Essay Winner
Guyana, South America Undiscovered T
ake a few minutes away from the “hustle and bustle” of everyday life; just a moment to think of an unforgettable holiday. Imagine yourself cruising through Guyana specifically Georgetown, the capital city, absorbing the attractive combination of colonial and contemporary architecture. When you grow tired of the perplexity of the city, take a drive in either direction along the two hundred and seventy (270) mile long coast; relish the beaches, ocean and rice fields of the peaceful countryside which are but the beginning of the adventure. Perhaps you crave a more compelling landscape; if so take flight into the interior and watch the land gradually abandon all signs of civilisation until it embraces the untameable forest teeming with countless varieties of flora and fauna. After you clear the fringes of the forest and reach the south-west regions you’ll witness the sprawling beauty of the interior savannahs surrounded by the breathtaking peaks of the Kanuku Mountains. Where could all this be? Where can one find both beaches, pristine forest and widely diverse natural formations? This must be one of the Caribbean islands. Of course not! You’ll unearth enough beauty to satisfy the heart and eyes in “Guyana, South America Undiscovered.” Guyana (as Guyanese would pronounce it gai-AH-nuh) is a relatively small republic in South America commonly confused with its far removed African cousin, Ghana, on postage letters, barrels and other international shipments while being generally overshadowed by the success and drama of its neighbours. To the west there is Venezuela who has long been under the prying eyes of the world for its regular success in international beauty pageants and continuous political drama. To the east you’ll find Suriname, a country with a unique combination of Dutch influence and cultural diversity. Southward lies the world renowned Brazil, the land that always lands itself in the sports headlines and gets all the tourists flocking to see Christ the Redeemer and Rio’s famous beaches. Don’t be overwhelmed by the traits and accolades of Guyana’s neighbours; Guyana is very special to tourists because it has all the qualities of its neighbours though they are often hidden behind the veil of its neighbours sparkle.
E X P L O R E G U Y A N A
22
The dictionary defines special as different from what is normal or unusual in a good way. Guyana certainly fits the bill for the criteria to be special. You ask what makes it unlike the norm? What makes it spectacular? What makes it an unforgettable adventure? The answer is simply an endless kaleidoscope of cultural diversity, enamouring natural beauty and a combination of bold and subtle adaptations of external culture. Encased in Guyana’s minute population are many ethnic identities. Guyana is comprised of persons of African, Amerindian, Chinese, East-Indian, European, Portuguese and Mixed ethnic backgrounds. Each ethnic group has an established
Omari Joseph
community and identity in Guyanese culture. This exclusive blend, which is found in very few countries, creates the cultural mosaic that is Guyana. This mosaic is the perfect backdrop for something found in very few other places; a seeming assimilation of unique cultures into one people yet with each culture maintaining its distinctive identity. In Guyana our varying ethnicities ‘mingle but do not mix’. Cuisine is the perfect example for such a concept. One may go somewhere in Guyana and eat Curry, an Indian dish, but this curry can never be found in India. This curry is a Guyanese curry, a Guyanese Indian curry seasoned with spices and prepared using methods that have never graced that subcontinent. The curry may have a laba instead of chicken a decidedly Amerindian addition and it definitely will be seasoned with our own meri weri pepper and perhaps a touch of the Chinese or African. Each different culture would incorporate its own combination of spices, or method of preparation or both. This results in a dish with strikingly diverse tastes and sensations, quite like the culture which birthed it. Quite a few tourists are likely to stumble across a dish as common as curry; after all, curry is found on every continent. However, Guyana offers something as common as curry as well as less common foods indigenous to its people. Such examples would include metemgee, a mixture of assorted meat, salt fish, and large dumplings (called “duff”) with coconut milk, cassava, yam, plantains, okra, onions, thyme, and hot pepper sauce. Another example would be Guyanese pepperpot; traditionally a Christmas dish derived from the Amerindians made with meat (beef, pork or mutton), flavoured with cinnamon, casareep and Caribbean hot peppers. Dishes such as these would provide a flavourful and exotic experience for the palates of tourists. But one can’t have a pepperpot or any other meal without a cold drink to wash it down. Have no fear, because a tourist will never run out of refreshing options. If you like something intoxicating you can try the commercial brews which include, the world famous El Dorado rum or some Banks beer. There are some local alternatives to the alcoholic beverages which include pineapple wine, jamun wine and cherry wine. For those who can’t drink alcohol the options are even more extensive. Many locally grown fruits are used to make juices. There are also drinks brewed from other sources; the most