Unity, brotherhood will steer Guyanese...

During the joyous time, devotees were also told to think good, speak good and do good and be strong, brave, and confident.

Attending the celebration were Public Works Minister Juan Edghill, Local Government and Regional Development Minister Nigel Dharamlall, Regional Chairperson Vilma De Silva, and Regional Executive Officer Susan Saywack.

As the afternoon swept in some other hues were added, as the dignitaries who attended the event were smeared with all the colours of the rainbow on the grounds of the tarmac.

WCD

Meanwhile, Minister Edghill also travelled to the West Coast of Demerara, where he joined in the celebrations.

During his remarks, he encouraged the residents to continue to do what makes them unique.

“Let us continue to do what makes us unique and peculiar, and what distinguishes us as Guyanese. Our love for each other, and the respect we have for each other,” he said.

While Phagwah marks the beginning of spring; in Guyana, the festival is much more than a Hindu festival.

Though it was brought to Guyana by East Indians when they came to then British Guiana as indentured labourers in 1838 from India, over the years it has become a truly Guyanese celebration.

It is regarded as one of the country’s most revered and celebrated festivals and is observed in almost every part of the country.

It is a time when Guyanese of all colours and creeds take to the streets to play, mingle and embrace. Horse carts, trucks, and canters on this day are seen filled with people, delighting in and spreading the colours.

The festival lasts for a day and a night, which starts in the evening of Purnima or the Full Moon Day in the month of Falgun (March). It is celebrated with the name Holika Dahan or Choti Holi on the first evening of the festival, and the following day is called Holi.

In different parts of the country, it is known by different names. (La’Wanda McAllister and Raywattie Deonarine)

Essequibo Coast

On the Essequibo Coast, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam), it was also a kaleidoscope of colours during the annual Phagwah Mela, hosted by the owner of the Jaigobin Supermarket.

It attracted scores of families and friends on the supermarket’s tarmac which was engulfed in bright colours, flaunting families of different ethnic groups and religious backgrounds.

Chowtal Goles sang chowtals in their villag-

Hindus believe Phagwah is the ideal time to forgive and renew relationships and as such, residents in the district visited neighbours, family, and friends to celebrate the Festival of Colours, and put aside their racial prejudice.

The gathering at the supermarket’s tarmac was more than just games of powder and water. The fun and frolic allowed many to share in the festive culture of Holi which promoted unity among the multicultural, es and mandirs along the coast, filling the air with the sounds of drums, jalls, chowtals, and other musical instruments, while residents came out with their Abrak, Abeer, powder, and water to add beauty to the occasion. multi-ethnic populace which already exists.

The crowd took to their heels and was blazed with entertainment fire when they were amused by cultural presentations from local artists.