMS20TH SENATORIALDISTRICT

BROOKLYN DEPUTY

BOROUGH PRESIDENT, GUYANESE SANDRA

CHAPMAN & M.C.ROSE

OCTOBER-EDUN



19

DESIGNS BYSONIA NOEL

INDIAN DANCE BYKAVITA NAIDU

MASQUERADE BYROSE OCTOBER-EDUN, WAYNE DANIELS & IMPRESSIONS DANCE COMPANY



Zing, zangCrekete,Ow me Crekete!

FOLK SONGSwith Jeggae, Akoyaw,

Hilton & Ezie

CHARMAINE

BLACKMAN

20



21

THE WAYNE DANIELS DANCE CMPANY

MICHELLE “BIG RED” AND

CHRONICLE ATLANTIC STEEL

ORCHESTRA


AMERINDIANTRIBES

22 There are nine Amerindian tribes’ settled across the tenadministrative Regions of Guyana. Amerindians were said tobe the very first inhabitants of the land. They share a richand diverse culture and are one of the many ethnic groupsthat make up the people of Guyana. These tribes are:WAI WAISThese skilled architects of indigenous dwelling were fittingly taskedwith the construction of the landmark Umana Yana. Expert weaversand bead designers, the members of this tribe love to dress up withcotton clothing and beaded ornaments. Their hairstyles are also worksof art and they are very sociable people. The Wai Wais occupy theextreme south of the Rupununi Savannah.

MACUSHISRichard Schomburgh described this tribe as one of the most beautifultribes of Guyana. The curare poison, which they blew, is used on thelips of their arrow and bow. This orderly tribe can be found in theNorthern Rupununi Savannah.

PATOMONASThis tribe can be found mainly in the Northern PakaraimasMountains, as well as in the South Pakaraimas and the Essequiboregion. Kaieteur Falls was named after Old Kaie, who was a memberof the Patomona tribe.ARAWAKSThese coastal dwellers are skilled in fishing. They also plant cassava inabundance. This is their staple food, which is used to prepare manydishes and alcoholic drink called piwari.

CARIBSThe Caribbean was named in honour. This is a warlike tribe whocalled themselves “Karina” and were feared and respected by morepeaceful communities. Caribs have settled in the Barama andPomeroon rivers, and on the coast of the North West district. The tribe cultivated cotton, which they spun into cloth with spindlesand coloured with dyes from the barks and leaves of trees.

WAPISHANADescribed as the most adaptable travellers, this tribe is famous for itsindustry and trading skills. They are also expert trackers, as well asweavers of hammocks, canoe makers, hunters and farmers.

ARECUNASOriginating from the Caron, a large tributary of the Orinoco, this tribeis located on the banks of the Kamarang river. In the olden days theygrew cotton in commercial quantities, which they traded to the othertribes. Their weapon of choice was the blow-gun and they wereexperts in its manufacture.

AKAWAIOSThis warlike tribe travelled from village to village, carrying the newsand trading other tribes. They also, love to use the blow-pipe.Members of the tribe are located in the Upper Mazaruni area, on theBarama, Upper Pomeroon, Demerara Wenamu, and the Upper Cuyunirivers.

WARRAUSThis tribe lives in the swamps and marshes of the North West District,in the low-lying areas of the Barima and Pomeroon rivers and theirtributaries.

AMERINDIAN HERITAGE MONTH


ADAPTED FROM AN AMERINDIAN MYTH

WHY THE FOREST TOAD HAS BUMPS

CELEBRATING AMERINDIAN HERITAGE MONTH

23

Pia and Makunaima decided to take a walkthrough the forest. After a while, they cameto a grove of cotton trees.

“What a strange place for cotton trees to grow?”observed Makunaima.

“I agree with you completely,” enjoined his twinbrother Pia, “there’s more here than meets the eye.”

“So let’s go see what they are hiding. I nowremember passing here several weeks ago andthose trees were not here,” pointed out Makunaima.

Weaving their way through the thickly and closelypopulated trees, they came to the center and totheir great astonishment saw a cottage.

Walking closer to it, they noticed that it was madeof pine logs and was painted black, using mud froma nearby stream.

The twins walked up to the door and were aboutto knock on it when it suddenly opened beforethem.

A very old woman with a long flat nose, a bonyface and small round eyes, poked out her head and

uncouthly said, “What do you want?”

“Nothing really,” answered Pia, “we saw thestrange cotton grove and on walking through itdiscovered this house. I was just about to knockon the door to ask for a cup of water when youopened it.”

“Well I see no harm in giving you water,” shereplied, “step right in.”

The twins entered the house and the old croneoffered them a seat at a table made of small treelimbs. They sat on a long flat bench.

The old woman brought the water in two coconutshells. “You will find the water tastes a bit strangesince, given my age, I cannot travel far, so Iobtain it by cutting reeds in my garden andwater comes out of them. They grow backovernight,” she said.

When they had slaked their thirst, the twins spoketo each other and decided to spend some time atthe house so they can learn more about the cottontrees, the reeds and whatever else strange they candiscover.

Peter Halder

continued on page 36


24SEPTEMBER, EDUCATION MONTH: KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

Dr. JulietDr. JulietEmanuelEmanuel

FIRST WOMANEXECUTIVEDIRECTOR OFCOLLEGE ENGLISH ASSOCIATION


25

In April 2012, Dr. Juliet Emanuel ended her tenureas President of New York College EnglishAssociation. In Spring 2013, she becomes the

first woman Executive Director of College EnglishAssociation of America.

Since 1938, CEA has been a vibrant, growing profes-sional organization of scholar-teachers who regardteaching college students, undergraduate and gradu-ate, as the proper focus of the profession.

Their members represent a broad range of intereststraditionally gathered under English studies, includ-ing literature, composition, popular culture,women's studies, minority studies, creative writing,film studies, technical communication, speech, andESL.

CEA's diverse membership connects the various seg-ments of the profession: large and small institutions,state and private schools, liberal arts colleges andtechnical institutions, community colleges and uni-versities.

Dr. Emanuel is employed and tenured in theDepartment of Developmental Skills (Academic andCritical Reading, English as a Second Language,Linguistics and Critical Thinking), Borough ofManhattan Community College, City/ University ofNew York. She has held the position of DeputyChair since 2004, with duties which include super-vising ACR Lab personnel; scheduling of facultyassignments; the preparation testing schedules; allmatters related to the administration of the servicesof the department; student issues and other con-cerns.

She has served on all departmental committees, forexample, Personnel and Budget, Testing andGrading, Lab, Curriculum and Critical Thinking, and

currently is a co- coordinator of a CUNY financedACR curriculum Project. She is a member of theCUNY Reading council.

A senior member of a college wide committee thatoversees all aspects of the training of tutors on cam-pus, Juliet promotes Scholars in Action; has been amember of Heritage Committees and served as fac-ulty advisor to student clubs and the college news-paper.

A member of the Board of Caribbean WomenWriters and Scholars, Juliet Emanuel is a member ofthe Board and Secretary of the Guyana CulturalAssociation of New York Inc. and coordinates allaspects of the annual symposium dedicated to vari-ous explorations of the culture of Guyana, for thepast ten years. These symposia have been co-spon-sored more than once each by BMCC/CUNY,Columbia U, Ohio U, Medgar Evers/CUNY, EmpireState College/SUNY and University of Guyana, SouthAmerica. She created and continues to lead an annu-al series for the past six years, The Literary Hang, agathering of writers.

She is the Director of the literacy based six weekGCA Summer Heritage Camp exploring the arts,dance, music, folklore etc. of Guyana and theCaribbean.

Juliet Emanuel is currently producing a video seriesof Guyanese writers such as Jan Carew, EusiKwayana, Peter Halder. Henry Muttoo and others.

SEPTEMBER, EDUCATION MONTH: KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

DR. JULIET EMANUEL FIRST WOMAN EXECUTIVEDIRECTOR OF COLLEGEENGLISH ASSOCIATION


AMONG THE MANY FRIENDSAND SUPPORTERS OF GCA,RODRICK DALEY IS ONE OF THEBEST THAT WE CAN RECKON.

THIS MAN, RODRICK DALEY, HASEMBRACED THE ORGANIZATIONIN ALL ITS ASPECTS. GCA HASENJOYED THE RESULTS OF HISUNWAVERING LOYALTY. HE HASMEDIATED DISCUSSIONS WITHTHE RELEVANT INSTITUTIONSAND HAS THUS PROVIDED SPACEFOR NINE YEARS FOR GCA’SHIGHLY SUCCESSFUL FAMILY FUNDAY AND ITS PERFORMING ARTSSERIES.

IN THIS PROFILE GCA CELEBRATES THIS MAN OF INTEGRITY AND HARD WORK.

EDUCATOR, COMMUNITY ACTIVIST & FRIEND OF GCA

Rodrick F. Daley (Ruddie)

ACTION NOT EXCUSES, IS THE ONLY WAY

26



27Educator, Community Activist & Friend of GCA

Rodrick F. Daley (Ruddie)

EDUCATION IS A BASIC HUMAN RIGHT,FIGHT FOR IT AND DON’T WASTE IT

Rodrick F. Daley, known to most as Ruddie, is currentlya Spanish teacher and a Dean working with theNew York City Department of Education. Daley

began his teaching career in the mid 1990’s at NazarethRegional High School. One year later he went on to SouthShore High School in Brooklyn, New York. In 2001, hejoined the faculty of Meyer Levin Intermediate School285, where he was once a student.

Born in Jamaica, West Indies, Daley immigrated toBrooklyn, New York in 1982 with his family. He attendedP.S. 233 and then I.S. 285 - Meyer Levin. After graduationfrom I.S.285, he did a one year stint at Lafayette HighSchool where he received a full academic scholarship andleft to attend Amherst Regional High School in Amherst,MA. While at Amherst Regional, Daley seized opportunitiesto display his dexterity by participating in athletics. Hebecame a 5 Varsity letterman in Football, was on theWrestling Team as well as represented in Track and Field.Through application of hard work and self-disciplineDaley received full financial assistance to attend HaverfordCollege in Pennsylvania. He obtained a Bachelors degree inSpanish. Rodrick Daley currently holds a Masters inEducation (College of Mount Saint Vincent), Certificate forIndustrial Labor Relation - New York State United Teachersat Cornell University.

Daley’s love for his community is a permanent and insepa-rable element. He believes that the community will onlybecome stronger when individuals/groups of individualpartner and play vital roles enhancing growth and devel-opment. His life is catalyzed by the maxim “Action, notexcuses, is the only way.” Ruddie has traveled nationwideto support workers rights and student rights. He hashelped to organize unions under the leadership of theUnited Federation of Teachers, where he is a local chapterleader, in places such as Shreveport, Louisiana,Birmingham, Alabama and Atlanta, Georgia. Locally, he hasadvocated for the rights of Daycare workers to organize.He has walked the picket lines and stood with strikers tochange and improve their environment. He fights to pro-tect rights of the vulnerable on a consistent basis.

Thus, he has implemented programs that will continue todevelop that concept. The Study Abroad Program affordsstudents at a young age the opportunity to learn outsideof the classroom and allows them to cherish education

more. He has worked under the leadership of CEJ tosecure over $900 million back into education and hasfought to restore monies back into the budget. He createdthe Adolescent Mentorship Program to support our failingyouths in his attempt to put them on the right path. Lastly,he has sponsored a number of Community BasedOrganizations and their work within New York City as awhole either by getting them started or giving them alocation to do events or through philanthropic donations.One in particular is the Guyana Cultural Association FamilyDay. This event takes place the Sunday before Labor. Eachyear since 2004, GCA Family has had a home thanks largelyin part to Mr. Daley’s belief in community. He has spon-sored back to school drives for students and low incomefamilies.

Affiliations

The Study Abroad Program/Meyer Levin Education TourCommittee - Chair; A Better Chance Alumni Network -Member; Volunteer Admissions Counselor - HaverfordCollege; Education and Youth Committees - CommunityBoard 17; United Federation of Teachers – Representative;Adolescent Mentorship Program - Founder; A. PhillipRandolph Institute - Member; Coalition For EducationJustice – Executive Member; Brooklyn EducationalCollaborative - Executive Member; Educational JusticePolitical Action Committee (EJPAC) - founding memberand Steering Committee

AchievementsRodrick F. Daley has received numerous awards for hislong years of service. These awards include: Avenue LDistinguished Service Award, New Deeper Life CommunityDevelopment Corporation for Education and CommunityService, New York Citations or Proclamations from:Honorable Rep Yvette Clarke, Ed Towns, Senator KevinParker, John Sampson, Assemblyman N. Nick Perry, CityCouncilmembers Mathieu Eugene and Jumaane Williams.East 34th Street Block Association, Meyer Levin MostDistinguish Alumni, Most Valuable Athletic (Wrestling),United Federation of Teachers for his union work, CaddoFederation of Teacher (Shreveport, LA) for organizing,Progressive Democrat Political Association for field work,Cornell University for labor relations as well countlessother certificates for education and community service.


28SEPTEMBER, EDUCATION MONTH: KNOWLEDGE IS POWER


As school re-opens and parents anticipate the educa-tional success of their children, while preparingthem to become productive citizens in their adopted

home, it is important to explore and acknowledge hiddendimensions of that journey. Having come from societieswhere people of African or East Indian ancestry are in themajority, the patterns of racial and ethnic divisions thatmany immigrant children experience in the United Statesdo not escape their attention.

The stark reality of being relegated to “minority communi-ties of color” includes a further realization that their newcommunities are notorious for characteristics whichmake them poor indicators of success. In New York City,Caribbean-American communities are among the mostracially segregated. The NYC Board of Education attendancerecords show that School District #17 in Brooklyn, withits high concentration of Caribbean immigrants in CrownHeights and Flatbush has more than 87% Black studentsand a comparably smaller number of Hispanic, Asian andCaucasian.

The challenges for immigrant students, parents and teach-ers are monumental but not insurmountable. Mary Waters(2006) notes that approximately half of the “West Indian”student population within urban and suburban areasattends schools that are in dire conditions. These schoolsare often plagued by low academic achievement, high levelsof violence, chaos, and high dropout rates. Additionally,many in the neighborhood face daunting problems ofpoverty, law enforcement indiscretions, drug use and variousindicators of poor health. Children face an increased riskof academic failure, delinquency and other forms of mal-adaptive behaviors. To protect themselves from indignities,some may disinvest, especially from school, speakingStandard English, and other positive attributes as opposi-tion to their core identity.

My own observations and discussion with colleagues inthe field reveal a number of concerns affecting the capaci-ty of students and parents to live up to their full potential.These include a lack of resources essential to the totalwell being of families. For example, inadequate employ-ment and child care facilities; single parenthood; undocu-mented status; and poor parenting skills. Some parentsmay not be aware of potentially debilitating medical con-ditions (physical and psychological) of their own chil-dren. Though optimistic, lack of such knowledge, com-pounded by structural racism, substandard schools, disin-vested neighborhoods and other forms of interpersonalindignities have impacted these immigrants.

Indeed there are deficiencies in the educational system inimmigrant children’s countries of origin. But local schooldistricts are also blameworthy. Cultural differences are

frequently interpreted as educational handicaps andenough has not been done to address the unique needs ofthis population. Educational institutions in the EnglishCaribbean are largely patterned off the British system.Despite recent efforts to reform them, vestiges of an oldEnglish approach still exists. This two-tiered educationalsystem holds important implications for students from theCaribbean and for educational institutions within thereceiving society.

The stratified nature of North American schools, particu-larly in the inner city – with typically high teacher-pupilratio, lack of suitable equipment and laboratories, andwith less quality faculty, often result in differential levelsof educational exposure of immigrant students.Depending on the academic tier from which the studentscome, they may require remedial help or they excel acad-emically. A further disadvantage is that some immigrantchildren may not enter the school at the beginning of theterm, due to the patterns of visa regulations.

Despite these shortcomings, some students excel academ-ically, reflecting their potential and prior basic sound edu-cational foundation. The situation is not hopeless. Thereare measured successful outcomes. In New York City, thehigh school graduation rate among Guyanese immigrantsis 74.7%; Jamaicans - 79. 8%; and Trinidad and Tobagonians- 84.6% (U.S. Census Bureau, 2010). One could imaginethe results in a positively different or more accommodatingsystem.

My recommebdations are both preventive and remedial:teaching parenting skills and knowledge acquisition ofchildren’s basic health and emotional needs, includingaccess to Early Childhood Intervention programs;encourage more frequent attendance at Parent-Teachermeetings; schools should be more welcoming (thiswould decrease intimidation by the enormity of theschool’s bureaucracy); parents must be included as part-ners with the school in the education of their children;improvement in relationship between the school andbroader immigrant community; teachers must becomeculturally competent; an awareness that some parentswork long hours in multiple jobs, thereby limiting theirability to fully participate in their children’s education;adequate funding facilitate counseling on immigrationissues; local cultural organizations can be instrumentalas educational/cultural surrogates; on a larger scale,collaboration with Administration for Children’s Servicesto develop services that are easily accessible and sensi-tive to the needs of families in the neighborhoods wherethey live.

Challenges of EnglishCaribbean Immigrant Students

Lear Matthews

29


Spring of 2012, even for the British Isles and Englandin particular, was inordinately cold and rainy. Butspring is usually green and full of promise and so the

organizers of the XXX Olympiad in the host city ofLondon, England though concerned, were hopeful, andindeed maintained a level of enthusiasm even as theinclement weather persisted perilously close to the July25th Opening Day.

As it were, the sporting Gods would smile upon this faircity precisely as the Olympic flame was lit to raise thecurtain and welcome the world’s best athletes as theycame to play in the shadows of Big Ben, along the banksof the Thames, and just outside the gates of BuckinghamPalace. For the ensuing fortnight, the English weatherknown for its capriciousness, made a mockery of its infa-mous reputation was for the most part balmy as athletesreached for new heights in track and field, swimming,gymnastics, rowing and cycling. In the end the names ofGabby Douglas, Michael Phelps, and Usain Bolt wereetched in our minds.

In retrospect, watching these Summer Games evokedemotions and reactions ranging from pregnant anticipa-tion to excitement to frustration as we lived vicariouslythrough our favorite athletes. Anticipation of the phenom-enal level of achievement usually attained by the best ath-letes in the world; excitement as one witnesses the epito-me of athletic prowess as muscles and sinews arestretched to the limit in athletic competition; and frustra-

tion at the mediocrity of the performance level of partic-ular athletes as one rooted for one’s native land such asour beloved Guyana.

Then one is almost compelled to lend vociferous supportfor a neighbor and for the Caribbean region that was stel-lar in this campaign – a neighbor like Trinidad andTobago, home of 19 year old Javelin gold medalistKeshorn Walcott; a region that includes Grenada, whichproduced 400 meters world champion Kirani James withhis golden Olympic moment; the all- conquering heroesand heroines of sprint from Jamaica, spearheaded by oneof the greatest athletes of all time – repeat 100 and 200meters Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt.

For Guyana, from London, England to Rio, Brazil, the jour-ney to erase the painful emptiness of the London 2012experience must begin purposefully with the immediateimplementation of a plan - a plan supported by theGuyana Olympic Committee that will by 2014 begin toplumb the reservoir of talented athletes ‘from Pakaraimapeaks of power to Corentyne lush sands’; a plan that mustinclude the creation of an Olympic Training Center com-plete with state of the art equipment, professional coach-es and a rigorous program, which should be institutedfrom the kindergarten level.

This program bolstered by commercial entities such asAdidas, Nike, Coke, Pepsi, and Banks DIH, should encom-pass a comprehensive model that would cover the disci-plines of track and field, swimming, boxing, weightlifting,cycling, rowing, and archery. The aim would be to devel-op a potent cadre of competitive athletes capable of mak-ing more than just a token appearance at internationallevel and more pointedly at the 2016 Olympic Games.Perhaps organizations in the Diaspora such as HometownAssociations can also contribute to such an effort.

LONDON 2012 TO RIO 2016

A DEFINING JOURNEYWE MUST DEVELOP A POTENT

CADRE OF COMPETITIVE ATHLETES

CAPABLE OF MAKING MORE

THAN JUST A TOKEN APPEARANCE

AT INTERNATIONAL LEVEL AND

AT THE 2016 OLYMPIC GAMES

Cosmo Hamilton

30


The Symposium that will be held in Guyana onDecember 13th. and 14th., 2012 will be the tenthproduced by Guyana Cultural Association of New

York, Inc. The Call for Participation for this symposiumhas produced prospective presenters from the Caribbean,North and South America, Europe and Guyana itselfalready. This Call ends on September 30, 2012. Send allresponses to Dr. Vibert Cambridge at [email protected].

With the full support of Dr. Frank Anthony, Minister ofCulture,Youth and Sports in Guyana, GCA is poised tomake this gathering a sparkling combination of theoryand practice using papers, posters, videos and other film,performances, art, literature, music and photography.Through this symposium, the second to be held inGuyana, GCA intends to promote public education andappreciation of the history and direction of masquerade, anational practice and form of entertainment in Guyana.

Areas that have been announced for exploration duringthe symposium include, but are not limited to:

• Origins of the art form

• Immigration, class, transferal and

transmission of masquerade

• The poetics of masquerade

• Masquerade as graphic text

• Costuming in masquerade

• Masquerade bands and community pride

• Masquerade as public spectacle

• Masquerade and foreign policy

• Masquerade and Caricom festival arts

• The music of masquerade

• Masquerade and the bhoom

• Masquerade and biography

• Devising a socio-historical unit in the school curricula

• Early arrangements include the performance by masquerade exponents and the use of the benab, Umana Yana, in Kingston, Georgetown, as one lecture space.

The program itself is slated to include a post symposiumexperience with the festival, the Bad Cow MasqueradeCompetition, in Charity, Essequibo and performances atTheatre Guild, Georgetown.

Publishing of the papers delivered at the Tenth AnnualSymposium will be facilitated by contributing agencies inGuyana.

In celebration of ten years of exhilarating, although some-times difficult work, the publication process of selectedpapers from the nine previous symposia has started.These papers will include the Symposia addresses by CyrilDabydeen and the late Frank Thomasson and Desry Cesar-Fox. Although there is a deadline of mid-November 2012for the formal request for these papers, there is an earlyand non-prejudicial collection process in effect because ofthe amount of scholarship clearly observed at the pre-con-vention meeting held at Empire State College/SUNY onSeptember .1, 2102.

The Tenth Annual Symposium team includes Dr. JulietEmanuel, Dr.Michael Scott, Dr.James Rose, Dr. FrankAnthony, Dr. Paloma Mohamed, Ms. Margaret Lawrence,Ms. Claire Goring, Mr. Edgar Henry, Ms. Muriel Glasgow,Ms. Rosalind October-Edun, Ms. Verna Walcott-White, Mr.Maurice Braithwaite, Ms. Claire Patterson-Monah, Dr. LearMatthews, Ms. Ave Brewster Haynes, Vice President and

Dr. Vibert Cambridge, President of GCA, with all membersof the GCA organization contributing, as always, to whatpromises to be a huge undertaking.

The Tenth Annual Symposium is, also, the recipient ofmany hours of dedicated volunteer service by the Friendsand Supporters of the Symposium.

FOLK FESTIVAL 2012 SYMPOSIUM: “MASQUERADE LIVES” IN GUYANA

JOIN US IN GUYANASYMPOSIUM 2012

“MASQUERADE LIVES”•MASQUERADE BANDS AND COMMUNITY PRIDE • COSTUMING

AND MASQUERADE • THE MUSIC OF MASQUERADE • MASQUERADEAND THE BHOOM • THE POETICS OF MASQUERADE

GCA Symposium Committee

CALL FOR PARTICIPATION: ENDS SEPTEMBER 30, 2012Contact: Dr. Vibert Cambridge: [email protected]


31



The following is a list of the symposia produced by GCA under the sponsorships noted.

2003: Celebrating Our Musical Heritage.The Caribbean Research Center, Medgar Evers College/CUNY, Brooklyn, NY.The Department of African American Studies, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio.2004: The Guyanese Word, Written, Spoken, Sung and Drawn.The Department of African American Studies, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio.The Center for Ethnomusicology at Columbia University, NY, NY.eCaroh Caribbean Emporium, Boston, Mass.2005: Celebrating Guyanese Dance.Borough of Manhattan Community College/CUNY, NY, NY.The Department of African American Studies, Athens, Ohio.Friends of the Symposium.2006: Celebrating our Caribbean Heritage: Carifesta 72 Revisited.Borough of Manhattan Community College/CUNY, NY, NY.Friends and Supporters of the Symposium.2007: Origins, Identity and Influence - “Oii.”EdZone, Teachers College, Columbia University, NY, NY.Center for Multiple Languages and Literacies, Columbia University, NY, NY.Center for African Education, Columbia University, NY, NY.Institute for Urban and Minority Education, Columbia University, NY, NY.Friends and Supporters of the Symposium.2008: Folk, Identity and National CohesivenessUniversity of Guyana, Georgetown, Guyana.International Convention Center, Guyana.Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, Guyana.2009: Edgar Mittelholzer, the Man and his Works.York College/CUNY, Jamaica, Queens, NY.Freinds and Supporters of the Symposium.2010: Diversity in our Villages; Harmony in our Culture.Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, Brooklyn, NYFriends and Supporters of the Symposium.2011: Arrivals, Encounters and Exchanges.Empire State College/SUNY, Brooklyn, NY.Friends and Supporters of the Symposium

The publication committee includes Juliet Emanuel, Edgar Henry, Muriel Glasgow, Lear Matthews and Vibert Cambridge. Excited by the task ahead of them, these members took note of the excellent quality of the presentations of the nine symposia and, with additional colleagues,are proceeding with the publication process.

Call 718 209 5207 for more information.

PUBLICATION OF SELECTED PAPERS FROM GCA SYMPOSIAOn Saturday, September 1, 2012, the Pre-Convention meeting related to the 2012 Symposium was held at Empire State College/SUNY, 177 Livingston Street, Brooklyn, NY with the kind support of Dr. Lear Matthews assisted byMs. Sharon Martin, both of that institution.

The immediate purpose of this meeting was to start the process of publishing selectedpapers from all symposia. All presenters are invited to submit papers.


33

EUSI KWAYANATORONTO VISITSEPT.27-OCT 6Eusi Kwayana – notable PoliticalActivist, Writer, and Educator – isscheduled to be in Toronto for Sept The Community to AssistBuxton/Friendship (COTAB), theCaribbean Studies Program of theUniversity of Toronto, and theCanada – Guyana Forum arerequesting your attendance at theeventsFriday Sept. 28, 6 – 9 PM: Book signing at the Different Booklist

Sunday Sept. 30th, 5 – 8 PM: Lecture & Mix’N Mingle session

CaFA Film NIghts @ NicholasBrooklyn570 Fulton StBrooklyn, NY 11223United States

Oct 04, 2012 7:30 PM4 films from 4 different territories - Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago, Brasil and Carriacou/USA.

The Seawallby Mason RichardsGuyanaEbony Goddess: Queen of Ilê Aiyêby Carolina Moraes-LiuBrasilI'll Be There

by Justen Blaize, Hernando Caicedo andKofi OkaiCarriacou/USADe Wild Meat Famaleeby Ansar SattarTrinidad & Tobago

ALLIED ORGANIZATIONShowcasing the Art of Paula HazlewoodOctober 5, 2012Brooklyn Home for the AgedKingston & St. John, Brooklyn, NY5.00 p.m.

Art TeaArt from Paula Hazlewood & Hannah JohnNew Life Center of Truth2400 Snyder Avenue (Bedford & Rogers)Brooklyn, NY 112033.00 p.m.

For Information:Dr. M. Thompson718 485 3687; Robert Bobb347 328 4233

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE COMMUNITY

COME OUT AND SUPPORT THESE EVENTS

TO HAVE YOUR EVENT PRO-MOTED IN FUTURE GCANEWSLETTERS:Contact Claire [email protected] Henry [email protected]

COMMUNITY CALENDAR OF EVENTS

A middle aged woman goesto the social security officeto receive benefits for herchildren."How many children?" asksthe welfare officer."Ten" replied the woman."Ten?" asks the welfareworker. "What are theirnames?""Nathan, Nathan, Nathan,Nathan, Nathan, Nathan,Nathan, Nathan, Nathan andNathan"

"Doesn't that get confusing?""Naah... It's great because ifthey are out playing I justhave to shout 'Nathan yerdinner's ready!' or 'Nathan time to go tobed!' and they all respond.

"OK! What if you want tospeak to one individually?"asks the curious welfareworker."OOH That's easy," says thesmiling woman. "I just usetheir surnames."

CHUCKLESCORNER

34


Keith Andre Sobryan was involved in every aspectof the arts. Few Guyanese have made the contribu-tion or enjoyed the reputation in dance and drama

as Keith Andre Sobryan, over the past three decades.Intensely nationalistic, Andre Sobryan had a vivid, fertileand creative imagination, dedicating his entire workinglife to the arts, particularly drama and dance.

A competent dramatist, a skilled sensitive interpreter ofIndian Dance, and a highly popular stage character, Andreworked as a professional, writing, performing, teaching,directing and producing. He possessed the comic’s witand gift of mimicry, with a marvelous voice range thatenabled him to portray several characters. As a director,you were most impressed with his instinct for fine dramaand his superb ability to skillfully interpret and bring agreater human dimension to a playwright’s work.

But as considerable as Andre’s stage talents were, he wasmore popularly loved for his brilliant performance asMiss Lottie McPherson, the good friend of Clothilda Jamesand her husband Clarendon.

Dressed in a-comb-out wig, dreadful clusters of costumejewellery, bright scarves, odd-looking hand bags and out-dated dresses, Lottie and Cleo’s particular Guyaneseworking class manners and speech patterns were thebasis of their enduring appeal. Uttered in slightly quaveringtones or shrill voices, as the situation warranted, Cleo andLottie would complain about the new suite of chairs thatfell in the mud while being conveyed to the house, theconfusion over a barrel that came from “foreign”, thebucket put to “ketch” some water, or the broken “sling-back” shoe strap.

As a Mash enthusiast, Andre was involved in costumedesigning and worked each year with the Children’sCostume Competition. He was a member of the CentralMashramani Committee and in the early stages of Mash,was on the Solo team producing the Mash Nite and FloatParade events.

Andre fought for the rights of people living withHIV/AIDS in Guyana. As chairman of the National AIDSCommittee, he urged the Government to fashion policieson AIDS issues and was in the middle of helping to pro-duce the much-talked about National AIDS Policy whenhe passed.

Sobryan represented Guyana at various fora on AIDS inthe Caribbean and internationally, including the WorldAIDS Conference in Durban, South Africa. He wasfounder/member of the Network of Guyanese Living withHIV/AIDS and member of the Caribbean Network ofPeople Living with HIV/AIDS.

In 1993, the former Queen's College student, along withtheatre colleagues Margaret Lawrence and Desiree Edghillfounded Artistes in Direct Support (AIDS), a group whichuses youths and theatre productions to educate the publicabout HIV/AIDS. His brainchild, The Flame and theRibbon was also founded in that year and has since beenstaged every year on December 1 , World AIDS Day. Heworked on a number of AIDS projects funded by thedonor community and was involved in the United StatesAid for International Development Guyana Youth Projectthemed : Ready Body - Is it Really Ready' at the time of hisdeath.

HOW YOU CAN ENSURE KEITH ANDRESOBRYAN'S FIGHT FOR THE RIGHTS OF PEOPLELIVING WITH HIV/AIDS CONTINUESContribute to Artistes In Direct Support Desiree Edghill - [email protected] or [email protected]

156 Alexander Street Kitty, Georgetown, Guyana.

Tel #s - 592-225-5112, 592-227-7320, & 592-624-8030

Fax # - 592-227-7321

Account # - Republic Bank 654-290-6

His legacy continues asArtistes in DirectSupport continue thefight for people livingwith HIV/AIDS

12 YEARS AFTER HIS PASSINGGIVE-BACK BY CONTRIBUTING

Keith

Andre Sobryan

Claire Goring



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“Grandmother,” said Pia, “we have trav-eled far and are very tired. We need torest and recuperate for a few daysbefore we resume our journey to visitthe eastern part of the forest. Wouldyou please be so kind and generousas to permit us to spend some timewith you and enjoy your hospitality.”

“Well your request young men, is verysudden and I will have to think aboutit. After all, I live alone in this house,”croaked the old woman.

“Not to worry,” said Pia, “we respectand protect the aged and what ismore, we will hunt every day to pro-vide meals for you and ourselves dur-ing our stay.”

“Say no more. I agree. You can stayhere for as long as you wish,” the oldwoman said.

The two went hunting the next dayand killed a small labba. They skinnedit, roasted it over a pit and brought ithome.

They placed the roasted treat on thetable and no sooner had they done thisthan the old woman brought threeplates of baked cassava cakes. For somestrange reason, the two were filled aftereating the labba meat and did nottouch the cassava cakes.

While hunting the next day, Maku-naima told Pia that something strangewas going on.

“How come there are no fields orfarms around the house or nearby,yet the old vixen has so much cassavathat she can make baked cassavacakes,” he said.

“True, true,” replied Pia, “the samething had crossed my mind. I thinkthat from now on, we should takefruits and berries along with ourroasted meat home and refrain fromeating any of the cassava cakes she

provides for us.”

“And what if she questions us aboutour refusal to eat her cakes?”

“We will just tell her that we are filledwith the meat and the fruit andberries.”

The crone was very angry when thetwins refused to eat her cassava cakesfor the second day in a row.

“You are not respectful men as youclaim you are,” she told them at thetable, “it is an insult to refuse the prov-idence of your host.”

They apologized and promised to eather cassava cakes the next day.

Next morning, instead of going into theforest to hunt, they walked a short dis-tance and climbed up nearby tree fromwhere they could see everything thatwent on inside the house.

In the sunlight that filled the home,they noticed that the old woman had awhite spot on her shoulder. They sawher bend down and pick at the spot. Asshe did so, lo and behold pieces of cas-sava fell from it into a wooden pailbehind her.

To be forewarned is to be forearmed.When the twins got to the house thatnight, they refused to eat the cassavacakes which the old woman had bakedfor them.

The crone flew into a rage and toldthem to leave her house by the follow-ing evening.

“You can rest assured we will be hap-py to do so,” the Pia retorted.

The twins arose next morning very ear-ly and walked swiftly to the cottongrove. There they picked large quanti-ties of cotton and took them back tothe house. The old woman was not yetup. They began laying pieces of the cot-ton into the creases of the floor and

along the edges of the walls. They alsolaid them over the floor.

Hearing the noise of their movements,the old woman awoke and came out ofher bedroom. She looked at the floorand asked what they were doing.

“We are making the floor soft andcomfortable for you to lie on and alsoif at any time you fell for whateverreason to the floor, you would nothurt yourself,” Makunaima explained.

“It’s the least we can do for you beforewe leave your house and your won-derful company this evening,” addedPia.

They invited her to sit on the floor totest how soft it was. Please with whatthey said, she accepted their invitationand took her time to sit on the cottonstrewn floor.

No sooner was she comfortably seatedwhen Pia who was behind her set fireto the cotton.

The fire spread rapidly along the cot-ton and when it surrounded the oldwoman she changed into what shereally was - a forest toad. The toad didnot die but the fire badly burned itsskin and scorched it so terribly that itbecame rough, bumpy and wrinkled.

And it has remained that way untiltoday.

WHY THE FORESTTOAD HAS BUMPS

ADAPTED FROM AN AMERINDIAN MYTH

36


CELEBRATING AMERINDIAN HERITAGE MONTH

Peter Halderfrom page 23


37

I am from computersForm motherboards and dataI am from the sidewalk on the streetCopper shining, the sun feels warmI am from the photo album.The endless memoriesPassing through the generationsLike I saw through all of their eyes,I am from pizza and sunshades,From Ronnie and Keenan.I am from the statuesAnd the stones,From stillness and motion.I am from a buildingMy essence is intertwinedAnd myself, I am dominance.I am from the lights in the alley,Always glowing bright,Sometimes I shut off, the tired eyes of my fatherNever truly awake.I am from the arcade on the street,Day by day, gathering dustSwitching on and off,An endless cycle.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Yekini PlanteYekini Plante, age 17, Senior atBrooklyn College Academy; ofGuyanese and St. Lucian parentage.

SUBMIT YOUR POEMS FOR CONSIDERATION TO:[email protected]

POETS & POETRY

A Bond of

ThoughtBy Yekini Plante

The Second Inter-GuianaCultural Festival was heldin Guyana, August 23- 26,

2012. Eustace RicardoBraithwaite, well-knownGuyanese educator and famousauthor was the Guest of Honorat the launching of the Festival,participating countries ofwhich included French Guiana,Suriname and Guyana. Dr.Braithwaite was officiallydeclared the Patron of the festi-val by the host country repre-sentative. He was initially invit-ed by the Government ofGuyana to observe his 100th.Birthday Anniversary in hisnative land on June 27, 2012.His actual visit was timed tocoincide with the Inter-GuianaCultural Festival.

Dr. Frank Anthony, Guyana’sMinister of Culture, Youth andSport, in recognizing Dr.Braithwaite as patron and dis-tinguished international educa-tor, remarked on his outstand-ing contribution to the literary

arts through his novel “To Sirwith Love” which became thecornerstone for cutting acrosscultural differences. His writingand its popularity across theglobe is testimony to the essen-tial role of literary thinkers andeducators in understanding uni-versal issues that challengediverse institutions and soci-eties. Apart from focusing oninter-regional exchange of Artand other cultural resources,the Festival provided a forum“…to exchange ideas, to teach,to reinforce each other throughcross fertilization with mutualstimulation. Out of these inter-actions and intersections of ourcultures, new forms of culturaland artistic creativity willemerge.” According to Dr.Anthony. E.R. Braithwaite isindeed the most befitting quin-tessential educator to lead sucha charge.

Apart from Dr. Braithwaite,other dignitaries attending theopening ceremony at the

National Cultural Centre includ-ed Director General of Cultureof Suriname, Mr. Stanley Sidoel,the Cultural Representative,Regional Council of FrenchGuiana, Ms. Fabienne Mathurin-Brouard, the Ambassador ofFrance to Guyana/Suriname, HisExcellency, Mr. David Marcy,and Dr. Anthony. With thetheme "Celebrating ourCulture: Bridging ourFriendship," the interacting ofcultural talents from FrenchGuiana, Suriname and Guyana,displayed excellent stage per-formances of song, music,dance, storytelling, the best ofart and crafts, as well as intel-lectual discussions, proved thatthere is quite a lot in commonamong the French, Dutch andEnglish speaking Guianas. Itmust be noted that there was avery strong representation ofAmerindian culture - dance inparticular - from Suriname.

The Friday of Dr. Braithwaite'svisit was principally his day to"Meet the Press." That morninghe was driven to the Studio ofthe National CommunicationsNetwork (NCN) onHomestretch Avenue for thatengagement. The principal ses-sion was a half hour interviewin which he answered challeng-ing questions which wasrecorded and subsequentlyaired. That evening he returnedto the National Cultural Centrewhere he enjoyed the manyentertaining, heritage presenta-tions by performers fromFrench Guiana, Suriname andGuyana.

His visit was indeed a cher-ished moment and an unprece-dented opportunity for theregion to benefit from the pres-ence and contributions of atrue “Guiana educationalist” ofinternational caliber and fame.

E.R Braithwaite:Educational Stalwart andPatron of the Inter-GuianaCultural Festival

INTER-GUIANA CULTURAL FESTIVAL

EDUCATION & CULTURE

38

Francis Quamina Farrier


THE INTER-GUIANA CULTURAL FESTIVAL

Photo by Natasha Azeez


39

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Sept.25 Vol 2 AMERINDIAN HERITAGE MONTH · 2012-09-06 · Margaret Lawrence, Francis Quamina Farrier. Please join our Facebook group, Website: GCA Secretariat 1368 E.89 Street, Suite