Phagwah unites all

― Department of Social Cohesion, Culture, Youth and Sport to host event 

DPI, Guyana, Monday, March 18, 2019

As the festival of Phagwah draws near, the Ministry of Presidency Department of Social Cohesion, Culture, Youth and Sport will be hosting a cultural programme at the Umana Yana on March 19.

Technical Officer attached to the Department of Social Cohesion, Pamela Nauth, explained that the festival coincides with the ministry’s focus of bringing people together as part of its mission for social cohesion.

“Every programme that we at the Ministry of Presidency Department of Social Cohesion, Culture, Youth and Sport arrange, we always emphasise the unifying of people and events such as these present an opportunity to highlight this. Tomorrow’s activity is one such because Phagwah is about unity, harmony and respect for each other,” Nauth said.

Attendees at tomorrow’s show will be entertained by chowtal singing, dancing, explanation of the significance of the festival after which it will conclude with the playing of Holi.

According to Nauth while the department is aware there have been various private events such as Phagwah J’ouvert, they are urging persons to respectful of the significance of the day.

Phagwah is s a Hindu spring festival. It is also known as the festival of colours. It celebrates the triumph of good over evil. Hindus traditionally wear white on Phagwah day and throw the red liquid known as abeer on each other to symbolise the blood of the dictatorial King Kiranya who in the Hindu tradition was ordered burnt alive by his son Prince Prahalad because of the suffering which his people endured at the hands of his father. Powder and water are also thrown on celebrants observing the festival.

Neola Damon.

Image: Giovanni Gajie.