Masquerade Jamboree – keeping the tradition alive
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DPI, Guyana, Thursday, February 21, 2019
Just a day away from one of the most colourful festivals celebrated in Guyana – Mashramani, eight masquerade bands took to the streets of Georgetown on Thursday evening.
Many onlookers could not help but pull out their phones to record this spectacular sight, as the bands dressed in the colours of the Golden Arrowhead bounced, flounced and stepped along Main Street down to the Avenue of the Republic before taking their final bow in the Stabroek Square.
Speaking with Department of Public Information, Convenor Linda Griffith of the National School of Dance explained that this Masquerade Jamboree seeks to reignite an appreciation and participation in the masquerade art form.
“This will also give the masqueraders the chance to show themselves to the public, Georgetown has not seen masquerade groups like this for years. Most of the competitions has always been held out of town in the other villages and so it is important to show the people of Georgetown what they have been missing out for some time now,” Griffith said. She also expressed the hope that persons along the route not only stop to watch the spectacle but also to get involved in this part of Guyana’s cultural traditions.
According to the Griffith, of the eight bands participating two hailed from Region 2, one from Region 4 and the remainder from Region 10.
With the reputation of being the best rhythmic street dancers, the bands performed most of the steps required for a complete and cohesive masquerade which included: The Flounce, expertly delivered by children as young as five and seven years old. Other steps included: Lady going to Market; Side to Side; Breast Plate; Shovel; Chucku-Chucku, Circle, Elleo Toto and Style off – the art form which demonstrates how the money collector (dancing all the while) picks up tips or donations of cash which would have fallen onto the ground.
Also, all the bands had the necessary accompanying characters of Bam-Bam Sally; Mad Cow; Long Lady and the Stilt Men, and providing the musical accompaniment, the drummers, and flautist.
Neola Damon.
Images: Marceano Narine.