GIHR Herstory Magazine May 2023

https://issuu.com/hazelwoolford/docs/gihr-herstorymagazine_may 2023

Website address: http://hazelwoolford.wix.com/gihr gihrinstitute@yahool.com/ gihrinstitut@gmail.com/ hazelwoolford@yahoo.com

Published online monthly since 2016

The Guyana Institute of Historical Research is a partner of the Guyana Cultural Association of New York. Professor Dr. Aubrey Thompson, of Morgan State University is the GIHR representative. The Institute is also a partner of the Indo-Caribbean Cultural Centre.

1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion

1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion

Editors of GIHR Herstory Magazine

Managing Editor. Hazel Woolford

Archives Editor. Nadia Gamel-Carter

Fashion Editor. Natasha Azeez

History Education Editor Ann Thompson

Arts and Culture Editor Cleon Cadogan

African Affairs Editor Inomusa Ndlovu

1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion

Hello readers,

The month of May is one of the most hectic months on the calendar. The gifts for mothers, include the hugs and kisses to diamond necklaces, graduations and proms, labour day marches, independence fireworks, May fairs and, the beginning of the conference season.

Unfortunately, one of the most horrific incidents of this month has been the fiery deaths of twenty young girls in the school dormitory at Mahdia. While we mourn the deaths of those young lives, and pray for the young woman who committed the offence, it is important that the authorities put in place counsellors, who can deal with the traumatized survivors.

Your support of non-governmental organizations which work in the area of troubled kids will be greatly appreciated. We look forward to the reports from these organizations, which have begun outreach interventions, in the communities where the girls had lived.

Yours sincerely,

Mrs. Hazel Woolford Managing Editor

1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion

Letter from the Managing Editor

1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion

2023 May day parade

A joyous and festive Lunar New Year and Spring Festival to all!

1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion

1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion

1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion

A tour of heritage houses in Guyana.

1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion

1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion

The house of Russell Lancaster

1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion

1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion

1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion

Quotes of the First Lady of Guyana

1. Last evening, Guyana's 57th Independence Anniversary's flag-raising ceremony which was held in the town of Lethem, Region 9, was transformed into evening of prayer and reflection in honour of the 19 children who lost their lives in the Mahdia Secondary School dormitory fire earlier this week.

As we continue to reflect on their precious lives which epitomized sacrifice and dedication, let us, in their honour, continue to work towards building our One Guyana and a better future for all Guyanese.

2. In this very difficult time for our nation, my thoughts and prayers are with the survivors and the 19 little ones who tragically lost their lives in the fire at the Mahdia dormitory this morning. These events have left a void in our hearts; especially for those of us who are parents. Those who have lost loved ones, and those who are still coping with the trauma need us right now.

1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion

They need us to offer our prayers and support to get them through this difficult time. In the coming days, weeks and even months, we must demonstrate what it means to be Guyanese by being the shoulders they can lean on. May we honour the memories of our little ones who are no longer with us even while we continue to pray for the survivors, their families, friends and communities.

3. Extending warm Mother’s Day greetings to every mom across the globe, including mine, who has been a pillar in our lives. May the journey of motherhood continue to be a rewarding one for you all

4. Yesterday we fulfilled a promise to the residents of New Amsterdam, Berbice, when the President and I commissioned the New Amsterdam Recreational Park which we promised to deliver just a few months ago.

Thousands of residents, including children, now have a safe space to enjoy recreational activities which we hope will foster greater unity and social cohesion.

I echo the sentiments of the President in calling for residents to take care of this new facility as much as they enjoy its benefits.

Over the next few years, we will be developing recreational spaces like these in all regions, through my National Beautification Project.

5. A few weeks ago, I learnt of the situation of a family of 4 from Tuschen who have been living in deplorable conditions for several years, because the father, who was the sole breadwinner in the home, was diagnosed with prostate cancer and has been bedridden for 3 years. His wife is unable to work since she spends her days attending to his needs and those of their two children who are in secondary school. The family depends on his pension, along with a few chickens which the wife rears, to provide for their needs. Their story is one which would break even the strongest of hearts. So, I paid the family a visit recently with several government officials including Minister Nigel Dharamlall. We spoke to the wife and I committed to having a new house built and semi-furnish within the next 6-8 weeks. Upon completion of their schooling, the 2 children will be provided with scholarships, through my Office, to further their studies. Thanks to Minister Dharamlall, the wife will gain employment through the government’s part-time employment programme, while the regional health office will assist the family with medical supplies. As Martin Luther King Jr. once said: somewhere along the way, we must learn that there is nothing greater than to do something good for others. Let us do something good for someone today!

1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion

Birth anniversaries

1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion

Geeta Chandan-Edmond, M.P. Hon. Vickram Bharrat, M.P. Minister of Natural Resources, b.11May b. 9 May

Genevieve Allen, b. 17 May Cathy Hughes, b. 24 May

1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion

Region #4 Chairman, Daniel Seeram, b. 25 My

105th BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF DR. PTOLEMY REID, OE

8th May, 2023, marks 105 years since the birth of Dr. Ptolemy Reid. A recipient of the Order of Excellence, Dr Reid was a longstanding servant of the people of Guyana, as well as the People’s National Congress. He served in cabinet positions for decades, across multiple ministries. Dr Reid, who is from Dartmouth Village, Essequibo, was a trained veterinarian, who began his professional career as an educator. He also served in the private sector and spent some time working with Booker Sugar Estates. This son of the soil eventually attained the rank of Prime Minister, the culmination of decades of dedication to his country.

Dr. Reid retired from active politics in 1984 and passed away on September 2, 2003. He is survived by family members who share his intellectual curiosity and steadfast dedication to public service. The Dr. Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Center is named in his honor, an institution which provides aid to persons living with disabilities, which is fitting given Dr. Reid’s long commitment to his fellow man. Request

1823-2023.

Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion

Celebrating mothers

1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion

President irfaan Ali and his mother.

1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion

First Lady Arya Ali and her mother

Surrounded by family and friends Mrs. Evadney Eldeca Talbot of 51 Company Road, Buxton, East Coast Demerara (ECD), celebrated her 111th birthday on May 10. In celebration of her milestone, Mrs. Talbot’s family hosted a communion service at her home on Wednesday. The service was presided over by Reverend Theodore Demonic of the St. Augustine Anglican Church. Talbot’s family, friends and her caregivers all attended the service.

1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion

Mrs. . Evadney Eldeca Talbot is 111 years old

Mrs. Talbot was born in Buxton, in 1912 and attended the Buxton Congregational School. Upon completion of her primary education she pursued training in sewing and dressmaking. She was married to Kingsel Talbot who died in 1985. Together the two had five children, two of which are deceased. Over the years, Mrs. Talbot known by her villagers as ‘Cousin Vadney’ or ‘Sister Vadney’ worked alongside her husband in the farmlands at the back of the village cultivating sugar cane and other crops. She is a well known member of the St. Augustine Anglican Church where she worshipped regularly until recently when she was unable to physically attend church services.

Mrs. Talbot is an active member of the ‘Golden Age Group’ and enjoys listening to gospel songs, and interacting with her loved ones.

1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion

Mrs. Evadney Eldeca Talbot (center) surrounded by some of her great grandchildren Joel, Tamiah, and Samariah, at her 111th birthday celebration.

May is arrival month in Guyana About

The Church of the Holy Spirit is a home based ministry. It is a Protestant Christian ministry based on the Wesleyan Holiness movement tradition. The Church was established on 7 January, 2007.

1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion

1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion

Request a GIHR

Message the GIHR Face book page

1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion

Jessica and Eric Huntley Garden Launch Speech

By Claudia Tomlinson

I have had the privilege and honour of knowing Eric Huntley in person in recent years, but I’ve only known Jessica Huntley through researching her formidable life’s work. I am fortunate in having had the support and assistance of many over the past four years to research the life of Jessica Huntley. Her achievements have been recognised through the commissioning of her biography by Bloomsbury publishers who will publish my book about her life sometime in 2024. As Jessica and Eric were lifelong partners, business and political allies, my research also includes a deep analysis of the life of Eric Huntley.

They met on the street in Kitty Georgetown in 1948, when Eric was relatively unknown as he had been living away from the capital in New Amsterdam. Jessica was a member of the Circle of Sunshine Workers youth club and trade union and had lots of friends. She had grown up through tenement yard activism and learned through her mother to resist all forms of injustices, particularly those levelled against black people. It was also here that she learned about the importance of uplifting the black race to live dignified, aspiring lives. Both Jessica and Eric survived the poverty and hunger of the 1930s and 1940s to become an internationally notable, politically active couple. With the Women’s Progressive Organisation, Jessica was part of the women’s resistance movement that kept the fight for freedom alive in the face of the repression of the then British authorities. Many of these activities had to be clandestine but were very effective in keeping the movement alive. Eric was part of the trade union movement, actively resisting colonial activities, in the face of many army raids on the family home. His political activism eventually landed him in prison.

1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion

Their journey together in Britain saw them fight anti-black racism, but also struggle for the benefit of all in their local community who needed help. Bookshop activism was central to their work. Jessica spoke about the work of the bookshop in the Ealing community and I quote her: People came to ask for jobs, about jobs, if they wanted work. They were arrested, they came. They came after the riots in Notting Hill and Southall. And the young people would come into the shop as a pilgrimage. It was really a Mecca.

As publishers, my research indicates how important their work was with writers like Valerie Bloom, Linton Kwesi Johnson, Walter Rodney, Cecil Rajendra, Lemn Sissay, Donald Hinds and Beryl Gilroy being part of the Bogle stable. Bogle L’Ouverture was the first importer of the books by popular African American authors such as Alice Walker, Toni Cade Bambara, Ntozake Shange, and Maya Angelou into Britain in the 1970s and 1980s, and a promoter of their work.

Jessica and Eric’s activism has been vast, including the Anti-colonial movement in what then British Guyana, Black Supplementary Schools, the Black Parents Movement, the International Book Fair of Radical Black and Third World Books, the Committee of Concerned West Indians, the Committee Against Repression in Guyana, the New Cross Fire and Black People’s Day of Action to mention a few areas. Both Jessica and Eric put their fight for justice ahead of personal safety, comfort, and liberty. They continued in the face of political suppression, imprisonment, personal threats, and intimidation. Jessica regularly appeared in the press following attacks on the bookshop, saying ‘we are not going to close, we are going to fight’. I want to finish with another quote from Jessica Huntley in 1991 which I believe has resonance today:

‘Each generation will choose its own priority for themselves, nothing has changed to make me alter my opinion that racism continues to be rampant, therefore many of the earlier issues continue’ What we owe Jessica and Eric Huntley cannot be measured and must never be forgotten.

1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion

GGR FOUNDER UNVEILS GOLD GUYANA MAP TRIBUTE EARRINGS CELEBRATING THE COUNTRY’S 57TH INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY

In a fitting tribute to Guyana and with deep pride for her country of birth, New York-based Guyanese Jewelry Designer, Cloyette Harris Stoute of Twin Elegance Jewelry unveiled her first piece made of solid Guyana Gold. The striking pair of “Guyana Map Tribute Earrings” dropped on May 26, 2023, celebrating the country’s 57th year of Independence.

The Guyana Map Earrings hold a profound meaning for Cloyette, founder of Guyanese Girls Rock! and Guyanese Girls Rock Foundation, and symbolize her unwavering connection to her homeland. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, the earrings feature an intricately designed Guyana map paying homage to the country’s geographical boundaries and cultural heritage. The piece serves as a celebration of Guyana’s rich history, resilience, and the profound impact it has had on shaping Cloyette’s artistic journey.

With the release of the Guyana Map Earrings, Cloyette once again demonstrates her ability to intertwine personal narratives with exquisite craftsmanship. These earrings not only showcase her immense pride in Guyana but also provide a tangible representation of her love and appreciation for her country’s culture, people, and history.

1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion

Cloyette’s commitment to highlighting the diverse facets of Guyanese identity through her jewelry serves as a reminder that jewelry can be a powerful medium for expressing one’s heritage and sense of belonging. By wearing these earrings, individuals can display their connection to Guyana and proudly celebrate its independence.

Twin Elegance Jewelry will debut its first solid gold “collection” inspired by Guyana’s national flower the “Victoria Regia” in early June 2023 in celebration of Caribbean History Month. This meaningful release aligns with the designer’s invitation to all to celebrate their heritage and embrace the stories that shape their identities.

Pieces from the Guyana Gold Enchanted Collection will be available in 14k and 18k Guyana Gold and are made to order. Visit www.twinelegance.com for details send an inquiry to care@twinelegance.com

1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion

The schedule of the 2023 Guyana Institute of Historical Research Conference

Name Item

Thursday 22 June 2023

18-19:00 hrs.

Ms. Charlene Wilkinson

Welcome reception

Introduction of the Chairman

Mr. Eric Phillips Chairman

Mrs. Hazel Woolford

Mrs. Marjorie McCaskey

Mr. Derrick Cummings

Ms. Syndrene Harris

Ras. Leon Saul

Welcome and introduction of Country representatives

Introduction of featured speaker

The Cooperative in the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.

Presentation to Mr. Cummings

Drumming & spoken word

Mr. Ceran Sondy Songs

Mr. Ivor Thom Poem

Dr. David Hinds Vote of Thanks

Ms. Syndrene Harris

Friday 23 June 2023

09:00hrs-09:45hrs

Announcements and Registration

0pening ceremony

Mr. Eric Phillips Chairman

National Pledge

National Anthem

Country of origin

All participating countries

Mrs. Hazel Woolford

Ms. Syndrene Harris

Mrs. Dawn Cush

Dr. Mark Kirton

Welcome

Announcements

Introduction of Featured speaker

The evolution and development of foreign policy and international relations in post- independence Guyana” (20 minutes)

Q&A

Mr. Keith Easton

09:50-10:05 hrs.

Tea break Session 1

10:10 hrs.-11:45hrs.

Mrs. Dawn Cush

Presentation to Featured Speaker

Title: The 1823 Demerara rebellion Guyana

1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion

Mr. Deon Abrams Chairman

Mr. Ivor Thom

Guyana

The Demerara slave rebellion monument(15 minutes) Guyana

Mr. Dwayne Benjamin The Demerara slave rebellion.(15 minutes) Guyana

Mr. Isaac Critchlow

Mr. Elton McRae

Q&A

Session 1

11:50hrs.-12:30hrs.

The First West India Regiment and the Demerara Rebellion of 1823 (15 minutes)

The 1823 Demerara slave rebellion (15 minutes)

Panel 2

Title: Village histories

Mr. Carl Brathwaite Chairman

Mr. Rodwell Lewis will present for

Mrs. Beryl Haynes

A History of the Plaisance Village(15 minutes)

Mr. Keith Easton My journey(15 minutes)

Dr. Simpson DaSilva The Village economy(15 minutes)

Q&A

Lunch

Session 2

13:05hrs.-14:30hrs.

12:35hrs.-13:05hrs.

Panel 1

Title: Legacies of Enslavement: Exploring Britain’s Links with Historical Slavery

Dr. Cassandra Gooptar Chairperson

Mr. Frederick Bricknell History below the waterline: Exploring the environmental history of British Guiana, c.1796-1838. (15 minutes)

Dr. Richard Stone

Bristol, Capital and Enslavement: Researching Enslavement and its legacies in Britain and the Caribbean through Co-Production and Citizen Research(15 minutes)

King’s College University

Dr. Andrea Livesey

Researching with students: slavery research at Liverpool John Moores University”.(15 minutes)

Hybrid

Trinidad

Hull, UK

Bristol, UK

Dr. Cassandra Gooptar

Legacies of Enslavement: Exploring links of UK Institutions with Historical Slavery & Engagement with Descendant.

Liverpool, UK

Trinidad &Tobago

1823-2023.

Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion

Q&A

Session 2

14:35hrs.-15:50 hrs.

Communities. (15 minutes)

Panel 2

Title: Gender, sexuality and imprisonment.

Dr. Norman Ng-A-Qui Chairman

Dr. Estherine Doobay Gender, Women and Prisons in British Guiana. (15 minutes)

Dr. Diana Paton Emancipation, Indenture, and the Policing of ‘Public Order’ in British Guiana, 1838-1900. (15 minutes)

Mr. Joel Simpson

Q&A

Session 2

15:55hrs.-16:20

Panel 3

Guyana

Guyana

Edinburgh

Guyana

Guyana

Title: Art and Artists Guyana

Mr. Ivor Thom Chairman

Ms. Pekahiah James Severed Lines: The Role of Art in the Preservation of our Cultural Heritage.

Saturday morning, 24 June 2023

09:00hrs-09:45hrs

Session 3

Call to order Dr.Richard Stone

Dr.Richard Stone Chairman

Guyana

Ms. Shalima Mohammed Introduction of Featured speaker Trinidad

Dr. Kumar Mahabir Why we should talk about race in the Caribbean (20 minutes)

Q&A

09:50-10:05 hrs.

Tea break

Session 3

Hybrid

Ms. Shalima Mohammed Hybrid

Panel 1

Dr. Duane Edwards Chairman Guyana

10:10 hrs.-11:45hrs.

Title: 7. Main trends in education.

Ms. Nalini Naidu Museum resource in academia: Observations of the Chau Chak Wing Museum at The University of Sydney (15 minutes)

Mr. Cecil Simon (15 minutes)

Dr. Nigel Westmaas

Teaching: The 1823 Demerara

1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion

Guyana

Australia

Guyana

Q&A

Session 3

11:50 hrs-12:30hrs.

slave rebellion

Panel 2 Guyana

Title: The Creole world of Guyana and the Caribbean Guyana

Mr. Vincent Alexander Chairman

IPADAG

Dr. Janice Imhoff And tomorrow did come… (15 mins) Guyana

Dr. Nastassia Rambarran An exploration of the nightlife in New Amsterdam, Berbice during the turn of the 21st century (15 minutes)

Lunch

12:35hrs.-13:00hrs

Session 4

13:05 hrs.-14:05hrs.

Dr. Diane Paton

Panel 1

Title: 8. Business and ethnicity

Chairperson

Mr. Carl Brathwaite “Race, ethnicity and, business(20 minutes)

Q&A

Session 4

14:10 hrs.-15:05hrs.

Panel 2

Title: 12. Culture and the Arts.

Barbados

Dr. Vijay Maharaj Chairperson Trinidad

Mr. Winston Felix The Story of a Great Warrior. (20 minutes) Guyana

Q&A

Session 5

15:10 hrs.-16:10 hrs.

Dr. Andrea Livesey

Panel 1

Title: 5. Gender, women, race and, identity

Chairperson

Dr. Kathleen Rodney-Scott The feminization of the University. (20 minutes)

Q&A

Session 6

16:15hrs.- 17:30hrs.

Chairs

Charlene Wilkinson

David Hinds

Q&A

Youth forum

1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion

Upcoming

1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion

1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion

1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion