Sunday Magazine, May 5, 2019

May 5, 2019

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Sunday Times Magazine

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Feature

A

merican author/philanthropist Tony Robbins once said, “It’s not what’s happening to you now or what has happened in your past that determines who you become.

Rather, it’s your decisions about what to focus on, what things mean to you, and what you’re going to do about them that will determine your ultimate destiny.”

No one knows more about changing the course of their destiny than Nazar ‘Shell’ Mohamed. Coming from humble beginnings, Mohamed was born on March 27, 1953 to parents Mariam and Mohamed Yusuff of Johanna Cecelia on the Essequibo Coast.

His father was a sawmill worker, and the family lived in a two-bedroom apartment in a logie.

Although the roof leaked and there were holes in the wall; although there was no running water, no electricity, and they had to use a latrine, the Mohameds had what mattered most, and that was: love and happiness.

Poverty was the way of life in the earlier days, with their fishermen neighbours assisting the family with fish for a meal, and even with financial assistance.

Now that he is in a place where he can provide assistance, Mohamed ensures that he takes care of the relatives of those who would have provided relief to his family when they were in need.

“You must never forget your past and those who moulded you; especially your parents, siblings and neighbours,” he says.

Being a spoilt child at his Madrasa (Islamic school), his act of being the messenger between smitten teenagers caused him to be named ‘Shell.’

As a young boy, he loved the outdoors: hunting, fishing, swimming and cricket. Being from the countryside, it meant he spent most of his days in the backdam, or engaging in sports, particularly cricket. He was a formidable batsman, and quite the athlete too.

Though his boyhood days were full of fun, frolic and mischief, Mohamed showed a keen interest in Islam. He punctually attended Madrasa, read the Holy Quran, and followed the teachings of the late Prophet and Messenger of God - Muhammad (on whom be peace). His parents were devout Muslims too.

Education was, and still is, the foundation of his life.

He started his primary education barefooted, and had to trudge on a rough brick road despite sun and rain, because he knew that if he was to change his life then, he would need to have a solid education. He was a

brilliant student, particularly in mathematics.

Due to his financial situation, Mohamed was forced to drop out of school, since his parents could not afford the bus fare of 23 cents to send him to the Anna Regina Secondary School. He never gave up though, and began a path of self-education through various means; but as life would have it, tragedy struck.

His father died, and being the eldest, he was catapulted to the role of breadwinner. He grieved a lot for his father, and to this day his hero remains his father. With a household of nine to provide for, he was forced to find a job, and he did.

It was labour intensive, spading and removing sawdust and packing lumber at a faraway sawmill. It was tough, but he never once complained because he knew he had to do what needed to be done.

Mohamed worked hard, and all he got for his efforts was just $10; but being the person he is, he made good use of that small sum. He would buy sweets for his siblings; groceries for his mother, so that they can have their meals; and for himself, just a glass of mauby and a cake.

Wanting for a better life and a more lucrative job, Mohamed began scouring the Essequibo Coast, but came up empty-handed.

That was when he decided to take the leap from the country to the city, and he moved to Georgetown and took up residence with a friend at Albouystown. It was there he felt what it was like to be robbed, and a few days after that, he moved to Bartica and then to Kaow Island, where he took a job as a checker at a sawmill.

Working for someone else was not his calling, since he was yearning to do business and be his own boss. After years, he returned to the city and settled in Alexander Village.

After stumbling on a few friends that were trading overseas, Mohamed joined them. He first started in the Caribbean, trading items like zippers.

After it became profitable, he ventured to the United States, and started to gain knowledge of the trade market. He later became a licensed Cambio dealer and started to flourish.

He ventured into a series of other businesses, shaping what is ultimately his future. Today, he runs an empire, but still remains the humble son of a sawmill worker.

Family is ultimately important to him, and he values his marriage, children and grandchildren. He remains the charitable man, and not a day goes by without him giving to some kind of charity.

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Sunday Times Magazine

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May 5, 2019

Food

By Rupa Seenaraine

I

ndian cuisine is known around the world for its varying ranges of aromatic spices, which is clearly differentiated from other types of cooking. Here in Guyana, Indian food is quite common, with notable variations since it was brought to this land during the arrival of East Indians in 1838.

In India, the streets are usually bustling with merchants who market their dried spices such as cumin, masalas, chillies, cinnamon, turmeric, cardamom and mustard seeds among others. Ginger and coriander are also prevalent to achieve certain distinct tastes.

In India, there is an ar-

ray of sweet and savoury dishes depending on the location. In fact, each state captures a different palate but these have been uniquely merged into one here in Guyana.

When the indentured immigrants arrived, the cooking techniques were brought from their motherland. Up until a few decades ago, these practices were well-preserved just as how the way it was done in the early era.

During a conversation with my grandmother, Homattie Seenaraine, she revealed that in her young childhood, it was a norm for Indian food to be prepared on a daily basis.

On most occasions, dhal or lentils was a staple with a few curried vegetables. If

rice wasn’t prepared to accompany a curry, roti or dhal puri was made.

“This is what we were taught to cook. Dhal was regular food. Every afternoon, people would return from the farm and they would be made this and other vegetables, whatever was available at that time. Sometimes, dhal puri if there was enough time,”

she said.

She distinctively remembered ‘seven curry’ being prepared on important events when persons from the village would be invited. It is still known as one of the most popular dishes, having seven components mainly rice, lentils, a chutney and four to five vegetable dishes all served up in a lotus leaf, which surprisingly serves conveniently as a plate.

Back in those days, the use of a mortar and pestle was quite common. The mortar was a hollow bowl, usually made of stone and the pestle would be used to crush spices and other herbs. The traditional fireside was used primarily for all cooking.

Adding to that, amchar or pickles would be made from weeks ago and stored in jars.

Seasonal fruits such as mangoes would be picked and prepared to last for as long as they could by using mustard oil and other natural preservatives.

In a modernised setting, the prevalence of these foods is still widespread.

However, there is an indentation caused by western influence by persons of the younger generations.

While many of the foods are still prepared, it is mostly done on special occasions, religious holidays like Holi and Diwali or just a few times a week as compared to every meal.

Of course, there are other items such as samosas, which have gained popularity through increased connection to India. In this way, other dishes are being introduced to the Guyanese strata.

“There is a lot of western influence on the Indian cooking because now it is occasional to do things that we used to do every day.

People, of course, learn new ways,” she said.

Presently, many of the ingredients used in Indian cooking are sold extensively in supermarkets and local arcades. Adding to that, some spices are processed

and packaged by locals, eliminating the tedious task of grinding these elements.

Sweetmeats

Barfi, kheer, gulab jamun, ladoo, jalebi and many others are the most common sweet delicacies which originated from India. Having survived many tweaks and changes in the Guyanese culture, the recipes are passed from one generation to the next.

Growing up in a very traditional home, a variety of these were prepared and distributed to neighbours on auspicious occasions. A common favourite was seemingly kheer, made with rice and milk with cinnamon, sugar and cardamom. Raisins and other dried fruits were also added.

This was served with gulab jamoon, a sweet, syrupy sphere which earned its unmistakable taste from just a few drops of rosewater.

Jalebi, on the other hand, is another syrup based delicacy but models a crunchy texture.

Food has evolved to include the plethora of different cultures incorporated in the Guyanese fabric.

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May 5, 2019

Sunday Times Magazine 5

Feature

By Rupa Seenaraine

W

hen one hears the mention of tassa drummers, their mind immediately rushes to primarily men. It is one of the many stereotypes buried within society, which chooses to hide women from these roles.

This is not the same for Chandni Jaimangal, an 18-year-old who is passionate about tassa drumming and plays for one of the most popular groups – the Dynamic Tassa Troup.

During a recent interview with the Sunday Times Magazine, she related that this journey began about one year ago when she officially joined her three brothers – Navindra, Chanshekhar and Chanderpaul along with the other members of the group.

According to Chandni, making the step of entering a male-dominated field was never strange since she grew up watching her brothers play the drums.

Eventually, she too became engrossed with learning the skill, which she has managed to perfect.

“I joined my brothers about a year now. So far, it has been amazing. My brothers were the ones to teach me how to play and I just love the vibe and playing for people.”

For her, making people happy takes precedence and she is especially pleased when persons dance to the music which she has created.

“What I like most is that when I’m playing, people dance and sometimes they have a nice moment.

Everybody is happy. As long as you see that they’re happy, I’m happy,” she revealed.

Presently, Chandni accompanies the troupe to all events, sometimes it is weddings and on other occasions, it is to perform for the

President at State House.

She shared that accepting the invitation to play at State House is one of her most memorable memories.

Another thing she loves about being a member of the troupe is travelling to different locations. So far, she was lucky to visit Essequibo, Wakenaam and Berbice among other places.

“Playing at State House was really amazing. Other than that, I got to travel to Essequibo, Wakenaam and Berbice and hopefully, more opportunities will come in the future.”

Navindra Jaimangal, who is the founder of the group, hinted that other females have expressed interests in joining the group and it is something he looks forward to in the future.

With the right training, he is positive that other girls can join the team successfully.

“My sister is the first female to ever join our group.

Many others asked but they are yet to come for training and we would love to recruit more female tassa players to the troupe,” he expressed.

Coming from the community of Windsor Forest on the West Bank of Demerara, his two brothers helped to officially form the group.

From 2014 to now, they have evolved to recruit many persons, some of whom have left and others who have enjoyed the company of the troupe. During that process, the name “Dynamic” surfaced and it describes what the group is about – new ideas and invention.

The other members of the team include Subhash Haimraj, Mohan Singh, Deepak Rupchand, Kevin Somwaru, Jagdeo Persaud, Haresh Hanoman, Ryan Persaud and Adesh Rabichand.

“We played tassa for over 10 years now but Dynamic was created in 2014. The

name Dynamic comes from the style we play, always finding new stuff to incorporate and new ideas.”

He stated that the group is always open to sharing their talent with other interested youths. So far, they conduct continuous training with

persons and then introduce them to the field to give them some exposure.

The group currently has 10 members, and they would alternate themselves to fit the schedule.

He is hoping that they can take their skills in Trinidad, where tassa drumming is highly recognized and the competition is intense.

“Usually, a group could play with four. On average, we would have about six.

That’s the advantage of hav-

ing so many members. In the time to come, we plan on going to Trinidad.

We know that there is a lot of competition but it’s good just for the experience and participation,” he explained.

At present, the group is practising for the Dubraj Tassa Competition, which is slated for May 5. Last year, they would have acquired second place and this time around, they are hoping to take the first place.

6 Sunday Times Magazine

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May 5, 2019

Feature

G

u y a nese, will on Sunday, May 5, 2019 observe East Indian Arrival Day ; an occasion commemorating the 181st anniversary of their arrival, bringing with them their ancient customs, food and culture from India.

Under a system of agreement, an order in the Council of Britain was passed on July 12, 1838 making provision for indentured immigrants to travel to Guyana for a term of five years.

The immigrant ship Hesperus

On January 13, 1838 the Whitby left the shores of India with 249 immigrants on board and arrived in Guyana on the 5th May 1838 after a voyage of 112 days. Five immigrants died during the voyage. The Whitby proceeded first to Berbice and landed 164 passengers at Hilbury, East Bank Berbice, nearly 12 miles from New Amsterdam.

East of the capital, the

same day it returned to Vreeden-hoop, West Demerara and landed 80 passengers. Out of the 244 immigrants that came with the Whitby they were 233 men, 5 women and 6 children. The first man to step on shore in Berbice was Anant Ram while in Demerara the first man to disembark was Nutha Khan.

On January 29, 1838, the Hesperus sailed from Calcutta sixteen days later than the Whitby, with 165 persons on board. It arrived at Port Georgetown on the night of May 5th 1838, 13 immigrants died during the voyage including two persons who fell over-board. Out of the 152 im-

migrants that came on board the Hesperus, were 135 men, 6 women and 11 children.

On January 26, 1845 ‘Lord Hunger’ left Calcutta with 162 passengers on board, the ship arrived in Georgetown on May 4, 1845, and ten persons died on the way. Next ship was the ‘Success’, which arrived on July 21, 1845 with 231 passengers, 14 died on the way. Next was the ‘Nester’, which arrived on December 26, 1845 with 233 persons and brought 500 bags of rice.

On February 2, 1846 ‘Manchester’ then the ‘Thetis’ followed by the ‘Tamerlane’ the ‘Martin Luther’ and ‘Troy” in succession, then the ‘John Wickliffe’, the ‘Bussorary Merchant’, the ‘Aurora’, ‘Lady Mekennaway’ and lastly the ‘SS Ganges’, which docked in Georgetown on April 18, 1917.

Bringing that period, 79 years- 238,979 indentured labourers journeyed from India to Guyana to work under colonial administration. They were distributed to various locations on the coastland of Guyana.

The plantation system and conditions were not favourable at all. The immigrants worked from sunrise to sunset and were so poorly paid that they were just able to exist. They slaved and provided luxurious living for their masters. They brought with them a rich culture and heritage together with a language.

The indentured immigrants were disciplined and found satisfaction in honest and productive work. They were kind, hospitable and generous and they lived contented lives. They made tremendous sacrifices so that their descendants would be able to enjoy a better standard of living.

The foremost characteristic of the struggle of the East Indian immigrants against indenture and plantation system was their unity. Their unity had been forged on shipboard. Those who came on the same ship were considered as ship brothers and sisters-“Jahaji”.

A further contributing factor to unity was that everyone came with an inter-faith mind of mainly Hindus and Muslims and there was also a belief that the caste system has been lost through the crossing of ‘Kaala’ Pani (Black Water). Through the years the community spirit has manifested itself in various situations-forming groups singing Ramayan, Bhajanas reading of the Holy Quran

and observing the various festivals and holi days etc.

The plantation owners and the colonial administration feared the unity of the workers and used several techniques to destroy it. By January 1830, there was evidence that the Indian labourers were being mistreated.

Far more significant were the uprisings, which frequently led to tragic deaths of immigrant workers protesting illegal wages, bad conditions and the exploitation of their women.

There were eight main disturbances on sugar plantations leading to shooting by colonial police from Devonshire Castle in 1872 to 1948 at Enmore. At Vreed-enhoop, West Bank Demerara an English nurse Betsy Ann testified that she had witnessed the flogging of immigrants with the cat-o-nine tails, and another woman Elizabeth Caesar witnessed the flogging of immigrants under the manager’s house after which, salt pickle was rubbed on to their backs.

Figures show that one out of every five immigrants was brought before the courts; not for offences of a criminal nature but for resistance to a plantation system, which was supported by the judiciary and colonial administration.

There were no trade unions until recent times.

The East Indians have contributed in a significant way to build Guyana’s economic and social structures.

It was indeed the unity of principle and action among East Indians that brought overwhelming success to our dear land of Guyana.

(Adapted from an article by Shan Razak; 2013 Guyana Times newspaper)

Origin of indentureship

Most of us know that ‘Arrival Day’ is about the ‘arrival’ of ‘indentured servants’ to labour on the sugar plantations after the abolition of slavery - first the Portuguese (1935), West Indian Africans (1835), Indians (1838), and, finally, the Chinese (1853).

But exactly what is an ‘indentured servant’? It is actually one of a series of arrangements in which individuals were pressured by various devices - which were enacted into ‘law’ - to provide their labour under controlled and specified conditions.

‘Indentured labour’ was but one of various guises under which individuals across the globe were conscripted to provide labour in the develop-

East Indian lodgings

ment of the ‘capitalist’ mode of production that developed as Europe began to exploit the worlds it had ‘discovered’ – and more germanely, conquered – after 1492. There were indentured labourers from Europe starting from the 17th century long before the Indians from India.

Indian indentureship

In India, which the British East India Company conquered between 1657 and 1818, the British passed laws that changed the rules on land taxes and crops that should be cultivated. Consequently, millions died from famine and pushed off the land to become the excess labour that could be exported to other parts of the empire as needed.

Under the new racism, Indians were also lower intrinsically to whites.

Indentured Indian labour was first used within India in the tea plantations of Assam, and then to the newly acquired French islands of Reunion and Mauritius.

After the abolition of African slavery in the British Empire in 1834, rather than moving to ‘free labour’, as was promised, they introduced ‘unfree’ indentured labour by law. The contracts of the indentureds were structured to keep them bound to their employer so that if they were not in the fields, they had to be either in jail or hospital.

Infractions of their contract were subjected to criminal penalties, and these were applied liberally.

In Fiji, the descendants of the Indian indentureds call themselves ‘GIRMITIYA’ people of the agreement by which they were bound to the new world.

The indenture contracts formed a partnership between the traveller and the ‘master’ to exchange years of service for a promise of future compensation like acres of land, livestock, clothing, room and boarding during the time of service. The terms of this contract were between servant Patrick Larkin and Master Thomas Blood.

The Indian Indenture contract

Below is an example from Mauritius of the indenture contract that Indians were made to sign before embarking on the ship for the colonies at the beginning of indentureship. The terms were to be copied by all the countries such as Guyana and Trinidad, which received indentured labour later.

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May 5, 2019

Sunday Times Magazine 7

Feature

By Brandon Corlette

A

t age 18, Guyana’s Under 19 female captain, Shabika Gajnabi remains on the radar for selection in West Indies Women’s team. In 2018, she gained selection

in the West Indies Women’s training squad ahead of the Stand-alone ICC Women’s World T20.

She continued her outstanding performances at both the junior and senior levels for Guyana and she

By Professor Indira Babbellapati Coerced Manipulated Lured Hoards and hoards Huddled up on decks What the dark waters Had in store None could guess Thrown into one’s own kinsman But each in one’s own Cocoon of dreams Of wealth Of returning Names forgotten Numbers, their identity ‘Slaves’ reinvented To augment imperial arrogance To make the rulers ‘sweeter’ Cheap labor to fill the royal coffers Thumb impressions Sealing generations of lives Labeled ‘coolies’ They passed on legacy of uprootedness They strived and struggled The song they secretly Carried from the homeland Their only connect To the past of familiar shores Lurking like fading light Where are they?

Scattered all over the world Return to the motherland A distant cry Human history— A saga of exploitation A saga of subversion Personal history— Cracked memories Carefully secured in one’s heart.

is in the current training squad that will tour Ireland and England in May/June 2019. Born on July 14, 2000, Shabika Gajnabi hails from the humble village of Chesney but she is a current player for the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTYSC). Gajnabi was inspired by her father to play the game of cricket and she has never looked back.

The blooming cricketing talent, Gajnabi attended the Port Mourant Secondary School; she lived a dream of becoming an international player, representing West Indies Women’s. That dream is on the brink of reality as she is seen as one of the supreme talents in the Caribbean. Gajnabi dominated the recently concluded Regional U-19 Female tournament in Trinidad and Tobago.

A clean hitter of the cricket ball, Gajnabi was one of three Guyanese to make the Regional team of

Shabika Gajnabi displays her top form as she prepares to assault the incoming ball

the tournament on the back of some stellar performances. The right-handed batter, Gajnabi hit 52 from 48 balls against hosts, Trinidad and Tobago following her 57 against Jamaica. Bowling her right arm medium, Gajnabi had 3-13 against Barbados U-19s and 2-15 against Canada.

In the Senior Women’s tournament, the teenag-

er played a significant role in Guyana’s team. She was one of two batters to aggregate 100 runs in the Super50 tournament behind her Berbice teammate, Shemaine Campbelle; Gajnabi scored 136 runs and picked up one player of the match award against the Leeward Islands. On her quest to wear the maroon colours and represent West

Indies Women’s, Gajnabi admires the current captain of the Caribbean side, Stafanie Taylor.

When asked the reason behind this choice, Gajnabi stated “I just like everything she does in cricket her captaincy, her bowling, and most importantly, her batting. My dream is to one day bat like her”. Playing at both levels for Guyana, Gajnabi’s most successful batting performance came in the Female Inter-county tournament in 2019. The belligerent right-hander blasted a high score of 160 against Essequibo in a match played at Everest Cricket Club. Her best bowling performance was 4-12 in four overs.

Equipped with such talent, the humble being will certainly break into the West Indies Women’s team.

With age on her side, she will be the next product this nation has produces that will play cricket at the highest level.

8 Sunday Times Magazine

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May 5, 2019

Tourism

T

wo hundred and fifty labourers had sailed from Kolkata (then Calcutta) India on The Whitby to arrive in British Guiana on May 5, 1838.

Four died along the 96-day journey. Highbury, their first point of entry, is a small village at the culmination of an annual trek by those commemorating the arrival of East Indians in Guyana.

According to some accounts, many of those who returned to India after their indentureship period at Highbury had ended, returned with substantial wealth; paving the way for the Indian indentureship era in Guyanese history, and, according to most scholars, saving the colony from ruin and abandonment.

After the labour vacuum left by freed slaves began to have a disastrous effect on colonial industry, particularly the sugar industry, the owners of Plantation Highbury along with a few others including John Gladstone, from Liverpool, England, sent to India for workers to tend their investments.

Henry Davidson, Aeneas Barkly, whose only surviving son Henry Barkly would become the 4th governor of British Guiana (1849-1853), and D.C. Cameron, were the British owners of the plantation. Aeneas Barkly died during the apprenticeship period, and his son Henry took over his father’s affairs.

One hundred and seventeen labourers, including 11 females, arrived at Plantation Highbury on the East bank of the Berbice River to begin their period of indenture on the colony. Their indentures were dated from Dec. 29, 1837.

According to some accounts, by January 1839, a visit by a Justice Macleod to Plantation Highbury found that 15 males and two females had since died, and some 10-15 were on the “sick list”. The surviving labourers were described as “cheerful and contented”. By November 1839, mortality rates at the plantation included 17 males and one female, with 12

on the sick list. Others had run away several times, despite reports of the good treatment of coolies on the plantation.

Official colony records stated that 22 persons from the original first batch had died on Plantation Highbury, either from drowning, excessive drinking, dysentery or gangrene, to name a few, while two had run away. Colony records also note that the Highbury Pln labourers reared the most livestock than anywhere else on the colony; both for their own food and to sell.

In January 1843, Davidson wrote to Lord Stanley that “the first-class ship “Louisa Baille”” was returning to India with a batch of former indentured workers from Highbury estate. This was after a flurry of letters from colony governor Henry Light to Lord Stanley in England, conveying the increasing uneasiness of the workers who were still in the colony awaiting their journey back home after serving out their contracts.

Colony records estimate that 81 Highbury labourers returned to India on the “Louisa Baille”, while nine chose to remain on the colony. There were also eight women, seven boys and two girls on the return trip, of which all but two children were born on the colony. Between the 81 labourers, the group was returning with some $8,536, while four of the nine remaining had no savings at the time.

But Plantation Highbury was not the original name of the estate, nor were its British owners its original landlords. The estate initially belonged to the Berbice Association, a Dutch association formed in 1720 similar to the East India Company (of Hindustan) to expand cultivation within the colony and which was a substantial slave owner on the colony.

The Berbice Association, though with allegiance to Holland, were proprietors who governed the territory and could sell lands, described as lots or grants, to private owners willing to establish

2017 Arrival Day observances at Highbury ( DPI Photo)

plantations. The association also retained lands on which they established what they called “model estates”. These model estates, known as “Society’s ground” or “Society’s Plantations”, are also referred to as “Colony Estates” on some maps.

When the colony was captured by the British, there were four such estates under the association, and an agreement was made between the two sides that these were to be treated as private rather than government property.

These four estates were called Dageraad, St Jan, Dankbaarheid and Sandvoort, and remained association property until November 1818 when they were sold to Cameron, Davidson and Barkly, partners of the English company Davidson’s, Barkly & Co. The partners in this purchase then divided the properties among themselves.

Cameron, along with a friend, took Sandvoort, then a large coffee estate in Canje.

Sandvoort would later be divided into two; of which one half was converted into a sugar estate named “Lochaber” after the Scottish headquarters of the Camerons.

The other three plantations re-

mained with Barkly and Davidson, though Dageraad, a sugar plantation, after a period was handed over to the government as a leper asylum or colony.

St Jan, originally a coffee plantation, and Dankbaarheid , a sugar estate, were united and renamed Highbury, after Barkly’s place, Highbury Grove, in Middlesex (then an English county) near London.

In addition, according to the book “Frustrated Peasants, Marginalized Workers: Free African Villages in Guyana” by Wazir Mohamed, sometime between 1847 -1848, 100 acres of Crown Land in Highbury were commun a l l y pur-

Dancing celebration

chased by former slaves. Between 1853 and 1880, writes Walton Look Lai in his book “The Chinese in the West Indies, 1806-1995: A Documentary History”, Highbury Plantation also indentured Chinese workers.

Position of Arrival Day monument One note of unease from some members of the East Indian Community is the fact that the construction of the Indian Arrival Day monument, in the pipeline, should be sited at Highbury, where the first batch of Indian immigrants actually arrived, instead of Palmyra.

Replica of the Whitby

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May 5, 2019

Sunday Times Magazine

9

10 Sunday Times Magazine

May 5, 2019

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Feature

A photograph of The Clyde, which brought indentured immigrants from Calcutta to Demerara (Photo by the British Library)

Plantation Enmore, East Coast Demerara, British Guiana (Photo from 'British Guiana Picture Postcards' by Terence Dickinson)

Rural dwelling, West Coast Demerara. Logies of Leonora Estate, once occupied by plantation workers (Photo courtesy of National Trust of Guyana)

Sugar factory at work, Plantation Skeldon (Berbice Gazette)

Immigration Department

East Indian Market, Plantation Farm, East Bank Demerara (Photo courtesy of National Trust of Guyana)

Interior view of sugar factory

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May 5, 2019

Sunday Times Magazine 11

Indian Recipes

• • • • •

• • • • • •

• • • • • •

Ingredients 4 dried red chilli peppers 3 long, green fresh chilli peppers 1 teaspoon cumin seeds 1 teaspoon Kashmiri garam masala 1 (1 inch) piece fresh ginger root, peeled and grated 5 cloves garlic, crushed 1/4 cup dried unsweetened coconut 3 tomatoes, chopped 6 tablespoons vegetable oi l2 large onions, thinly sliced 2 pounds lamb meat, cut into 1 1/2inch cubes Salt to taste 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric 1 cup plain yogurt 1/2 teaspoon saffron threads 20 whole blanched almonds 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1.

Directions Place red chiles, green chiles, cumin seeds, garam masala, ginger, garlic, grated coconut, and tomatoes into a blender; pulse several times to chop, then blend into a smooth

Ingredients • 1 cup yogurt • tablespoon lemon juice • 2 teaspoons fresh ground cumin • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon • 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper • 2 teaspoons freshly ground black

pepper • 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger • 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste • 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts,

cut into bite-size pieces • 4 long skewers • 1 tablespoon butter

Ingredients • 2 mangoes – peeled, seeded and diced • 2 cups plain yogurt • ½ cup white sugar • 1 cup ice Directions In a blender, combine mangos, yogurt, sugar and ice. Blend until smooth. Pour into glasses and serve.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

paste.

Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Stir in onion; cook and stir until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low, and continue cooking and stirring until the onion is very tender and golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes more.

Stir the spice paste into the onion and cook and stir until the oil separates from the mixture, about 3 minutes.

Stir in lamb pieces and salt. Cook, stirring frequently over medium-high heat, until the lamb pieces are browned on all sides, about 8 minutes.

Mix in yogurt, saffron, and blanched almonds until well combined.

Reduce the heat to low and simmer, covered, until the meat is tender and the gravy is thick, about 1 hour.

Garnish the curry with chopped cilantro before serving.

• • • • • • • •

1 clove garlic, minced 1 jalapeno pepper, finely chopped 2 teaspoons ground cumin 2 teaspoons paprika 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce 1 cup heavy cream 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Directions • In a large bowl, combine yogurt,

lemon juice, 2 teaspoons cumin,

cinnamon, cayenne, black pepper,

ginger, and salt. Stir in chicken,

cover, and refrigerate for 1 hour.

• Preheat a grill for high heat.

• Lightly oil the grill grate. Thread

chicken onto skewers, and discard

marinade. Grill until juices run clear,

about 5 minutes on each side.

• Melt butter in a large heavy skillet

over medium heat. Sauté garlic

and jalapeno for 1 minute. Season

with 2 teaspoons cumin, paprika,

and 3 teaspoons salt. Stir in tomato

sauce and cream. Simmer on low

heat until sauce thickens, about 20

minutes. Add grilled chicken, and simmer for 10 minutes. Transfer

to a serving platter, and garnish with

fresh cilantro.

Home & Cooking

Ingredients • 1 (.25 ounce) package

active dry yeast • 1 cup warm water • 1/4 cup white sugar • 3 tablespoons milk • 1 egg, beaten • 2 teaspoons salt • 4 1/2 cups bread flour • 2 teaspoons minced garlic

(optional) • 1/4 cup butter, melted Directions 1. In a large bowl, dissolve

yeast in warm water.

Let stand about 10

minutes, until frothy. Stir

in sugar, milk, egg, salt,

and enough flour to

make a soft dough. Knead

for 6 to 8 minutes on a

lightly floured surface, or

until smooth. Place dough

in a well oiled bowl, cover with a

damp cloth, and set aside to rise. Let

it rise 1 hour, until the dough has

doubled in volume.

2. Punch down dough, and knead in

garlic. Pinch off small handfuls of

dough about the size of a golf ball.

Roll into balls, and place on a tray.

Cover with a towel, and allow to rise

until doubled in size, about 30

minutes.

3. During the second rising, preheat

4.

Ingredients • 1 cup yogurt • tablespoon lemon juice • 2 teaspoons fresh ground cumin • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon • 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper • 2 teaspoons freshly ground black

pepper • 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger • 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste • 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces

• • • • • • • • • •

Directions • In a large bowl, combine yogurt,

lemon juice, 2 teaspoons cumin,

cinnamon, cayenne, black

pepper, ginger, and salt. Stir in

chicken, cover, and refrigerate

for 1 hour.

• Preheat a grill for high heat.

• Lightly oil the grill grate. Thread

chicken onto skewers, and

discard marinade. Grill until

juices run clear, about 5 minutes

on each side.

•

grill to high heat.

At grill side, roll one ball of dough out into a thin circle. Lightly oil grill.

Place dough on grill, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until puffy and lightly browned. Brush uncooked side with butter, and turn over.

Brush cooked side with butter, and cook until browned, another 2 to 4 minutes. Remove from grill, and continue the process until all the naan has been prepared.

4 long skewers 1 tablespoon butter 1 clove garlic, minced 1 jalapeno pepper, finely chopped 2 teaspoons ground cumin 2 teaspoons paprika 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce 1 cup heavy cream 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Melt butter in a large heavy skillet over medium heat. Sauté garlic and jalapeno for 1 minute.

Season with 2 teaspoons cumin, paprika, and 3 teaspoons salt.

Stir in tomato sauce and cream.

Simmer on low heat until sauce thickens, about 20 minutes. Add grilled chicken, and simmer for 10 minutes. Transfer to a serving platter, and garnish with fresh cilantro.

12 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

May 5, 2019

Puzzles

ACROSS

1 Guitar sound 6 Brooded

11 Loose-fitting

16 Kind of jar

21 Calgary Stampede

22 Skirt the issue

23 Dragon puppet

24 Chemical compound

25 Winter constellation

26 Wear hand-me-downs

27 Attacked by jellyfish

28 Stoops

29 Navajo foe

30 Qatar rulers

32 Water-lily painter

34 Dollop

36 -- a load of that!

37 Clonk

39 Finished up

41 Second to none

43 Impedes

45 Domed residence

47 Specks

49 Bear habitat

51 Black-footed critters

54 Whiz 55 Posterior

56 Veep’s boss

60 Adjusts, as tires

61 Shogun’s domain

62 Greet the queen

64 Demand, as a price

65 George of “Star Trek”

66 Raul’s brother

67 Objects on radar

68 Ekberg of films

70 Dog days in Dijon

71 Front indicator

73 Laments loudly

74 Yodeler’s home

75 Croat neighbor

77 Town near Provo

78 Butte cousins

79 Gander (hyph.)

80 Pulls apart

82 “Emptor,” translated

83 Portage item

84 Daisy Mae - 87 Find a new tenant

88 Philandering fellow

89 Like some controls

93 Breathes hard

94 Had a cough

95 Sore-throated

97 Kung fu expert Bruce - 98 Pixies

99 Wallet stuffers

100 Latin dance music

101 A Beatle

103 Whopper

104 Muss up someone’s hair

106 Muscular

107 Hold onto

108 Vampire’s tooth

110 WWW addresses

111 Rally starters

112 Happy outcome

113 Viewpoint

115 Vicious elephant

116 Merriment

117 Dough

120 Amazing bargain

122 Stage production

124 Egg portion

128 30-day mo.

129 “Harper Valley --”

131 Think alike

133 Granny Smith

135 Noon on a sundial 136 Understand

138 Part of REM

140 Soup server

142 General course

144 Not glossy

145 Sweet liqueur

146 Thorny shrub

147 Fiddled with

148 Yet to come

149 Put on the payroll

150 Not quite right

151 Abrasive mineral DOWN

1 Speckled fish 2 Usefulness

3 Farewell

4 Prefix meaning “recent”

5 Not home

6 Soft wools

7 Go to extremes 8 Hesitate

9 Sullivan and Murrow

10 Judge

11 Sarajevo language

KATHLEEN SAXE

WORD GAME TODAY’S WORD -- JARDINIERE (JARDINIERE: jar-din-EER: An ornamental stand for plants or flowers.)

Average mark 42 words Time limit 60 minutes Can you find 60 or more words in JARDINIERE? TODAY’S WORD -- JARDINIERE jade jarred jean jeer aerie aide aired airier arid radii raid raider rain rainier ranee

rani rare read reader readier rear reed rein rend render reran reread ride rider rind

dare darer darn darner dean dear dearer deer denier dine diner dire drain drainer drear

drier idea nadir near nearer need nerd eared earn earner eider endear erne errand erred

RULES OF THE GAME: 1. Words must be of four or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of "s," such as "bats" or "dies," are not allowed. 3. Additional words made by adding a "d" or an "s" may not be used. For example, if "bake" is used, "baked" or "bakes" are not allowed, but "bake" and "baking" are admissible. 4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.

12

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15

16

17

18

19

20 31

33

35

38

40

42

44

46

48

50

51

52

53

54

55

57

58

59

Changes clothes Floods the market Pink lady ingredient Safecracker Crowded around noisily Lumberjack tool Blacken More peculiar Egg containers Defrosts Regularly Some bouquets Mournful music Toddler swaddler Punks Recipe meas.

Wish granters Almond-shaped Equine fodder Fearsome trio Raise spirits Picard’s assistant Respectful title Cliff dwellings, now Racetrack boundaries Helena rival Aquarium denizen

61

62

63

66

67

69

72

73

74

76

78

79

81

82

83

84

85

86

87 88

90

91

92

94

95

96

99

Is in accord

Unambiguous

Search engine Focus and Escape

Under siege

Ready to streak Nightclub numbers

Entered data

Ice-cream treats

Intrepid

Pack animals Gene Tierney movie

Spit out

Ball girl?

Run on gravity

Rock ledge

Ben Jonson dedicatee “Nevermore” quoter

Lunar trenches

Buns Humeri attachments

Zeus’ shield Trotsky and Spinks

Ushers’ beats

Flagged down

Not slouching Knot on a tree

100 102 105 106 107 109 111 112 114 115 116 117 118 119 121 123 125 126 127 130 132 134 137 139 141 143

Crewmate of Uhura Like dandruff Should, with “to” Call, as an elk In the country Guy’s date Hopped on Coy smiles Took a snooze Junta, say Sugarbush units Obsidian, once Talk-show name Expound at length Narrow down Diameter halves Kind of daisy Hard-hit drive Tot (var.)

Part of a foot Isle off Sicily Feminine suffix RR terminal Christina’s pop Tentacle PC acronym See Solution on page 14

guyanatimesgy.com

May 5, 2019

Sunday Times Magazine 13

14 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

May 5, 2019

Bollywood/Hollywood

P

A

ctor Hrithik Roshan and his former wife Sussanne Khan got divorced in 2014 but are often seen together along with their two children, Hrehaan and Hridhaan. Speaking to Bollywood Hungama, Sussanne said that their marriage may have ended but her relationship with Hrithik is sacred and that he is her support system.

She was quoted as saying: “I have a support system in Hrithik.

It’s not a marriage, but we are friends. That zone is so sacred to me, it doesn’t make me feel sad or lonely.

My kids are go-getters.

They organise things!” Hrithik and Sussanne are often seen at outings with their boys, be it lunches and dinners or movie outings. They also go on vacations as a family.

Hrithik and Sussanne were married for 14 years before they ended their relationship in 2014.

The two continue to co-parent their children. Last year, there was speculation that they may reconcile but both had dismissed the rumours.

Hrithik will be seen next in Super 30, a biopic on Bihar’s mathematics wizard Anand Kumar, who coaches students from non-privileged social strata to crack the elite IIT examination.

The film will release on July 26, which was earlier supposed to

B

ollywood actor Tiger Shroff has revealed he has been offered many Hollywood projects but he is yet to sign anything. Tiger, who is gearing up for the release of Student of the Year 2, was talking about being stereotyped as an action hero.

Claiming that not being versatile is his USP, Tiger said, “I am not at all versatile and I look at it as a positive thing. I already have an identity of an action hero in the Hindi film industry where there is so much competition.

When people talk about action heroes of the present time, one of the names could be Tiger Shroff. Yes, I am typecast but this whole thing has given me an identity and made me stand out. It makes me

hit the screens on the Republic Day weekend this year.

Sussanne has had a successful stint as an interior designer.

“My mum (Zarine) and sisters (Farah Khan Ali and Simone Arora) have been key players in my life and more importantly my careers,” Sussanne had told IANS. “Also, my boys give me all the inspiration I’ll ever need,” she added. (Hindustan Times)

feel good.”

Is he interested to work in the West?

“Though I have got some offers, I haven’t signed anything yet. I am very lucky that people have noticed my work and have understood that I have the ability to perform action. Maybe there is a void of young action heroes in the West, which is opening a possibility,” he said.

Starting his career with Heropanti in 2014, Tiger has featured in films like Baaghi and Baaghi 2. He will soon feature in Student Of The Year 2, produced

by Dharma Productions. Student of the Year 2 is the sequel to the 2012 hit Student of The Year, which marked the Bollywood debut of Alia Bhatt, Varun Dhawan, and Sidharth Malhotra.

The film which is being helmed by Punit Malhotra is set to hit the screens on May 10. (Hindustan Times)

J

oe Jonas and Sophie Turner got hitched just hours after the Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas at A Little White Wedding Chapel on Wednesday, May 1, a rep for Turner confirmed to Page Six. Diplo posted footage of the wedding in his Instagram story, which showed that Turner walked down the aisle as country music duo Dan + Shay performed an acoustic version of their hit song “Speechless.”

The DJ also posted a live story to his Instagram, which showed an Elvis Presley impersonator officiating the ceremony, which ended with the pair exchanging ring pops instead of wedding bands.

Jonas’ brothers Kevin and Nick were both groomsmen.

Jonas, 29, and Turner, 23, got a marriage license earlier in the day, according to online records obtained by Page Six. The singer and “Game of Thrones” actress announced their engagement in October 2017 with an Instagram photo

of her sparkler.

Though they were rumored to have started dating in late summer 2016, the incredibly private couple didn’t make their red carpet debut until two years later, when they wore matching outfits at the Louis Vuitton fashion show at the Louvre in Paris.

The delayed debut wasn’t a surprise, though, as Turner has admitted she prefers to keep her relationships to

ink is opening up about her decision to share some of her past struggles in her new song, “Happy,” in which she sings, “Since I was 17, I’ve always hated my body / and it feels like my body’s hated me.”

“The reason I said (that) is because I’ve always had this very tomboy, very strong gymnast body, but actually at 17 I had a miscarriage, and I was going to have that child,” the 39-year-old told USA Today.

Pink further explained the lyrics of the track off her new “Hurts 2B Human” album, saying that a mis-

carriage makes a woman “feel like your body hates you and like your body is broken, and it’s not doing what it’s supposed to do.”

The now mother of two shared she’s actually had “several miscarriages” since she was a teen, adding, “I think it’s important to talk about what you’re ashamed of, who you really are and the painful (expletive). I’ve always written that way.”

In June 2011, Pink gave birth to daughter Willow Sage — her first child with husband, Carey Hart. The couple welcomed their son, Jameson Moon, in December 2016. (Page Six)

F

or actor Ayushmann Khurrana, 2018 will always be special. Two of his films, Andhadhun and later Badhaai Ho, worked wonders at the box office. It was also the time when his personal life was in turmoil.

Ayushmann’s wife Tahira Kashyap was diagnosed with breast cancer. In an interview with Rajeev Masand, Ayushmann mentioned the news of her cancer came on his birthday.

He said: “It was difficult. Thanks to her, that she was brave enough to take it positively. I was in the middle of promoting these two films last year, Andhadhun and Badhaai Ho. And we got to know of it on my birthday. And we saw a film that day, Manmarziyaan — on September 14 and we got to know about this disease and she was like I want to just celebrate my life, take it head-on and we are together in this — both fighting the disease and my promoting the films. So it was a collective effort. I am glad she has overcome and as we speak, she’s is delivering a lecture on cancer, how to fight, how to combat it. She’s a leader now with cancer patients. She’s an inspiration.”

Ayushmaan has two interesting films in his kitty — Mulk director Anubhav Sinha’s investigative drama Article 15 and Raaj Shaandilyaa’s Dream Girl. Speaking about Dream Girl, Raaj told PTI: “I can’t reveal much about the film but the title

herself. She did, however, confess to Elle magazine that she likes to date people in the entertainment industry because it’s “easier.”

“I found it easier to date someone who understands the industry or is in that world,” she shared.

“You realize that you’re not going to see each other all the time.

And you don’t feel like a jerk when you’re like, ‘My publicist says I can’t do this …’”

It wasn’t until September 2017 that it was clear these two were extremely serious. The former Jo-Bro and Turner announced they adopted a husky puppy whom they named Porky Basquiat. Only a few weeks later would Jonas pop the question.

Ahead of their big day, Jonas and Turner solidified their love in a different way: matching tattoos.

The couple decided to permanently commemorate their relationship with “Toy Story” hero Buzz Lightyear’s famous catchphrase: “To infinity and beyond.” (Page Six)

fairly reveals the story. What I can tell you is that Ayushmann becomes Sita from Ramayana, Draupadi from Mahabharata and Radha from Krishna Leela. Now why he becomes them and how, that’s what the story is about.”

The film is set in Mathura and Ayushmann will be heard speaking Haryanvi and Hindi languages in the local accent.

Ayushmann, who recently wrapped up shooting for Article 15, had previously penned a heartfelt note on his Instagram account, calling the movie “the most relevant and important film of Indian cinema”.

“Wrapped up a film which will become the most relevant and important film of Indian cinema. Thank you @anubhavsinhaa sir for giving me this gem and also writing the most realistic cop role ever. Thanks to the entire cast and crew, esp @ronjinichakraborty and @ashishsverma for this wonderful 3D mini model of mine. Love.

It’s a wrap! # Article15,” He also posted a picture featuring the 3D mini model of him. (Hindustan Times)

Crossword Solution

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May 5, 2019

Sunday Times Magazine 15

16 Sunday Times Magazine

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MAY 5, 2019

Fun Times

Archie

Keep busy doing things that you enjoy with like(March 21minded people whom you April 19) find mentally stimulating.

Romance is encouraged.

ARIES

Express your feelings and TAURUS intentions. How you take care (April 20- of pressing concerns will deMay 20) fine who you are and determine who you want to associate with.

GEMINI (MAY 28June 20)

Size up relationships and consider who you are safe sharing secrets with. The most complimentary person may not be your most loyal ally. Protect your reputation and position.

Do what works for you, not what someone else is sug(June 21- gesting. It’s OK to do things July 22) differently if that’s what makes you happy and gets the results you want.

CANCER

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Dilbert

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Use your actions and words to make a point and find out where you stand. You can’t move forward without getting the facts and finding out what’s possible.

Participate in events that will lead to information, enlightenment and opportunities. Any activity that will ease stress, offer insight and get you heading in a positive direction is encouraged.

Change may not be to your LIBRA liking, but what transpires (Sept. 23will be in your best interest.

Oct. 23) Associate with people who encourage you to expand your mind and strengthen your body.

Peanuts

An emotional attitude SCORPIO change is encouraged. Once (Oct. 24- you see how different people Nov. 22) influence you, it will encourage you to choose your allies carefully. Not everyone is looking out for you.

Don’t give up when you SAGITTARIUS should be getting started.

(Nov. 23Dec. 21) Look at your lifestyle and alter what isn’t working for you. A happy home environment will ease stress and encourage better relationships.

Calvin and Hobbes

Walk away from anyone CAPRICORN disrupting your life. If you (Dec. 22- make positive changes at Jan. 19) home, it will improve your relationships with helpful, important people. Don’t let the past hurt your future.

Getting together with old AQUARIUS friends will bring back mem(Jan. 20- ories, dreams and a desire to Feb. 19) do the things that bring you the most joy. Love and romance are in the stars.

Don’t let the little things PISCES (Feb. 20- get to you. Stay focused on Mar. 20) the people and projects that are most meaningful to you to find peace of mind and personal satisfaction.