Guyanese Religious Festivals

By Jean MacInnis
April 2000

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With so many religions in a world that gets smaller by virtue of ever faster travel and communication, the impact of various faiths is felt worldwide. In many countries, owing to immigration and population movement, people of different religions share the same neighbourhood. Therefore, understanding one another’s faith traditions can lead to more meaningful communication and conversation between people of different faiths. Thus, my husband John and I find ourselves sharing and learning with the Guyanese in our home, our neighbourhood, our church, our school and our community.

While the original inhabitants of Guyana were Amerindians, the 18th and 19th century saw many people from West Africa brought over as slaves to provide labour for the cotton and sugar plantations. When slavery was abolished in 1834 the people refused to continue working for their former masters, even for wages. They left the plantations and established their own communities.

Without slave labour, immigrants were brought into the country to work; people from Europe (Germany, Malta and Portugal), then from China, and eventually in large numbers from India. Today Guyana’s population reflects its immigrant history with Africans, East Indians, Chinese, Portuguese, Germans, Amerindians, and a fascinating mix of all these races, living side by side, sharing traditions and beliefs.

Festivals celebrated in Guyana give one a chance to observe the religious, social and ethnic variety of Guyanese society. The religious festivals of Eid-ul-Azah, Youmum Naabi, Phagwah, Diwali, Easter, and Christmas, are celebrated as national holidays. These and other festivals, less well-known, form a vital part of the cultural heritage.

Eid-ul-Azah

The ceremony of Eid-ul-Azah begins with a prayer service in the masjid (mosque), followed by a sermon by the imam (religious leader). After that comes the sacrifice of animals. A portion of this meat is always set aside for distribution to the poor and needy in the community.

An Afro-Guyanese street person named Wongie was given a choice four-pound rump roast by a Muslim Indo-Guyanese family on this holiday evening. I was at choir practice when my friend Wongie found me and presented me with the slab of meat, still dripping blood. “Cook it,” he said, “We need to eat!” I was the one with the oven. Fait accompli.

Youmum Naabi

Like Eid-ul-Azah, Youmum Naabi is a Muslim festival commemorating the birthday of the Holy Prophet Mohammed. Muslims in Guyana celebrate this day with great piety. There are special services in the masjids with readings and teachings about the prophet and the virtuous way he lived his life.

Each evening we hear the voices of the muezzins, the Muslim criers who call from the minaret or other high part of the mosque, summoning the faithful to the salat or ritual prayer. Often, John and I have been invited to share traditional foods in the homes of our Muslim friends celebrating the birth of a child, the boons and blessings of life, and thanksgiving days. Muslims celebrate their birthdays by sharing food with the less fortunate.

Diwali

Diwali is of Hindu origin. It was brought to Guyana in 1853 by the first indentured people of India. Formerly it was celebrated only by the Hindu community, but in 1966 when Guyana gained her independence, Diwali became a national holiday. Diwali means “a garland of lights.” It is a festival of joy and gaiety.

In Guyana people exchange greeting cards, and distribute sweetmeats such as mithai, paera, barfi and keer. They wear new clothes and clean their homes. Millions of small clay bowls, called deyas, are filled with oil into which a wick is inserted. Deyas are used to illuminate temples, houses, and all surroundings, creating a splendid and dramatic vista of light.

Guyanese spend the evening of Diwali walking about the neighbourhood admiring the spectacle of lights. Hindu hospitality abounds.

Phagwah

Phagwah, another Hindu feast, is the triumph of good over evil. Many families will do puja (ritualistic worship) and sing bajans (hymns) in their homes or at the temple. There are special forms of music associated with Phagwah. In the temples, homes or on street corners, groups of people, mostly men and boys, gather to sing songs. The instruments used are the dholak (drum) and jhaals (little cymbals). On the day of the festival, sweetmeats are shared to mark the occasion.

The two weeks before this festival, I noticed in the market stalls that many were selling what seemed to be small packets of brightly coloured poster/powder paint. I mentioned to the stall owner how happy I was to see powder paint as school supplies are usually very scarce and the students love to paint. She started to giggle and explained that soon the paints, hidden in pockets or in bottles, would be brought out by the children to smear or squirt on one another. With a smile she warned me to wear old clothes on that holiday because the children will be looking for me to “paint me up.” These colours represent love, peace and goodwill to all.

Easter and Christmas

Marking the resurrection of the Lord, Easter is for Christians the most sacred festival of the year. Good Friday, the day of the crucifixion of Christ, is marked by dramatization of the passion and veneration of the cross. Easter Monday is family day and is renowned in Guyana for kite-flying.

Christmas, the season celebrating the birth of Jesus, is celebrated throughout Guyana and like Easter, its observances are shared to some extent by all ethnic groups. Certain domestic preparations, such as setting fruit for the Christmas cake, are begun in November. Many preparations such as ‘breaking up house’ or ‘cobwebbing’ are begun in early December. At this time, carpets are taken up for cleaning or replacement, furniture is varnished, curtains are dismantled to be laundered or replaced, floors are polished.

The final days before Christmas sees the preparation of the national dish, pepperpot, made with cow heel and derived from Amerindian tradition. Another Christmas dish is garlic pork, from the Portuguese.

Advent in the Catholic community includes a novena (nine days of prayer), beginning each day with Mass at dawn and concluding with Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve.

The call to religious openness is basic if we are to live peaceably and in harmony with all peoples here in Guyana. John and I, indeed all Guyanese, have many opportunities for interfaith understanding and dialogue.

Mahatma Gandhi said: “I open my doors and windows allowing all cultures and religions to blow about freely, but I refuse to be swept off my feet.” We are learning to develop a deep respect for the variety of ways in which others experience the Divine, realizing that people’s basic religious view results from culture and heritage. At the same time we are strengthening our commitment to our own faith.

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