Guyana_Chronicle_Pepperpot_Epaper_12_20_2020

The Rose Hall Town Christmas Village

Keeping the Christmas spirit alive amidst uncertain times

Sunday, December 20, 2020

Members of the Rose Hall Town and Sports Club proudly display one of the attractions of the Christmas Village. This tradition was launched six years ago to promote the true meaning of Christmas -- the birth of Christ-- and attracts visitors from all across Guyana (Marissa Foster photo)

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, December 20, 2020

from the

Pepperpot Team This has no doubt been a tumultuous year filled with uncertainties, disappointments, losses and setbacks. Of course, it has not been all bad- as we are taught to remain thankful for even the smallest wins amidst the chaos. The same can be said for those on the Pepperpot team, having experienced challenges while navigating this ever-changing environment. Below are some sentiments shared by a few writers and columnists from our team as we close this year off and wait to see what the new year brings.

Jasmaine Payne, Editor, Feature Writer What a year! I can’t decide whether it was bad or good, but it will surely be a year to be remembered. I had my own trials to overcome due to the Coronavirus and other distractions. But despite uncertainties that lingered, I had an amazing support system that saved me from many difficulties and I was also able to enjoy certain achievements in my academic and personal life. I think the biggest lesson I have learnt is the importance of being patient and grateful. On behalf of the Pepperpot Team, I wish all our readers a Merry Christmas and a safe and healthy New Year and urge you to remember that amidst the bad, there will always be good, so never forget to acknowledge that.

Vishani Ragoobeer

Jasmaine Payne

Vishani Ragoobeer, Columnist, Big Little Voice Reflecting on the year gone by is an overwhelming experience. I don’t know of anyone who expected 2020 to go the way it did, whether globally (a whole pandemic!) or locally (a political epidemic!). For me, there are so many highlights, challenges, and lessons I’m yet to fully appreciate. One thing is certain, however: 2020 has shown me that each day, my goal should be to try my best regardless of what I’m confronted See Page XXIV

Christmas behind bars

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, December 20, 2020

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No visits due to pandemic, but hope remains alive about being reintegrated into society

By Michel Outridge THE Christmas season is usually a time for joy, laughter and giving; a time to spend with family and loved ones.

Many persons look forward to this festive season, but not everyone has the luxury of being able to participate in the celebrations. For those who are unable to really enjoy Christmas, it can be a very tough time. For persons who are confined behind bars, it is no different. In fact, some prisoners do get emotional at this time, while others hold on to the hope that they will get out one day and be reunited with their loved ones.

This year, the Pepperpot Magazine visited the Timehri

Terrence Sahadeo

Prison, Timehri, East Bank Demerara and interacted with a group of inmates to find out how they would spend their time behind bars during the festive season.

Life at the Timehri Prison

Acting Superintendent of Prisons, Amias Benjamin, was on hand to provide a guided a tour of the facility and also took the time to make available four prisoners who shared their experiences with the team.

Benjamin reported that the Timehri Prison was initially a remand centre and was not designed as a maximum security facility, but following the Camp Street Prison fire which gutted the entire building, they had to make accommodation for 140 convicted prisoners, some of whom had short sentences.

He stated that they have three sections of dormitories which house convicts and they have a full strength of 40 prison officers on duty.

Benjamin reported that they utilised the 1.5 acres of land to cultivate cash crops and the produce is used in the kitchen and the excess is sent to other prisons.

He added that the farming is done by prisoners, but due to the pandemic they have scaled down on planting.

Benjamin told the Pepperpot Magazine that they have the

facilities to engage inmates in skills training as well as classroom sessions.

They have block-making, joinery, carpentry, the tailor shop, the trade shop literacy sessions and the kitchen, where some prisoners are trained in culinary arts.

The prison officer stated that they have things to do while incarcerated that will prepare them after serving their sentences to be re-integrated into society.

He disclosed that those who participated in violent crimes have to attend anger management classes and other rehabilitation sessions, which are all mandatory.

Benjamin stated that they have several other training courses and they have partnered with Nations University through IDB funding to have a needs assessment in terms of training needed at the facility and other training programmes will be introduced over time.

He pointed out that after completion of those courses convicts will receive certificates which are recognised in the workforce, so when they get out they can become gainfully employed.

“We are aiming to make the convicts marketable when they get out, so that in itself augurs well for society and they can be employed for their skills,” he said.

Not like other Christmases Benjamin added that for the Christmas season they would usually have their Christmas tree light-up, which members of the public, the community would attend including children and they would have a cultural programme, but with the coronavirus (COVID-19) that will not take place this year.

He noted that annually they would have gifts for the children of the community and the family-bonding for prisoners, whereby their families would visit and have the opportunity to bring home-cooked meals and sit and chat with inmates have also been cancelled due to the pandemic.

Currently, all visits have been cancelled and there are all safety protocols in place where all prison officers are sanitised before entering the compound and hand sanitiser is placed in all sections of the facility, making it available to all prisoners.

Benjamin revealed that since the inmates are away from their families for the holidays, they would ensure they enjoy

The Tailor Shop

Block-making in jail

The Trade Shop

meals such as Pepperpot and bread, cakes and other goodies as if they were at home.

He reported that they would have church services and other activities, when the inmates get to showcase their talents, but these will not take place this year.

From the prisoners’ perspectives Under a supervised interview, convict Terrence Sahadeo told the Pepperpot Magazine that after their usual routine on Christmas morning, they would get specially prepared meals and they would have activities to pass the time festively.

He said that this year, it is sad he would not be seeing any family members due to safety precautions.

Sahadeo, 56, is awaiting word from the Parole Board for his release, it will soon be his 36th year in prison and he is looking forward to going home.

In jail, he is in charge of the Tailor Shop, an acquired skill he developed over the years and would sew uniforms for both inmates and prison officers.

“I survive this place every day, knowing that there is hope of me getting out one day; so that brings me some comfort of being reunited with my family once again,” he said.

Another inmate, Prince David Reid told the Pepperpot Magazine that this year would be his fourth Christmas in jail.

He recalled that the first Christmas was spent behind bars at the Lusignan Prison and he was moved to tears because he missed his home See Page XXV and family; but thanks to his dormitory mates, they man-

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, December 20, 2020

Some of the attractions in the Christmas Village (Marissa Foster photos)

The Rose Hall Town Christmas Village Keeping the spirit alive amidst uncertain times

By Marissa Foster The festive season is celebrated exquisitely by the people of the ancient county of Berbice. The Rose Hall Town and Sports Club’s Annual Christmas Village is an example of that state-

ment. This year, the coordinators of the village wanted to expand and improve the festivities of the event but due to COVID-19, that could not have happened.

Hilbert Foster is the secretary/CEO of the Rose Hall Town and Sports Club,

M.S. His club decided to launch such an initiative six years ago to promote the true meaning of Christmas; the birth of Jesus Christ on the Christian calendar and the season of joy and giving.

The Christmas Village is one of the first of its kind in

Guyana and people usually travel from near and far to see the attractions. It has become one of Berbice’s main attractions during the Christmas season.

Joel Pike is a resident of Rose Hall Town and he expressed his gratitude and excitement about the village by saying; “The Christmas Village always had a special place in me and my family’s heart. We look forward for it every year and we are so happy that it will still be around this year.” Denica Henry is a Berbice social media influencer who hails from Bloomfield, a neighbouring village of Rose Hall. She expressed her appreciation for the Christmas Village by saying, “This is a wonderful initiative. There are not many family-oriented Christmas outing options around but this village serves as the best model of one. I am glad that despite COVID-19, Berbicians will still be able to upkeep the festivities of Christmas as the village is a safe alternative for families to go out during the pandemic.”

The Christmas Village has received permission from the National COVID-19 task force to host this year ’s event with strict measures and guidelines from The Covid-19 Emergency Measures (No.12). The festivities start on the 22nd to 24th of December at 14:00 hrs to 22:00 hrs. Every person who enters the vicinity must wear a face mask and will have their temperature checked and their hands, feet and belongings will be sanitized. A maximum of 60 persons will be allowed for approximately 20 minutes at a time. Social distancing will be in effect at all times and persons who fail to observe these rules will be asked to leave the premises. The event is also hosted in an outside venue, on the lawns of the Rose Hall Town Primary School.

Families will be able to view sights and take pictures of various festive scenes such as a 20-foot Christmas tree, inflatable Christmas characters, a family festive bridge, a Christmas chimney, toy houses and the Nativity scene.

The RHTYSC reassured the general public that they will abide by all of the COVID-19 measures that will ensure the safety of everyone in attendance. They explained that they have worked above and beyond to spread the Christmas cheer because they understand the current uncertainty the world is experiencing. The club hopes that their efforts can put a smile on the faces of families in Berbice. The club is aware of how deeply embedded the village is with the Christmas culture in Berbice. “It’s just like baking your black cake, preparing ginger beer or shopping for Christmas gifts—it is Berbice’s new way and improved way of observing Christmas,” explained Hilbert Foster.

“We know how much this village means to a lot of families. Wear your masks, stay six feet apart and come into our Christmas wonderland—you won’t be disappointed.”

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, December 20, 2020

‘COVID ain’t got nothing on a Guyanese Christmas’

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Guyanese determined to enjoy the holidays despite the pandemic

By Naomi Parris Guyanese are known to be extravagant during the Christmas season.

During this time of the year most persons can be seen hustling and bustling and manoeuvring through the streets of Georgetown to start or finish their Christmas shopping; and one with think that with the ongoing coronavirus (COVID) pandemic things might slow down.

However, Guyanese have proclaimed that ‘COVID ain’t got nothing on a Guyanese Christmas’ This week the Pepperpot Magazine caught up with Lizley Edwards as she was shuffling through some decorations at the Giftland Mall to complete her Christmas shopping.

The woman, in a brief interview, said that while there are limitations due to COVID-19 protocols, her plans will not be phased by the pandemic. “ We l l b e c a u s e o f COVID-19 this year, we are shopping and we are celebrating Christmas but we are doing it with a lot of precaution,” Edwards said adding: “I won’t be going out and meeting with friends for the Christmas Eve night celebrations. We won’t be a part of that but for family, we will be having everything

The Pepperpot Magazine caught up with a few persons shopping for a few household items to swank up and decorate homes fo

Lizley Edwards along with her two daughters doing some last-minute Christmas shopping at the Gift land Mall (Delano Williams photos)

Christmas at home. COVID isn’t stopping us.”

Meanwhile, Lotoya Johnson who described herself as a Christmas enthusiast, noted that while she won’t be able to practice some of her traditional Christmas activities, she will be making the most of this

Lotoya Johnson

year’s holiday season.

“For the holiday’s I’m just going to spend it with my family and just have a nice and peaceful Christmas. I think that what is the problem due to the COVID, I can’t get to go out as much with the kids, mostly Christmas Eve, we will go look at the different decorations and so forth so that is one of the disadvantages right now for the holiday,” she said.

A Guyanese home would not be “Christmasy” without the smell of pepperpot or black cake emanating from the kitchen hence Johnson told the Pepperpot Magazine that she will be cooking up a storm for her family on Christmas day.

“I’ll make my pepperpot, bake my bread. Christmas Day I’ll make a delicious meal for my family and I’ll just spend the day quiet,” she said.

Meanwhile, Amid Narine told the Pepperpot Magazine that while he does not make too much of a fuss about the Christmas season, he will be spending the holidays quietly with his family indoors to protect himself and loved ones from the virus.

“Quiet and normal, I just gone do the same thing- I gone just cook and stay

home,” he said.

But for Shawne Persaud, Christmas this year will not be the same. The young man explained that given the current situation with the pandemic and the atmosphere he does not feel like it’s Christmas. However, he will try to make the best of the season and try to observe all COVID-19 protocol.

Meanwhile, Bonita Prince, a young mother noted that she will spend her

Christmas holidays a bit simply this year with her small family.

“I’ll be spending Christmas with COVID-19 at home with my daughter and fiancé …basically the COVID-19 is like a throwback for everybody with Christmas but [it] is not stopping Christmas but then again we want to be careful because we want to live to see a new year,” she said.

The young woman told the Pepperpot Magazine that

given the effect the pandemic has had on her and a few close friends, she will be observing all the necessary precautions to ensure that she keeps herself and family safe.

“I realised that this COVID-19 is serious because I have close friends that passed away from this thing. It was people like I just saw them and then you just hear that they died from See Page XI

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, December 20, 2020 Vriesland Village

Vriesland A village that has withstood the test of time

By Michel Outridge This week the Pepperpot Magazine visited the far-fetched community of Vriesland, West Bank Demerara.

It is sandwiched between Vive-La-Force and Patentia and it is home to about 2,500 people, mostly of East Indian descent and some folk of Afro-Guyanese, who live in relative peace and quiet.

The village is bordered by a long canal after which there are 16,000 acres of cane fields which were used to cultivate sugar cane but after the closure of the Wales Sugar Estate in 2016 it was later converted into farmlands.

On the other side are houses, the sea dam and the Demerara River, of which

Village Leader, Michael Chatoo

farmers from further down, the villages of Maria’s Lodge, Free and Easy and Calabash Alley. Due to the state of the muddy dam, they would use the river via boats

to bring out their produce at the koker.

Just under some shady trees along the roadway, there are shops and some wooden benches for villagers

to sit and chat or just have a bit of relaxation.

The nearest health centre is a village away at Viva-LaForce and the nursery and primary school are next door to the health facility while the secondary school is at Patentia.

In this village there is no shortage of shops and the greens and grocery vans would visit the community on a drive-through weekly.

The fishermen in the village would sell their catch to locals and some people have

kitchen gardens.

The people of Vriesland are farmers, fishermen, teachers, nurses, carpenters, masons, painters and other skilled workers.

Some villagers work outside the community and hold good jobs in offices in both the private and public sectors.

There are more than 206 houses within this community of which are located close to the sea dam and to get to them one must go through alleyways and small walkways.

This village has no shortages of nooks and crannies and form the looks of things people respect each other and go about their daily activities in a civil manner.

For some people, their small business is the main source of their income and there are some livestock farmers too.

Vriesland is a unique community because of its quaint appearance and the friendliness of its people.

See Page XI

Villagers

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, December 20, 2020

The entrepreneurs of Vriesland Village

By Michel Outridge

MARGARET Rudolph, along with her husband, daughter and an employee, drive through Vriesland, West Bank Demerara with their canter truck to sell vegetables and fruits every Monday.

West Bank of Demerara and would begin selling from Patentia to Vriesland and a few other villages along the way.

Rudolph told the Pepperpot Magazine that they sell from Mondays to Wednesdays weekly and this has been their small business

after the business grew and they acquired some money they bought a canter truck and began going to villages to sell.

However, Rudolph said she had to get help after she had an accident some time ago and injured her legs, so she got her daughter and a villager working with her.

The stay-at-home mom Another villager, Alexandria Ramdhani called “Rena,” told the Pepperpot Magazine that she has been living at Vriesland Village for the past 35 years and she, like many other housewives,

Ramdhani is originally from Coverden, East Bank Demerara, but relocated many years ago to Vriesland.

The mother of six stated that three of her children reside with her and all have their own quarters; she has three grandchildren.

The shopkeeper Just over the road another resident, Bibi Ghanny, who moved from Good Hope, East Coast Demerara with her three children, bought a house at Vriesland and decided to have her own small business -- a shop.

Six years ago, she opened

Debo Foo (Carl Croker photos)

ing.

The fish vendor Dedo Foo is a fish ven-

Bibi Ghanny

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that she has two underage children and she is trying with them as is, because with schools out it has been diffi-

Alexandria Ramdhani called “Rena”

Rudolph would sit at the back of the canter truck to deal with sales while her husband is the driver.

They buy fruits and vegetables from Bourda and Stabroek Markets to re-sell and try to make a profit from this business venture.

The 62-year-old is from Sisters Village, also on the

since 1977.

“I used to buy and sell greens with my mother before marriage and after that, I started doing it alone, then I made it a family business,” she said.

Rudolph related that she would wake up early and go by bus to the market to make the necessary purchases, then

would look forward to seeing the greens van.

They purchase enough to last a week and when the goods van comes, they would buy groceries.

a small village shop selling every little thing as well as cold beverages for thirsty visitors, for which she is licensed.

The roadside shop has a shed and is by the canal, the perfect place for a quick beer or some peace and quiet time.

Ghanny said life is quiet and simple at Vriesland and she is doing her bit to earn and things are fair so far.

With one minor, Ghanny said she has time to focus on her business and working with herself is very satisfy-

Margaret Rudolph and her workers on the canter truck selling greens and fruits in Vriesland

Bibi Ghanny’s shop

Debo Foo’s sheep out for grazing in Vriesland Village

dor in Vriesland, West Bank Demerara, but due to the pandemic things on the business side have slowed a bit, as such, she is not selling presently.

The 52-year-old stated that she used to buy and sell fish from the Meadowbank wharf after waking up early to make the journey.

The mother of four added

cult for everybody to cope with COVID-19.

She is residing in her father-in-law’s house and is also rearing some sheep to bring in an income to the home.

Foo has parked her fish cart for now and until she can re-start her small business, she will remain at home.

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, December 20, 2020

Talk of yesteryear makes this 80-year-old very happy

By Michel Outridge THESE days, Chatto (only name) does things around the home for himself, including cooking, but he still has the time for a friendly chat of many things from yesteryear.

The 80-year-old is a resident of Vriesland, West Bank Demerara and had just finished cooking some food – dhal and rice with fried fish.

“I don’t want nobody to cook for me, I does wake up early and prepare the pot and there is enough time to do things for myself,” he said.

The father of five stated that he spent 31 years at the Wales Sugar Estate as a cane-cutter and that job enabled him to look after his home and family.

Chatto told the Pepperpot Magazine that he doesn’t get a lot of visitors and when he does, he is always pleased to

interact with people.

He related that he retired in 1987 and has never one day taken a rest, since he is active and would always be doing something to occupy his time.

“I had a hard life, survived two wives and six children, one of whom died and I lived under a bottom house for 15 years before I could afford to get my own place and that felt good, living under my own roof,” he said.

The senior citizen stated that life in Vriesland Village is Chatoo (Carl Croker quiet and he enjoys the peace photos) since he has time to reflect on days gone by.

He stated that he came from humble beginnings, from a poor family of Anna Catherina, West Coast Demerara and left home when he got married to his first wife.

Chatoo has been a resident of Vriesland for the past 51 years but sadly, his second wife passed away six years ago.

“Like many people, I wanted to grow old with my wife and watch the sunset, but she had diabetes and she did not receive proper medical attention because she had an abscess which turned gangrene. She died 22 days after being hospitalised and that was the saddest day of my life,” he said.

The elderly gentleman reported that he used to first work Chatoo’s turkeys in his yard

at the Leonora Sugar Estate in 1956 and then relocated to Wales Sugar Estate in 1969.

It is believed that he is the oldest resident of the community.

Some time ago, he was allocated a plot of land at Free and Easy, two villages away, to plant, but he has stopped due to old age but would go fishing sometimes.

Chatoo said the good thing is he was able to overcome his habit of being a chain smoker, who used to smoke 25 to 30 cigarettes per day.

That change took place 12 years ago. His wife wanted him to quit smoking and he tried his best to make her wish come true.

He began taking his health seriously when he started to experience chest pains and was hospitalised for cardiac arrest a few years ago.

“The doctor’s advice to me was that ‘if you want to live a bit longer, you need to stop smoking.’ I considered that and quit but it wasn’t easy, because smoking is very addictive,” he said.

Chatoo never drank even socially, but was hooked on cigarettes and it was a hard task to let go, but today he is very happy that he overcame that hurdle and can give testimony of it.

This elder has a kitchen garden, a few turkeys and some chickens in that yard that he tends to and has a lot to do around the yard and house to keep him occupied.

Chatoo’s advice to young people is to go after their dreams by working hard and making sacrifices, since nothing comes easily; to be steadfast in their beliefs and aspire to become successful in whatever they do.

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, December 20, 2020

‘Teach a man to fish…’

Vriesland fisherman talks about daily life in the profession

By Michel Outridge EVEN though there is a lot of uncertainty as regards fishing, for Thakurdeen Ramchand there is nothing else he would rather do for a living except be a fisherman.

The 53-year-old is a resident of Vriesland Squatting Area, West Bank Demerara and has two fishing boats which were moored at the koker in the village near the sea dam -- easy access to the Demerara River.

He was not fishing that day when he encountered the team; he had taken that day off because the tide was not right for fishing, so he stayed put.

Ramchand told the Pepperpot Magazine that fishing is hard work, hard labour in adverse weather conditions and it is not certain whether he would get a good catch.

He explained that rough tides would cause the seine to burst and break up the fish pen; and that is a lot of damage to endure.

Thakurdeen Ramchand’s fishing boats

The fisherman prefers to fish during daylight hours, because at nights it is not safe and visibility is poor.

He and his three-member crew would leave their homes and go to sea from 02:00hrs to about 80 miles into the Atlantic Ocean to catch coarse shrimp and banga.

His boat is equipped with a Chinese seine and he would fish for only coarse shrimp and banga, which he would sell right in the village.

Ramchand stated that his fishing trip would last for 12 hours and he would return to the village after that to sell the catch and divide the money among his crew.

“I have been at this job for 16 years and I can tell you it is no walk-in-the-park kind of work, because you have to know about the tides and a lot about fishing before you can go to sea,” he said.

He explained that he learned about fishing from his uncle and he worked and paid Courts for a boat and engine, after which he got his own boat and seine and engine to start fishing as his small business.

Ramchand said he never wanted to work with people because he is hearing-impaired and did not want folks to yell at him.

He is, however, sad that his wife passed away, but not before she had helped him buy another boat and engine.

The fisherman stated that his wife died about 20 years ago from cancer.

“It was my wife who encouraged me to start this business and we worked hard to achieve what we have today, but she is not around to enjoy the fruits of her labour, but I am thankful I had a good woman to support me,” he said.

Ramchand reported that it took him and his wife 13 years to get their own boat and engine and it was not easy.

That day when he met the team, he was at the koker to

Thakurdeen Ramchand (Carl Croker photos)

check on his fishing boats and the tide so he could make arrangements for his next fishing trip.

He stated that his three crew members are also from the village and they are people he is familiar with and trusts because at sea it is very different from being on land and they all depend on each other to have a good catch with teamwork.

“At sea there are many things to consider such as piracy. The fear of being robbed is most worrisome, but I have to work regardless and that motivates me to keep on going -- the need to earn,” he said.

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, December 20, 2020

Village elder Mahadeo Kancha (Carl Croker photos)

Miracle hands

Home-based massage therapy helping many people from far and wide

By Michel Outridge PEOPLE would journey from far and wide to get immediate relief from local therapy massage for pains and aches for the entire body at Mahadeo Kancha’s place at Vriesland Squatting Area, West Bank Demerara.

Kancha started out by looking at his father who, before, used to be the village man who massaged the pain out of many people who came to get relief from injuries among other pains of the body.

One day someone came to their house and was in dire need of relief from intense back pain and Kancha asked the person if they wanted him to try.

The person replied in the positive and within a few minutes he managed to use his fingers and slipped a disc, which was displaced, back in place in the man’s back.

From that day on he began his practice to help others when medical intervention would not.

It was in 1979 when he began his home-based therapy massage, using his fingers to bring the much-needed relief for many people including some overseas visitors.

Kancha, who has never been certified, would first send people to get an x-ray or a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) before he decides to assist them.

“Things like spinal cord, pinched nerve and spine I don’t interfere with, because that’s serious and those will have to seek the advice from the medical professionals,” he said.

If he cannot assist people he would refer them to a bone specialist or an orthopaedic specialist for them to assist.

Kancha told the Pepperpot Magazine that he would help people with neck, shoulder, back, foot and other ailments which are causThe bed Mahadeo Kancha uses to do his massage therapy ing them immense pain.

He would then issue his warnat the Wales Sugar Estate. ing for them not to lift heavy things or to do strenuous work, The father of four stated that he retired in 2008 before the to lie flat for some time to allow their bodies to heal properly. estate was closed, but not before he had an on-site accident The 72-year-old reported that due to the pandemic he is in the factory which caused him to have knee replacement not seeing people, because he was warned by the police to for both knees. adhere to the COVID-19 guidelines and not to have a crowd.

Kancha said he relocated to Vriesland Village in 1975; Kancha related that when it comes to pricing for his serin 2006 the place was regularised and he was given his land vice he doesn’t say, but whatever is given to him he would title. accept.

This village elder stated that over the years he has treatThe pensioner disclosed that he used to be a cane-cutter ed many people including some locals, some businessmen for many years after which he worked his way up to the and even doctors and doesn’t refuse to help people. factory as a porter, then a boiler/charge-hand then to foreman Kancha said these days he is not in prime health because of his hypertensive condition, but he is using some homemade remedies and would visit the Wales Sugar Estate dispensary for regular check-ups.

“Doing this kind of work is not a money-making scheme, but to help people who are suffering and are in pain and I get to meet a lot of people and make new friends [who have] become like family to me and that in itself is rewarding,” he said.

Kancha related that at times people who were expected to get surgery for different medical complaints would get his massage therapy and cancelled their surgeries after getting fixed almost immediately.

“People does come here to see me from all over this country, even overseas, and some people doesn’t even say thanks after being treated,” Kancha said, but stated that others would remember and call or reward him with tokens of appreciation.

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, December 20, 2020

Vriesland From Page VI It is home to Dr. Stephan Foo and our very own, Journalist Tamica Garnett.

The Village Leader The Pepperpot Magazine spoke to the Village Leader, Michael Chatoo, who reported that financially things are not so bright among residents but they are making use of what they have.

The 49-year-old stated that the most troubling situation among villagers

is the lack of employment since the closure of the Wales Sugar Estate in 2016.

He is among many men in the village that cannot find stable jobs.

The father of six added that having worked more than 30 years at in the sugar industry he would these days get a “one day, two-day work painting or construction hold-on” and although he is not versed in that field he would try.

Chatoo disclosed that he was the Shop Stewart for

A West Bank Demerara decorated house (Carl Croker photos)

Wales Sugar Estate and although they were to benefit from farmlands to have their own cultivation to earn that never materialised.

He said the lands were allocated to other people and presently he is residing at his elderly father’s house and would like to secure a plot to build his own house.

Chatoo alleges that 124 persons, most of whom are not sugar workers received a lease for plots of lands.

Residents benefitted from the government’s cash grant

of $25,000 per household but in that community, many live in an extended family setting as such a lot of people are without the cash grant and they are upset.

Chatoo was among those that did not receive the cash grant for COVID-19.

When the team caught up

Michael Chatoo and some men of the village

‘COVID ain’t got nothing ...

Bonita Prince

From Page V

COVID and I’m taking it very seriously whereby party is not affecting me and I’m just doing what I have to do wear my mask and just sanitize,” she said.

In sharing some advice to the general public, Prince said that during this time when there are restrictions of social gatherings and similar activities spending quality time with family and close friends is the best thing one can do.

“Quality time is the best thing you could have for Christmas. Corona wouldn’t stop you from having quality time whereby even if it’s on the phone you call somebody to wish them Merry Christmas you don’t have to see them,” she said.

with Chatoo, he was among a group of men from the village, who were under a shed chatting to pass time, a place they call their “chill spot”.

“Financially things are hard on the pockets because this morning is pancakes I made for my children and I will re-use curtains from last

year to fix up the house just to ensure the children get a good Christmas and offer them whatever I have on the table,” he said.

Chatoo reported that many men in the village would do odd jobs around the place to earn because there are no jobs for them.

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, December 20, 2020 CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, October 4, 2020

SOME USES OF PEPPERMINT OIL

THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS HAS DEFEATED THE PANDEMIC! MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

S

TODAY is the beginning of Christmas Week which, in the Guyanese tradition, forms part of Christmas, with Christmas Day being its climax. It is therefore appropriate for us to greet our readers with the traditional greeting, ‘Merry Christmas to you and yours!’

In the past, there were many years which were described as “annus mirabilis” -- a wonderful year, but almost none which could

mas a children’s celebration.

Though the schools were closed for several months, children communicated with each other by telephone and internet or would even visit each other and was a group who had overcome the fear of COVID-19 and were prepared to celebrate Christmas.

Now we are at the threshold of Christmas, the blythe spirit of the festival seemed to have put the drooling moroseness exuded by the pandemic to flight. The shops have been decorated and have brought out their Christmas goods and shoppers are appearing in greater numbers and the commercial districts have recovered much of their liveliness. With the brilliant light of the tree-lined Main Street Avenue being the centrepiece proclaiming that Christmas is alive and well as it always was.

The newspapers and television have their fill of colourful advertisements us that the Christmas spir- with various Christmas it and ethos which are so motifs and music strengthmuch a part of the Guyanese ening the “feel” of the seapsyche began to assert or son and allowing people to manifest itself and people enjoy the famous “Christseemed to become kinder mas Weather” with its cool and more charitable to each breezes, blue skies, low other. Though the state was silver clouds, vegetation in deficit, it decided to en- of a brighter green, suncourage the population with light with a golden tint, a message of optimism and pastel sunsets and long hope: Old Age Pensions were dusks bathed in light blue increased; many taxes were light. The pandemic has abolished or reduced; the not affected the Guyanese cost of water was subsidised; Christmas menu which has hampers of food were dis- continued with its cook-up, tributed and every household pepperpot, ham, barbecued chicken and roast potatoes, was gifted $25,000.

Whether or not the state curries and roti, braised or was influenced by the Christ- fresh vegetables, with desmas spirit, ordinary folk serts of fresh fruit and varshowed greater concern for ious types of cakes and the their fellow man and would ever-present ginger beer. do what they could to help The Guyanese Christmas lunch or dinner has assertthe needier.

Christmastime, with its ed its invincibility to the long school holidays, the pandemic. The pandemic Nativity Story with which mists of depressing pessichildren could identify, the mism which had clouded many Christmas songs and most of 2020 have now carols which refer to chil- been dissipated by the redren and the festive celebra- surgence of the Christmas tions where children always Spirit. had a place made ChristDIH and Demerara Distillers Ltd (DDL) which were once attended by thousands in a festive atmosphere.

With the lockdowns and curfews, business hours were severely restricted and the tempo of the economy became slower and slower resulting in thousands of workers in the private sector being laid off or put on half-pay.

As we moved from the third to the last quarter of the year, the atmosphere began to change and it seemed to

OME months ago, this column carried an article on mint. The article treated mint as a folk medicine, but did make some reference to peppermint oil.

In this offering, we will be dealing with approximately 20 uses of peppermint oil and although the uses identified are different, the treatment tends to be similar. We would however not try to consolidate, but would deal with every use and its treatment individually.

Peppermint is derived from a species of herb, mint, which has over 20 varieties, but the two varieties most known are peppermint and spearmint. The main component of these mint species is menthol.

Peppermint oil, which has more menthol than spearmint, is extracted from the peppermint plant.

Peppermint oil was used for thousands of years and was known among the Greeks, Romans, Chinese and Indians. Inbe described as “annus miserabilis”-or deed, it isa disastrous still an important item in modern Chinese pharmadistressing year. 2020 has copeia.

Two Chinese produced peppermint-based products, the infamous distinction of being classified as one of Shiling Oil and Tiger Balm, are well known and widely used the worst years in Guyanese history an “annus miserabiin Guyana. lis.” In this year, Guyanese Although peppermint oil was known and used in the people were tormented with strangecentury and dangerous po19th

by Western countries (even in producing other litical happenings, the likes of which had never beforeonly in the last few generations that inmedicines), it was been experienced. But even tensive research on it had been done. Such research found worse, the country suddenly became enveloped by the could bring relief to several kinds of ailthat peppermint oil COVID-19 pandemic which almost destroyed ments in- the social cluding digestive problems, bacterial and cultural life as well as infection, inflammation, fatigue, muscular the business life and economy of the country. Peosoreness, congestion, allergies, ple could no longer meet hin egroups a d --- the restaurants aches and halitosis. and other public places had e - and at funerals low we list a number of to beB closed and weddings, only the few ailments and their peppermint who were directly concerned ocouldiattend. l Business meettreatment. (These were ings were aborted or had to ttakea place k - by Zoom, a very en from a reputable impersonal way which led to publication on alternative minimum participation. Exmediamples of this were the Annual General Meetings of public cine.) companies such as Banks

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, December 20, 2020 The first GDF Chief-of-Staff Col. Clarence Price (at centre third row) with the troops at a hinterland camp during the Christmas season

Christmas traditions of the GDF

By Francis Quamina Farrier CHRISTMAS activities remain very popular with the Guyana Defence Force. In this article, we will take a look at the Christmas celebrations in the early years of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF). To do that, I contacted a few retired top brasses of the Guyana Defence Force, including Lt. Col. Carl Morgan, who graciously shared some of his own activities as a senior officer in the GDF during Christmas seasons in the past. “Christmas in the GDF followed British military traditions,” he pointed out. “In the days preceding Christmas, the Chief-of-Staff and/ or commanding officers

would visit coastal and interior locations and serve the troops with Christmas lunch.” In some instances, that included residents of neighbouring communities to GDF camps. “In the interior, the local residents were invited. In the main camps, we started serving in ware plates with glasses and metal cutlery,” Morgan pointed out. “The invited included prominent citizens of those communities who were served like the troops. If the GDF location was near a small village, the entire village may be invited,” said Morgan, who added that “sweets, chocolates, nuts and soft drinks were shared out to the children.”

Lt. Col. Carl Morgan was an officer in the GDF

from its inception. Back in that early period, the GDF was known nationally as “The People’s Army” and many retired members now look back with pride to a time when the men in uniform were highly regarded.

Carl Morgan revealed that “Over the years as the social and economic environment changed, the old traditions were, as expected, adjusted, but the spirit remains basically the same.” On retirement, Lt. Col. Carl Morgan served Guyana as Ambassador to Suriname from 1990 to 1992.

Reminiscing about her travels to hinterland locations and being the Personal Assistant to Commander Ulric Pilgrim, Capt. Cheryl Moore reflected specifically on the Christmas 1973 cel-

Capt. Cheryl Moore, standing with microphone, singing Christmas carols at the GDF Camp at Lethem, Rupununi, 1973

In this 1973 photograph, Lt. Col. Carl Morgan is seen serving Christmas lunch at the GDF Camp at Lethem in Region Nine

ebration at the GDF Base at Lethem, Region Nine, where she also sang for the troops. It would be recalled that Capt. Moore and Capt.

Beverley Drake were two women aviators who were honoured with their images being placed on Guyana postage stamps a few years ago.

There is “Soldiers Day” during the festive season.

It is a day when the junior ranks lord it over their senior officers, so to speak.

On that day, the junior ranks are permitted to do anything within reason to their senior officers. That included calling them by their first names and even by their false names -something they dare not

do during ordinary times.

Putting it all in perspective, Lt. Col. Carl Morgan explained, “Soldiers would remove badges of rank from some of their superior officers and would walk around wearing them. Music was loud and there was singing and dancing. All clean healthy fun. I do not recall any gross ill-discipline or any serious damage to person or property,” Morgan related. He also spoke of being involved in a wrestling match one year, which he undertook with Warrant Officer (WO) Garth Angoy who was one of the toughest WOs of the day. It was a battle See Page XXVII

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, December 20, 2020

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, December 20, 2020

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, December 20, 2020

Spare a thought this Christmas CHRISTMAS has always been touted as a time for family and togetherness, but I can’t help thinking about all of the trauma that was faced this year and spare my thoughts, at the very least, for the affected families.

This is my pre-Christmas column, and while I wanted to integrate my column with the rest of the warm and maybe cheery stories in this edition of the Pepperpot, I am mentally incapable of doing so.

This past week a mother confessed to hitting her sixyear-old child with a piece of wood. The child was left in an unconscious state and the mother fled the scene.

The child, as of Tuesday, was in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). A few days before, a man burnt his wife and two young children to death.

These are only two recent events, following a spate of such events this year alone.

I’ve always been cognisant of the ‘bliss’ of the Christmas season; the magical feeling brought by the fairy lights and decorations, ‘fancy’ food and goodies, and whatever was in the air that just made everything seem so idyllic. I don’t feel that this year.

What I feel is this lingering sense of pain and trauma, drawn from the violence against vulnerable individuals-- women and children.

I think about the families in pain, suffering from these traumas. And if there is anything that I’m certain about, it is that we have to do better.

There is a pervasive culture of silence in Guyana

which helps to empower perpetrators, who are more often than not, men. Exacerbating this is that by victim-blaming instead of culprit-blaming, we embolden these perpetrators. But it is more than what a man does or does not do.

Women’s rights activist Danuta Radzik related recently that the root causes of these occurrences include gender inequality, gender discrimination and the social system of patriarchy.

I see activists and other social workers working day in and day out trying their best to create a safer Guyana for vulnerable groups, but then incidents such as these occur and I try to imagine the kind of resilience they must possess to keep pushing against an oppressive system.

I think a lot about the strained racial and ethnic relations emphasised this year, too. I think about how biases, stereotypes, prejudices, and perceptions proliferated our social (including social media) spaces. As we wind down to Christmas, what relationships have been strained or even damaged?

And do we sulk for a bit and then go back to that place where everything is “alright”, at least on the surface? Or are we willing to engage in conversations where we can listen and learn from each other, and allow ourselves to really heal and potentially, uncover solidarity?

I think it is important for us to recognise that these issues are not isolated problems. They are part of an inherent system of inequalities, informed not only by race and ethnicity, but also by

class and gender.

And while I do believe that decision and policymakers do have a role to play, I also believe that as individuals there are approaches we can take, particularly those of us who are better informed.

We have to try speaking with our family members, friends, and community members about things we see happening, even if it is uncomfortable and difficult at first.

I don’t want to sound like a broken record, playing the same tune week after week, but I genuinely do believe that dialogue has a role to play in our efforts of “doing better.” Dialogue helps us to talk about wrongly held biases, stereotypes, prejudices, and perceptions. It also helps to empower us all because it provides not only a safe space for us to be heard, but also a safe space to listen and learn.

I hope this Christmas when we’re with our loved ones we can think about all of the pain and trauma from this year and think about how we can do better going forward.

Before I go, lest we forget, Joel and Isaiah Henry (“the Henry boys”) and Haresh Singh were also gruesomely murdered just a few months ago, and the perpetrators have not been brought to justice as yet. I hope we can share our thoughts for those families and what they must be feeling at this time.

If you would like to discuss this column or any of my previous writings, please feel free to contact me via email: vish14ragobeer@gmail.com

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, December 20, 2020

Steering clear of COVID-19 this Christmas MOST of us faced many challenges this year due to the pandemic. We’ve cried, we’ve lost, our anxieties peaked so of course many of us are looking forward to the most wonderful time of the year. Christmas has always been deeply rooted in Guyanese traditions and celebrations, so it might be difficult to give that up.

Many of us would like to celebrate Christmas this year, but how can we do so without putting ourselves and our families at risk to the COVID-19 virus?

There are many factors to consider before you decide to host a Christmas gathering. Does your community have a high rate of COVID-19 cases? Are the persons who will be attending your gathering coming from high-risk communities themselves? What means of transportation are they coming with? These questions and many more must be answered before you plan your gathering.

You also have to consider if they came into contact with anyone who has/ may have the virus, or if they have any symptoms of the virus. All gatherings

should be held outdoors or in large, spacious and ventilated rooms; everyone should wear masks and they should stay at least six feet apart.

For some, this might be too expensive or time-consuming, so the best option could be family household video

your families. It’s also important to sanitise everything that enters your home. From your Christmas presents and gifts to your grocery bags and the items and even your shoes. We all have a part to play if we want to see a decrease in the number of

chat sessions with other family households.

As we know, Guyanese are big on road/ block parties during the Christmas season as well. I encourage you all to steer clear of these because, at the end of the day, you have to return home to

cases.

Christmas is a very special occasion, yes. But, COVID-19 won’t stay away because it’s a special occasion -- no. As you shop, plan your Christmas dinners/gatherings, receive presents and visit loved

ones during this holiday; I hope you all keep in mind that we are still amid a pandemic. Everyone deserves to be jolly and happy this

Christmas season. Gee! We deserve it after the year we’ve had. At the same time, let’s do all that we can to prevent the spread

of this deadly virus for the recovery and betterment of ourselves, our loved ones, our country and the rest of the world.

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, December 20, 2020

C – glorious morn

HRISTMAS – such a wonderful season when hearts rejoice and the warmth of joy and happiness fills the air, the beautiful sounds of carols in the night and sparkling lights on every home.

The little boy standing by the window looked up at the dark sky. There were no stars tonight, the Heavens looked lonely and he thought, “The angels must be away taking care of all the lonely children in the world.”

His eyes searched the sky and just a faint glow he saw, and he whispered, “Are you there, mom? Will you come to visit me?”

A question he had asked so many times over the years. He yearned for her love, to feel her motherly comfort, to hear her voice and see her sweet smile and each night as he laid in bed, she would sing him a song; the music in her voice only he heard, the smile on her face only he saw.

He had begun questioning God when he understood what had happened.

“Why did you take her away from me? Why when I opened my eyes to welcome this world, her eyes closed in farewell?”

His father had become so grieved and broken at her loss, he couldn’t look at the baby.

She had died in childbirth due to unexpected complications and somehow the baby was blamed for that. He was taken home but his father’s dislike caused tensions in the home, especially in the night when he cried so much, just to hear a loving, kind voice.

Six months later, after his father had left the home to work in another region and leaving him in the care of relatives whose negligence made him almost die twice, social workers took him away from that home of hell and the orphanage became his new home. Sometimes in his mind, he rued, pain in his young heart of his father abandoning him.

He sat by the window each night, looking at the twinkling stars, reaching his little hands out as though he could touch them for he felt his mother lived with the angels amongst the stars. And his young heart had wished that he be given a mother like the angels in Heaven.

This Christmas that was all he wanted, that was all he had ever wanted.

He was a brave boy, he tried never to cry nor to feel sad, just to hope and pray that what was so precious and had been taken away from him could be returned. He believed that Christmas was that time when magic waltzed in the air and miracles happened.

“Daniel,” a kind but authoritative voice broke into his thoughts.

He turned around and obediently said, “Good night,” to the House Mother, Sister Claire.

As he got into bed, a tiny little star peeped out from the darkened sky twinkling at him.

Sister Claire looked at the sleeping little boy, a worried look in her face. He had been here at the orphanage, almost six years now and no one seemed to want him, and she wondered why he was so unlucky. Several people over the years had expressed interest in adopting him but strangely at the last moment, they always changed their minds. What she didn’t know was that it was the boy himself who didn’t want to be adopted by those who came before.

In his innocent mind, he knew none of them had been sent by God. She hoped tomorrow would be a good day for him, for someone was coming to see him.

The next morning was Christmas day and at the orphanage, there was eager for the scrumptious breakfast served and excitement for the opening of presents. Daniel opened the gift Santa had brought him and he smiled wryly, “Of course, a remote-control racing car.”

“I wonder,” he mused, “Where is God’s gift?”

In the Chapel, late that afternoon as he looked at Mother Mary and the Christ Child, he thought of questioning God, again when a voice called his name, “Daniel.”

That voice, he recognized for often he had heard it in his mind, the warmth flowing in his being. He turned around slowly, whispering fervently, “Please let it be her.”

She was standing by the door, simple and beautiful as he had imagined. She smiled sweetly at him.

“Merry Christmas, Daniel, I’ve come to offer you a home with me and my little family.”

He stared at her, not saying anything, choked with emotion. So long he had yearned for this, hoping and praying for something special in his life.

Today on Christmas Day, after seven years, God had given back to him the precious gift he had taken.

He won’t anymore be that lonely little boy, sitting by the window looking at the stars, he would now have a home and a family with the love and warmth he had yearned for – the miracle of Christmas.

Taken from https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamiecartereurope/2020/11/20/a-spectacularly-rare-christmas-star-is-coming-in-december-as-two-worlds-align-after-sunset/?sh=f637b26b0845

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, December 20, 2020

Business as usual?

Stores still seeing promising turnout for Christmas shopping

By Jared Liddell WITH Christmas shopping in full swing, the business community has had to adapt to the new mode of operation. In the weeks leading up to Christmas, it is the regular tradition to see hundreds of Guyanese taking to Regent Street to purchase toys, decorations, new drapes and even carpets, and this year, even amid a pandemic, that Guyanese tradition has not changed.

The Pepperpot Magazine spoke to Danni Persaud the owner of leading curtain and carpet supplier, Ariel’s, who gave an insight into his experience during the pandemic. He stated that since the pandemic has begun he has employed several new systems to ensure his business not just complies with the preventative guidelines but also is active in the fight against the COVID-19 virus.

The company provides temperature testing as well as facilities for sanitizing of hands upon entering the Regent street store. Persaud told the Pepperpot Magazine that although in recent weeks the volume of customers entering the store has increased, the main priority for him is the safety of his customers and members of staff.

He stated that even though the COVID-19 pandemic has posed a significant challenge to many persons and businesses, from his estimation the turnout and customer support has been close to the normal Christmas activity.

“We have seen persons coming out as normal, we know this is a big tradition in Guyana, the feel of a Guyanese Christmas is buying new drapes and curtains, buying new carpets and rugs, and this year we haven’t really seen persons acting outside of that,” said Persaud.

The businessman stated that this year he has been met with a challenge of not being able to import his usual quota of new and more eye-catching items but he is extremely appreciative of the support that he has gotten from his customers.

“I guess because of the COVID and so we didn’t

are very appreciative of it,” Persaud explained.

Meanwhile, the owner of Toy Land on King Street Nafeeza (only name given), echoed similar sentiments stating that although many persons were at a disadvantage because of the COVID-19 pandemic it has not stopped the regular Christmas shopping traditions. She stated that she has seen many parents turn out excited to be able to purchase items that would put a smile on the face of their children.

“As business persons, we are accustomed to one thing around this time, especially the toy distributors and those persons that sell household items. When Christmas comes around we know children must have toys. Without the toys there is no Christmas, and we have come to know this, even some of the businesses around me tell me when I put my toys out then they feel Christmas is here. Christmas is a time everybody looks out for,” said Nafeeza.

Owner of Ariel’s, Danni Persaud She added that she has also had to bring so many goods as last employ systems to ensure year, but the good thing this that she and her customers year is that we were able to and their children are prosell a lot of the old stock that tected from the COVID-19 we have, so we cleared out a virus, which includes ensurlot of goods so I would say ing all persons are utilising we did good enough. We’re their face masks and hand happy with the way things satirizers. are going, there wasn’t any Nafeeza told the Pepdecrease, everyone is still in perpot Magazine that due the charismas spirit, every- to the pandemic some of one is still celebrating and the regular items that she looking to buy items, and we would have wanted to pur-

A customer searching for that perfect gift idea at Toy Land on King Street. - Delano Williams Photo.

A customer leaving Ariel’s with her purchases (Delano Williams Photos)

chase have been put on hold because some of the companies have not been able to meet the quota and even had shipping issues.

Nafeeza stated that she is cognizant of the fact that many persons have been met with tragedy this year and said that she has worked to ensure that her quality toys are sold at a reasonable price so that she could help children to enjoy this season.

“It’s not like last year.

I understand that a lot of people did not work during the pandemic.

Things have been bad for some people but they’re still shopping the toys because they believe in toys for children. I mean when you have children they want them to be happy so they will buy for them, but what has been happening is that people shop early and then it slow for a little and then I think they’re going to shop again,” said the Toy Land owner.

A customer at Ariel’s looking at some of the eye-catching curtains in the store’s showroom

Owner of Toyland Nafeeza showcasing one of her toys to a customer.

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, December 20, 2020

Vision Board Party

Your brain will work tirelessly to achieve the statements you give your subconscious mind. And when those statements are the affirmations and images of your goals, you are destined to achieve them! – Jack Canfield

THIS is the time of the year when people focus on the vision boards and it is a great thing to do! I will be 50 next year and my focus is different from when I was 40. I am creating another motivating vision board. Some people refer to it as a dream board and I intend to make the content a reality,if God’s willing.

The best way to achieve your goals is to keep them top of mind so that you’re always consciously and subconsciously looking for ways to move closer to them – and a vision board is a perfect tool to help you do that.

Some people refer to it as a dream board. A vision board is a visual representation of your goals. It can be called your daily reminder or affirmations. A collage of images and text are displayed on the board.

Placing a vision board somewhere you can see every day, you will prompt yourself to visualise the life you dream of. Visualisation activates the creative powers of your subconscious mind and programmes your brain to notice available resources. A visible vision board can make a boring routine into an inspiring day because you are motivated to reach your goals No matter how clear and inspiring your vision is, if you don’t take consistent, regular action to make it a reality, that vision will remain just a dream that exists nowhere but in your own mind.

How to create your vision board 2021 * Go back to your list of goals and get clarity on what you want to achieve in the next 12 months. * Gather photos from a magazine or download online that represent the goals you desire to achieve. * Put aside some time to cut out the images you need * Create a collage on a board * Add text with powerful affirmations to the board Don’t beat yourself up if you are not satisfied with the outcome. You can change images on your vision board or redo if you feel the need to.

To make your visualisation practice even more powerful, I will share a checklist from Jack Canfield to help you evaluate your vision board’s effectiveness.

Checklist

* To make your visualisation practice even more powerful, I put together this checklist to help you evaluate your vision board’s effectiveness * My vision board depicts goals and dreams in all areas of my life, or in just one specific area that I’d like to focus on. * The images I chose represent or symbolise the experiences, feelings, and possessions I want to attract into my life on my board. * There are positive affirmations, inspirational words, quotations, and thoughts on my board. * Only words and images that best represent my purpose, my ideal future and words that inspire positive emotions in me were used on my vision board. * My vision board is neat, and I was selective about what I placed on it. * I keep my vision board somewhere prominent, such as near my bed or my desk. * I leave my vision board in a viewable position as often as I am comfortable with * I spend time each morning and evening visualising, affirming, believing, and internalising my goals. * I look at the images that represent my achievements and feel gratitude as my dreams begin to manifest. * I wrote down the date I created my vision board; I create a new vision board each year. * I regularly hold my vision board in my hands and really internalise the future it represents. * I read my affirmations and inspirational words aloud at least twice a day * I see myself living in the manner my life is on my vision board. * I regularly feel myself in the future I have designed. * I believe the items on my board are already mine when I look at them. * I am grateful for the good that is already present in my life. * I acknowledge and celebrate any goals I have achieved. * I acknowledge and learn from the changes I have seen and felt. * I regularly acknowledge the Law of Attraction at work in my life. * I have fun and never give up.

You don’t have to wait for a calendar year to create a vision board because this is where you are going, so what are the plans to get there? We will be hosting a virtual vision board party (limited space) and we are inviting you to join us. Email livingwithintention11@gmail. com for more details.

Let’s make our next year our best year as we continue to celebrate this beautiful life beyond the runway.

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, December 20, 2020

THE MYSTERY SYSTEM OF CHRISTMAS

A tale of the human ethos

OF course, it’s a commercial period that from my perspective, husbands should keep the attention of their wives at home rather than walking downtown. I think from experience that there are many spirits embodied in what is defined as the spirit of Christmas, like the muses they have different categories of inspiration one is ‘Shopping beyond the boundaries of necessity’ and that inspiration targets women. Most men have a list that includes the stress-related bills, the last record I read, mentioned that men die more from stress-related illnesses than women; that’s because we’re born with this list of not-to-dos that define ‘manhood’: don’t whine, complain, beg, cry, and realise that there are no ‘Sugar Mamas’ only ‘Sugar Daddies’ don’t become one, or the stress will destroy you.

This is a phenomenon of Christmas not only in Guyana, but from larger

economies that I’ve lived in for a while, where the enthusiasm of the season compels an intoxication of shopping.

They, however, have a consumer privilege to take back items, rebalancing the budget into reality, that provides a favourable sober-up reprieve. From the beginning of time, human governance has instilled in populations the longing for redemption; thus, more so the longing for divine intervention. Somehow this has accounted for the remarkable presence of shepherd Elders across cultures. I inherited a book published in 1913 on comparative religions by Rev. Charles H. Vail titled ‘The World Saviors.’ It took me some years to explore its narratives and in-depth content on the similarity of unusual revolutionary souls that have emerged across all human variations, Prophets, Messiahs, Avatars etc. It occurred to me that cynical as I am, that it is doubtful that there was a global exchange of this idea, since people hardly travelled over

100 miles to go anywhere, except by sea routes, here and there, for example, the entire Biblical geography is located on the African continent. The remarkable thing is that in this very book and others after, there was a common denominator, of common birth timing, based on a specific astronomical uniformity for all these saviours. However, the essence of the birth of Jesus who would become the ‘Christ’ is rooted in our human culture of the sacred, that echoes the relevance of religion and the constant quest of change when the illumination dims, and the business of man-contrived gods usurp the higher responsibility expounded at the birth of the manifestation.

Christmas also envelopes the old harvest festival custom through the cleansing and preparing of the home, whether owned or rented, acknowledging that a house is not a home, a home is an environment within the walls, of souls with shared empathy and compassion.

In another age, we cleansed and treated tribal farmlands and waterways, shared food and gifts for those less productive, with Christmas we are still cued to the profound symbolism that has sustained us through the ages.

The Christ season sum-

mons the otherwise deeper contained aspects of our nature: we think of gifts to persons who have affected us positively, to our families-- meaning spouse and offspring -- and others; despite social media, we are still inspired by beau-

tiful and relevant funny cards. We must also think of those out of employment, for those relatives and friends, we apply an old family custom; we do that sub-ration ‘thing.’ And See Page XXII

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, December 20, 2020

THE MYSTERY SYSTEM OF ...

From Page XXI for many of us, we also buy a gift for ourselves.

Covid-19 has imposed the need for adjustment, books, time to recapture the fun of reading stories with drama. The competition of games, board or cards,

hours of holiday fun and staying healthy through these reactivated customs, are important. We also take time out to greet folk near and far with greetings of goodwill.

Christmas is also said to be the time of suicides in the big cities where the old holis-

tic tribal support system has long been abandoned, loneliness and immediate hopelessness are terrible creatures to wrestle with.

At home crime increases, mostly young men ‘especially in the city where the living is hardest’ risk and throw away their lives

over pittances, which brings us to the point that the administrators do not quite understand the pulses awakened by this season or that we are not sensitive enough to even recognise a pattern, though it has been repeated by our law enforcement for over four decades now.

Christmas is when street crimes increase.

We have got to pull it together as best we could, for those with their backs to the wall, even the perceived insignificant amount can help. We live in the most costly age since independence, the ‘accustomcy’ to the presence of modernisation has induced us to live

beyond our means in many cases, and there are other problems, such as the inevitable dependency on the tech world, so we must with sobriety balance the ideals and spirit of Christmas and stay grounded to what is significant first, that is, to the closest humanity that we call ‘the Home.’

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, December 20, 2020 CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, October 4, 2020 CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, October 4, 2020

Christmas and Mental Health

I’VE had many different reactions from my readers about Christmas this year.

Some have expressed that they are more excited than usual because it was such a tough year, while others hope it passes quickly and quietly, as they have had enough of this year altogether.

To all those celebrating Christmas, I wish you the very best that the days have to offer. To those who aren’t, I hope that you will still use the day to relax and spend time with your loved ones

anyway, as these days have shown to have important mental health benefits.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day have always been my favourite days of the year. Most importantly, how I feel about it and what I enjoy the most have evolved and grown as I have. When I was a child, nothing made me happier than to see the gifts pile up under the tree -- like most I’m sure. Now, I get a quarter of the presents I once did, but the same excitement comes from the simplest of things. I feel genuinely

happy when I hear my sister want you to know that you’re faults, like anything else, they sing her favourite carols, I not alone and I hope this also have wonderful benefits. feel instant joy when I see piece can provide some sort For the lucky ones, family Christmas decorations and I of relief and maybe even joy. traditions come out at Christget almost too excited when mas. Whether it is openI smell pepperpot and ChristWhen we think of Christ- ing presents while eating mas cookies. many such Hello Everyone, ple can getmas, physical if theythings or not; thereasareholpeople breakfast together, watching I would like to acknowlleave, find out iday they have beenindulgence, who cheat andfamipeople who ‘Home Alone’ or carolling edge thosehope that be betrayed suf- ly time and presents enter our thismay week has do not. It’s simply a per- together, family traditions fering from mental While thesechoice. have There their will unite all generations and cretreated you well. health - End minds. of a marriage/ re- sonal issues and therefore are lationship not I recently realways be other problems to in the ‘Christmas Spirit.’ ceived a request As - Broken relationships ‘blame’ the cheating on, but much as I love theadultery holidays, to discuss with Ichildren and other fam- despite temptation, we as am aware of addedonstress, andthe its effects ily members humans have the capability pressure overindulgence mentaland well-being.

- Financial stress to choose whether we hurt which may negatively A woman had written influ- Medical consequences someone deeply or not. ence about so many. her husband’s infideli- such as acquiring a sexually The main reason always Ifty and you feel itthis I the anguish broughtway, transmitted disease (STD) cited to me is a lack of ather. I think it is an important - Pregnancy (themselves tention. The partner has felt topic to discuss, as it is so or the outside person) ignored by their significant prominent throughout our other which has lowered society. I myself know very Now, what does their self-esteem and selffew relationships that are cheating do to the worth. Therefore, they seek monogamous- which means victim? attention elsewhere. to be married to or to be in a It causes extreme hurt, There are many ways sexual relationship with just low self-esteem and self- to give attention to your one partner. doubt. It ruins the trust for spouse. Some examples We’re going to talk about not only the current, but also are constant communicabeing unfaithful in general for future relationships. This tion of the problem—not as only married people can is called projecting, when talking, ignoring and holdcommit adultery, but you the victims are more often ing a grudge solves nothing. do not have to be married than not afraid, insecure Other examples are being in order to be devastated by and untrusting in their new physically and mentally that betrayal. relationships. This can lead present and affectionate, For the religious, adul- to high anxiety, depression compassionate, patient, emtery is a sin; the word from and even suicide. pathetic and sexually acits Latin heritage ‘adulterCheating will also affect tive. Human beings long for are’ means to corrupt. It is the children if the family is these types of connections. one of the major causes of split apart. Typically, trust Basically, cheating is an exbreakups/divorce world- issues are also passed on to ternal reaction to an internal wide. However, its effects them, affecting both their fu- problem. Participating in the on both individuals are ture friendships and intimate above examples are internal widespread. relationships. solutions.

Unfaithfulness/cheatI know many people who ing causes many problems have never been cheated on What happens after with both the cheater and (to their knowledge), but are you have found out? the victim, ranging from terrified of it because one of Well, there is a big decipsychological, physical to their parents were unfaith- sion to make. Do you stay financial stress (long and ful. This prevents them from and trust that it will not short term). It also affects an having a normal, healthy happen again or do you end entire family. Even though relationship, which includes the relationship? I did not it’s so rampant and typically trust, love and respect. realise until recently how ignored, cheating is usually many people are stuck in disapproved of in society. In Why do people cheat? this type of situation, as they fact, it is still against the law Other than serious ill- have nowhere else to go and in certain countries such as nesses such as sex addiction, no other way to financially Saudi Arabia, North Korea there are many contradictory support themselves or their and Pakistan. reasons as to why people children.

There is no doubt that cheat. It is known that rich This is where the comthe idea of adultery/cheating and powerful men/women munity groups that I have is attractive. Humans love cheat, as they believe every- previously spoken about reading about it, watching thing has a price. However, come into play. If you have it on television and many people who are not rich or been betrayed in this mansimply love the excitement those who are instead with ner, you are definitely not of pleasures we cannot eas- powerful partners cheat. alone. ily have.

Why? Because they feel There is strength in Nevertheless, there are as though they do not have numbers and together we after-effects. enough power in the rela- can start the healing protionship. Many people also cess.

For the person blame cheating on drugs who has committed and alcohol. They have had Please continue to write adultery/cheating, they too much, their inhibitions to caitlinvieira@gmail.com may experience: are lowered which causes and let me know what you - Intense guilt normal thought processes to would like me to discuss.

- Anxiety about being go haywire.

Suicide Helpline numcaught Whether you are male or bers – 223-0001, 223-0009, - Depression due to con- female, rich or poor, black, 623-4444 or 600-7896 sequences if/when caught white or brown, powerful Say Yes to Life and No - Violence, as some peo- or not, have a mental illness to Drugs! Always!

I

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ate memories that strengthen the family unit.

This happens as most people are in a better mood during this holiday season. I am certain that I smile and laugh more at Christmas than at any other time of See Page XXVIII

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, December 20, 2020

from the

From Page II

Pepperpot Team

by. And I think that it is important for each of us to remember this, as we continue to navigate the world of uncertainties.

Happy Holidays!

Michel Outridge – Pepperpot Feature Writer, Focus on the Village The novel Coronavirus found us unprepared to face the challenges that the virus brought but we had to adapt to changing our routine, work remotely and submit to a curfew. It was very challenging working remotely since I did not have a desk or a suitable chair to accommodate my laptop. Michel Outridge Eventually, I challenged myself to become disciplined and it has since been working out well for me. These days, when I have to go to a village weekly, I get a kind of phobia about COVID-19 but when the realisation of earning hits me, I am reminded that I still have to work. I know for sure, every one of us has had to adjust our lives and routines to cope with the virus and we had to do it quickly and it has been difficult for many of us, who continue to overcome these

Dillon Goring

challenges. However, I would to extend season’s greetings to all, especially, our readers and wish everyone a Happy New Year, as we look forward to your continued support in 2021.

Dillon Goring – Pepperpot Feature Writer The joy is mine to wish the readers of the Pepperpot and their families, a joyous Christmas Season. This year, I have enjoyed bringing to you stories that serve to stir your interest in the significant strides and achievement our country has gained during the year. The comments that I have received both personally and publicly have served to inspire me to enhance my quality of writing and to produce nothing but my best in bringing quality stories to you going forward.

On behalf of my family and I, a blessed season and a productive 2021 to you all.

Maureen Rampertab- Columnist, Fables of a Wandering Mind My motto at the dawn of the year was, “Striving with deeper passion, vibrant enthusiasm and greater self-confidence in achieving my goals.” I hoped this year would rock with greater successes for me in the literary landscape. I somewhat felt excited about 2020 then something unprecedented happened. An unseen killer virus from Wuhan, China brought doom and death to the world. Life was suddenly put on hold, my creative thoughts froze, my pen hovered over my notebook, gripped by fear and uncertainty, and I wondered, “Is this world going to die?” But life for me is a celebration of love, laughter and warm thoughts, so my hopes and enthusiasm did not completely dissipate. There was still a glow that I felt could burst into a symphony of colours, bringing renewed hopes and enthusiasm to life in the new year of 2021. Merry Christmas and a fantastic New Year.

Maureen Rampertab

Marissa Foster- Columnist, Youth Perspective The year 2020 will probably be at the back of our minds in years to come. Everyone had their fair share of tribulations and the same can be said for writers like myself.

Perhaps, the most challenging experience of 20202 was being forced to distance myself from the people and places that gave me the inspiration to work and write. Nonetheless, I was able to adapt and readjust myself to this new era and I urge you all reading this to do the same. The COVID-19 virus will most likely stick around in the year 2021 but at least we can use our experiences and lessons learned from this year to make the new one better for us and those around us.

--From the Pepperpot family to yours, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a prosperous 2021!

Marissa Foster

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, December 20, 2020

Christmas behind bars...

From Page II

aged to cheer him up.

Reid, 51, added that special meals like the ones that you get at home are prepared for them and they would be served by the officers and they would try to liven up things for them, knowing that they cannot see their families.

“Old Year’s Night nobody would sleep, we would have church service and a concert, but this year none of that is allowed due to the virus,” he said.

The prisoner stated that while in jail he lost his wife in the second year and he is hoping to get out so he can see his two great-grandchildren for the very first time.

Meanwhile, Jonathan Budhan, 22, related that he is looking forward to Christmas because of the meals and goodies but if he gets a phone call from the Court of Appeal he would be pleased Jonathan Budhan to get out.

He finds comfort in the Bible and has reformed in jail and it is prayers that give him hope of being free once again, he said.

David Parker told the Pepperpot Magazine that he has spent 15 years in jail and has two more years to serve before he is released and he is using the time to motivate others to turn their lives around through church services and by being a motivational speaker.

The 51-year-old stated that jail has been a place that stirred up his mind and had a lot of time to think things over and he David Parker is a changed man and when he gets out he wants that change to be seen.

He added that Christmas behind bars isn’t easy for any inmate, but they have a strong brotherhood and they would assist each other to cope.

Parker noted that the prison authorities would provide good food as an incentive for the holidays and they welcome that as well as the family-bonding exercise, which gives them hope.

But unfortunately, this year they will not benefit from the bonding exercise.

He disclosed that they would get a feeling of despair in jail, but they have avenues to express their feelings and they have things to do to occupy their time and they would try to adopt a positive state of mind as a coping mechanism.

“Anybody can come to jail but rehab can change you for the better and one can use their experience to inspire others; so I have a little motto ‘each one, teach one,’ because when I get released I have to re-sell myself to society because of the stigma attached,” he said. “In jail, you have to understand what

Prince David Reid

freedom is and what you ought to do to endure prison and it is the hope of getting out one day that keeps me going, along with fervent prayers and the brotherhood in my dorm,” he said.

Parker added that he gets the support of his family in jail and for that he is thankful, and instead of finding faults with others, he would try to serve and inspire them to be agents of change.

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Acting Superintendent of Prison Amias Benjamin being sanitised before entering the compound (Carl Croker photos)

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Christmas disease

I HAVE no doubt that seasoned dentists such as myself, and I call those dentists with a few decades of experience, seasoned, would like to call an acute, sudden, terrible toothache “ the Christmas disease.” Unfortunately, though, we cannot do so simply because Christmas disease is a medical condition called haemophilia B that people suffer from when they lack a certain blood clotting factor.

Studies have shown that during the last two weeks of the year there is a 400 percent increase in new dental cavities. In

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, December 20, 2020

addition, more than half of existing caries deteriorate to the extent whereby painful symptoms begin to manifest. Why is it that this exacerbation of dental disease generally takes place at Christmas time? The reason is simply because of the higher sucrose (sugar) ingestion together with the lapse in maintaining oral hygiene concomitant with the disruption of routine personal activities during the festive season.

Many moons ago when I was a youngster growing up in South Georgetown, there were only five registered dentists in Guyana. In those colonial days, you had to be

in the upper social class or be wealthy to access existing private dental care. Of the five practising dentists only two worked at the Public Hospital. So I had my share of toothaches and extractions. As a matter of fact, I would never forget that the worst toothache I have ever experienced occurred on a Boxing Day. A famous dentist wittingly remarked once that “people have always liked a sweet tooth, but sweet never liked the tooth.” Cakes, sweets, chocolates and dried fruits are among the most cariogenic (caries-forming) foods in existence and they are eaten indiscriminately at this time of the year. The bacteria of dental plaque ferment these substances quite readily to produce the acid that erodes the tooth’s enamel, causing caries.

In Australia, Cuba, England and the United States, each citizen consumes over 100 pounds of sugar a year. I spent three years in Cuba and a slice of cake literally dripped sugar syrup. As in these countries, those who sell sugar,

sweets and beverages in Guyana experience between three and fivefold increase in sales during the Christmas season.

Ask any soft drink vendor how are sales during the Christmas season as compared to the rest of the year.

For some years now research has been progressing successfully in the quest to substitute sugar with artificial sweeteners. Sorbitol, mannitol and saccharin are being produced in increasing quantities. These ascribe the sweet taste like natural sugar. But when one considers that sugar is not necessary for good health, there is a clear appreciation for the value of avoiding it, given its deleterious effect on the teeth and general well-being.

What then can the average person do to counteract the destructive consequence of the prevailing neglect and abuse at this time of the year apart from obeying the conventional health laws? Though largely impractical in our context, avoiding the use of foods containing natural sugar would certainly be a valuable starting base. A person’s attitude should reflect an understanding of the mechanism of action of the disease process. Preventative methods may thereafter be concluded effectively without professional advice.

See Page XXVII A tooth cannot decay

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, December 20, 2020

Christmas traditions of ...

From Page XIII

to which Carl Morgan had to give his all, so as not to be buried in the muddy ditch which was a portion of the wrestling ‘ring’ within the camp. At the end of the match in which Morgan proved a worthy challenger, the tough GDF ‘warriors’ hugged each other, then departed bruised, muddy and groggy. On the more official side of the Christmas activities, the senior officers would also serve lunch to the junior ranks -- a reflection of Jesus who washed the feet of his disciples; the Master showing humility to His disciples.

Clairmonte Griffith was a career military officer. He was among the very first batch of recruits to join the Guyana Defence Force. “My tenure in the GDF was from March 1967 to September 1969.” As a member of the Reconnaissance Platoon, Clairmonte Griffith travelled to many hinterland locations. “Christmas 1967 was spent in the hinterland and that holiday period was observed as a regular workday,” he said. However, it was different the next year. “Christmas 1968 Reconnaissance Reece Platoon received its first Georgetown assignment.” That took the young officer to the residence on Vlissingen Road where Prime Minister Forbes Burnham and his wife Viola Burnham resided. With his usual military-style sense of humour, Griffith related what he and his fellow comrades were charged to do during the Christmas of 1968: “Protect the Kabaka (Prime Minister Forbes Burnham) and his family and their lazy Great Dane dog.” Clairmonte Griffith migrated and continued his military career at West Point in the United States.

To all retired GDF officers and troops, wherever you may be at this festive season, best wishes to you and your loved ones. Enjoy Good Health and Happiness for Christmas 2020. It is a year which was extremely challenging. You can certainly reminisce on the years gone by of your active service to the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.

Christmas disease...

From Page XXVI

unless acid is involved. The sustained contact of the acid on the tooth’s surface is enhanced by the plaque which contains the bacteria and its food (sugar). One of the most powerful mouthwashes can be made easily at home. All that is needed is half a teaspoon of sodium bicarbonate (baking or eating soda) mixed in a cup (8 ounces) of water. Incidentally, one should not be confused between baking powder and baking soda. Baking powder basically contains some soda mixed with flour and other substances. The mouthwash should be bottled and kept at hand. After a meal of cake or similar delicacy, rinse the mouth first then agitate a mouthful of the liquid for at least 15 seconds allowing, free contact with every tooth. The intention is for the soda to neutralise the acid produced by the bacteria.

As an emergency measure for a severe toothache, crush a clove and place it in the cavity. A fluoride-containing toothpaste may also be of help. Avoid sweet foods. Do not substitute the clove for aspirin because the problem can be compounded due to aspirin being acid. Chewing a clove can also freshen the breath when an alcohol scent causes embarrassment. Contact your dentist at the earliest convenience.

Have a Happy and caries-free Festive Season!

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, December 20, 2020

Christmas and Mental ...

From Page XXIII

the year. This is great, as my research shows that a good belly laugh lowers blood pressure and stress while increasing mood and general immune system functioning.

The season encourages socialisation. We actually see most of our friends and family face to face rather than on a screen. I know this year will be different for many in that regard but I hope gratitude and positivity still exist. .

I also love Christmas as it keeps me in the now. Very often, when I’m out having a good time, I tend to think of what I have to do or what I should be doing. I notice that I do not feel that way during the holidays -- I enjoy my time-off, I enjoy every conversation and I enjoy the present moment -- and you can too!

Importantly, Christmas encourages generosity, gratitude, kindness and forgiveness. You do not have to conduct scientific studies to conclude that giving and receiving gifts come with an emotional high. Forget receiving for a second; the selfless act of giving strongly correlates with happiness and has uncontrollable benefits. We all know that feeling of giving someone a special a gift that we know they will love.

I believe that money cannot buy happiness unless you spend it on other people. Kindness and giving are contagious. When we give, we aren’t only giving to the immediate recipient, but we are creating a ripple effect of kindness and generosity that may reach even hundreds of other people which we have not yet met. I also love Christmas because I know charity increases during this period. Be a part of that chain!

If you are still worried about how you’re going to get through the remainder of the season, here are some simple tips for keeping your mental health good and stable.

1. Get proper sleep and rest!

2. Keep eating and exercising well. If you haven’t been at all, do it. Both release good endorphins as well as keep you happy and energetic. Also, considering the amount of food and alcohol one might consume, it couldn’t hurt.

3. Decide which events and activities are the most significant and only do those. Try not to overexert yourself.

4. Have realistic expectations of what these events are going to be. Some people aren’t nicer with the season.

5. Take some personal time and relax.

6. Practise gratitude.

7. Speak to a professional if needed.

8. Protect yourself and do social distancing during holiday gatherings I believe that we all want to feel happy, loved and at peace and what better time to push for that than now, when the feelings of joy and appreciation are everywhere we look –- the decorations, the joyful words and songs streaming through our radios and televisions? Do your best to remain positive and hopeful.

Happy Holidays Everyone!

Thank you for reading. Please keep sending any topics you’d like to talk about to caitlinvieira@gmail.com If you would like to make an appointment for private counselling sessions, message 623-0433 Suicide Prevention Helpline numbers: 223-0001, 2230009, 623-4444, 600-7896 Say Yes to Life and No to Drugs! Always

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, December 20, 2020

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Historical Perspectives Of The Guyanese Christmas

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C

hristmas to Guyanese People is a magic word which awakens images of colour, relaxation, joy, nostalgia and goodwill to our fellow man. This is not surprising since the Christmas Festival and its meaning lie deep in the Guyanese psyche.

Christmas is the oldest festival celebrated in Guyana.

During the days of plantation slavery, it was the one holiday allowed to the slaves. Slaves were permitted to visit their friends and relatives in nearby plantations and were allowed to celebrate as they wished. They played their African drums which were forbidden at other times and organized themselves into masquerade bands resuscitating the old traditions of West Africa. Their food rations for the day were increased, especially of salted meat such as pigtails and saltfish and they were allowed as much rum as they wished.

Slave musicians were always required to play at the planter class’ Christmas parties. It was the one day of the year when tensions of the planter class and the slaves became muted and the plantations experienced a brief and very fleeting glimpse of transcending humanity. Despite the many slave protests and revolts and the sadism of some of the planters to their slaves, Christmas continued to be celebrated on the plantations and in the 18th century, the holiday was even enshrined in the Laws.

When full Emancipation came in 1838, the freedmen began constructing a new life: The Village Movement came into being; Education was stressed; Local Government was established, and the Christian religion was universally and seriously accepted by the freedmen and a strong religious and spiritual dimension was added to Christmas with church attendance added to the celebration.

On Christmas morning, villagers would go from house to house awakening residents and wishing them a merry Christmas. The masquerade bands, clothed in colourful costumes reminiscent of medieval jesters, performed all day, visiting nearby plantations. Cookup continued to be the main celebratory meal and rum was replaced as the drink by ginger beer or sorrel or jamoon wine.

The 20th century was the heyday of Christmas. Life had become more settled and in some ways, prosperous and Christmas, in its progression over the century, was enrichened by absorbing new customs, especially those contributed by the indentured immigrant communities. The highest point of Christmas was between 1930 when the Great Depression was lifting and 1960 when Independence was approaching. We will however not be chronological but

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, December 20, 2020

would describe the characteristics of the Festival: During the several weeks in the runup to Christmas, Guyana experiences the “Christmas Weather” when the days become shorter and cooler, the green of the vegetation appears softer, some plants like the poinsettias and

lanciana orchid blossom during the Christmas Season, the sun is less strong than in August but its golden tint seems to be more marked, the sunsets are quieter in their beauty with pastel colours contrasting to the blazing colours of August and the dusks are longer with a soft blue light enveloping the landscape. The “Christmas Weather” which occurs once in the last quarter of each year when the Earth moves further and further away from the sun until it reaches the winter solstice at 231/2 degrees - the Tropic of Cancer. This happens on the 23rd of December, after which the days gradually become longer. The early Church Fathers who fixed the date of Christmas on 25th December took into account the pagan Roman festival of Lupercalia and the North European Yule which were linked to the Winter Solstice.

Christmas had its unique sounds. In the time of plantation slavery, the dominant Christmas sound was the playing of African drums. After Emancipation, it was carols sung by the church choirs and carols sung by the children who had begun attending the hundreds of primary schools established by the Churches. Much church music, including

the beautiful hymns, sung by ordinary working folk doing their work and the Gregorian Chants were heard. By 1930 when radio ownership was becoming widespread, the radio station devoted several hours broadcasting carols and other Christmas music. By 1940, American music had overtaken Guyana and its Christmas songs such as Jingle Bells and Rudolph the Red nose Reindeer had become part of the Guyanese Christmas repertoire. From about 1940 to 1960 was the age of public dances at the various sports clubs, house parties and formal balls at the hotels.

Music for these occasions was supplied by various bands such as Washboards and Sonny Thomas’ and his orchestra. Sonny Thomas, though completely blind, played all instruments, especially the piano, to perfection. For the week from the 20th December, the music from these dances and parties floated through the night air and could be heard within a radius of over a mile.

At these club dances and house parties, participants did not sit at separate tables as they do today; rather, the ladies sat on one side of the hall and the men on the other and one danced with anyone, even perfect strangers. At the end of the Christmas Season, more marriage engagements were announced than at any other time of the year.

Food is one of the main enjoyments of the Christmas Season. During Plantation slavery, the Christmas dish was “cook-up”. After Emancipation, the cookup kept improving with new ingredients and has continued as a basic Christmas dish. The indentured immigrants from various parts of the world made their contributions to enriching the Guyanese cuisine - there was garlic pork from the Portuguese, chow mein from the Chinese, curry and roti, and curry and rice from the Indians and ham, “English potatoes”, wheat flour from the British.

Rum was the only drink in plantation life. With Emancipation, homemade drinks such as ginger beer, sorrel, jamoon wine and rice wine were produced and these largely took the place of rum at Christmas lunches and dinners. Indeed, it was considered bad form to offer a guest an aerated or imported drink at Christmas rather than a homemade one.

Home-baked cakes were an essential part of the Christmas menu. All housewives became expert at making sponge cakes, fruit cakes using imported fruits and sweetbreads. Black cake was the other Christmas cake; it involved far more preparation than the other cakes and was regarded as the queen of Christmas cakes.

Christmas cake baking had a romance of its own. Most of the population did not have cast iron Dover stoves and had to use box ovens to bake. The baking was done on

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, December 20, 2020

Historical Perspectives Of ...

Christmas Eve and housewives visited each other during the night to find out how each other was progressing.

During Christmas Eve, the streets of the city and the villages were pervaded with the pleasant odour of baking cake. Christmas cake baking developed a close camaraderie among women of a street or district.

House cleaning and decorations were a de rigeur part

of the Guyanese Christmas preparations. The home was thoroughly swept, walls were cleaned, floors were mopped and polished and wallpapers with their beautiful designs were pasted on the walls. Furniture was sandpapered and varnished or french polished and the home smelt of the fresh odour of varnish. By 23rd December, the home had been transformed into a comfortable shining habitation.

Householders never felt the need or desire to decorate their homes with Christmas trees and symbols as the big shops or the more affluent households did.

By the 1940s the fashion began to change. Wallpapers fell out of use and walls were painted. Furniture was no longer varnished or french polished and householders now felt the need to be in the modern world. Accordingly, the common and modern Christmas decor was enthusiastically adopted with its Christmas Trees, Santa Clauses, fairy lights, Christmas colours, golden balls, stars of Bethlehem, cribs and holly and mistletoe lining the windows and doors.

Christmas shopping is one of the joys of Christmas but it was only at the beginning of the 20th century that Christmas Shopping as we know it, had its advent. All the big stores were in Water street in Georgetown with Regent Street accommodating a burgeoning number of well-stocked smaller shops. Despite the two World Wars and the Great Depression, Christmas shopping kept growing and shoppers now turn out en masse. The shops stock all kinds of novelties and ingenious toys. The hours of opening of all shops were extended and on Christmas Eve, they opened until midnight.

The shops were all colourfully decorated with the symbols of Christmas creating a Christmas wonderland and shoppers and their small children would wander through the shopping areas savouring and enjoying the dream world to which they had been transported.

From about the 1920s, the exchanging Christmas cards firmly established itself as a Guyanese Christmas custom.

Cards were sold everywhere - in the stores, in the markets and in the streets where vendors loudly read the delightfully sentimental verses. Cards bore pictures of nostalgic Christmas scenes and landscapes and many of them were extraordinarily beautiful. The more expensive cards came in catalogues and were truly works of art, many of them having the status of collectors’ pieces. It became a custom

to place cards which had been received under the Christmas Tree or hang them on the walls so that visitors could enjoy them. With the advent of the Internet with its own Internet cards, the Christmas Card has almost disappeared.

Gift-giving had always been part of the Guyanese Christmas. Gifts used to be foodstuffs. The more affluent would give a ham or a baked chicken or turkey or boxes of imported fruit or tins or boxes of chocolate or fancy biscuits.

In the poorer parts of the City and the villages, neighbours would exchange saucers with slices of cake with confections and some imported fruit. From about the 1970s, gifts tended to be consumer durables or decorative pieces such as vases.

In the late 1970s, the Government of the day felt that citizens were over-spending on the Christmas celebrations and that they impoverished themselves. They, therefore, decided

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to formulate a Policy that Christmas must be de-emphasized.

The media were warned to restrict their Christmas coverage and even advertisements. Government ceased having Christmas parties and Christmas imports were limited. Citizens were asked to be abstemious.

Citizens of all political and racial and religious backgrounds quietly rejected the Policy of De-emphasizing Christmas and despite the great power and influence of the State, Christmas stubbornly continued to be celebrated with gusto. With the COVID19 Pandemic restricting many of the social manifestations of Christmas, Christmas still continues to be celebrated in new ways. The Christmas Spirit is invincible and immortal and will survive as long as Guyana lives.

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, December 20, 2020