More Snippets On Christmas in Guyana


From Guyana Cultural Association of New York, Inc, Newsletter Vol 1, Issue 9
December 15, 2011

THE SALVATION ARMY RED KETTLE AT CHRISTMAS

The Salvation Army, one of the major charitable organizations in Guyana, ringing that Christmas bell. Each year during the Christmas sea- son, they have their “Red Kettle- Giving is Caring”- seeking help in supporting religious organizations, drug and alcohol rehabilitation and an array of other social services. Bands such as the British Guiana Militia Band (now the Guyana Police Force Band) and the Salvation Army Band played a major part in popularizing the music of the Christmas season in Guyana. The Salvation Army Band, perform- ing on the busy streets of Georgetown, brought Christmas cheer and reminded us to make a contribution to the less fortunate.

MEMORIES OF CHRISTMAS PAST IN GUYANA

"I always enjoyed Christ-mas when I was young. It was church at midnight and then back home with our mother and father. When we arrived, there was cake at the table, garlic pork and bread and coffee. Old Year's Night was church again at midnight; after church, we eat black-eye cook up. I really enjoyed the toys we used to get, especially bladders (balloons). I grew up in Plaisance with my parents."

MEMORIES OF CHRISTMAS PAST IN GUYANA

Preparations for Christmas were arduous. Each year, starting around November 15, they used sandpaper to remove the previous year's varnish from their wooden furniture, washed it under the standpipe in the yard, dried it and varnished it again; cob- webbed the house, cleared out under the bed and packed it back. All the old wallpaper had to be scraped off the walls and a pot of thin starch boiled to put on the new wallpaper. This went on in every home; people who could not afford wallpaper covered their walls with newspaper. On the newly papered walls, framed pic- tures would be hung. These were pic- tures of film stars like Shirley Temple and Veronica Lake, or of vases of flowers cut from magazines.

MEMORIES OF CHRISTMAS PAST IN GUYANA

The Guyanese Christmas season extends beyond Christmas Day. There is Boxing Day, Old Year's Night, and Twelfth Night, each with its own special music. The Boxing Day picnic demands 'jump-up' music. The Boxing Day fetes were held at a range of dance halls. - Frolic Hall, Garland Hall, Haley Hall, Prospect Hall, Rest Hall, and Tipperary Hall. Attendees wore their "best outfits and tried to outdo one another in the vari- ous dances - foxtrot, flat waltz, square dance and tango." Old Year's Night required a range of music and the obligatory Auld Lang Syne. Harry Whittaker's rendition is obligatory in some Old Year's Night parties in the Guyanese diaspora.

MEMORIES OF CHRISTMAS PAST IN GUYANA

The sounds of hammering and tapping went on throughout the day and evening as they “put away” the house. The door and windows would be tightly shut as no one wanted their neighbours to see their curtains before Christmas morning.

Sardine tins which had been washed out and stored over a few months would be filled with paddy and water so that by Christmas Eve, they would become rice plants.

On Christmas morning, everyone opened their windows and the women would be peeping, fingers crossed, to make sure none of the neighbours had curtains like theirs. If they did, the entire day was spoilt.

On the table was a new oilcloth patterned with grapes and apples.

MEMORIES OF CHRISTMAS PAST IN GUYANA

In every Guyanese home, you had to wax the floor after carefully staining the old purple-heart with a rosewood dye that left your hands almost blood- red.

Applying the polish and then shining the floor was the big deal. Firstly, the wax had to be applied by hand with a bit of soft cloth. It was left for a while, with no one walking on it of course, then came the shining part.

The contraption used to do this was an oblong pad topped by a layer of lead to make the thing heavy. A long pole was attached to the top of this, so the pad could swivel from side to side, as the one manipulating the polisher stood one place, swinging the thing, and the result was a shining surface in which one could almost see one’s face.

How I Remember Christmas

I remember Christmas was
The season when Santa came
But somehow today it’s different
The spirit is not the same

As soon as school was closed
There was excitement in the air
You heard the carols playing
And knew the time was near

The streets were getting busy
With people shopping around
And masquerades were flouncing
All about the town

You sensed that festive thrill
With your home in disarray
Being cleaned from top to bottom
To sparkle on Christmas day

I loved those special smells
Of new linoleum on the floor
And fresh paint and varnish
And new curtains from the store

You felt the Christmas weather
And somehow you could tell
When those dull and drizzly days
Gave off that Christmas smell

But you would only know for sure
That Christmas was almost there
When the garlic pork was made
And the sorrel and ginger beer

And the house was full of flavours
When mom began to bake
That juicy clove spiced ham
And lots of good black cake

And finally on Christmas Eve
When the Christmas tree was light
Our home transformed itself
Into such a magical sight
With small change in my pocket		 ................. And my cap guns in my hand
I strolled along Camp Street
Eating nuts and apples and
“Carbon tins” are firing
And guns are popping loud
And last minute shoppers
Are hustling among the crowd

Carol singers are singing
And people are having fun
And I am sad but tired
When the night is almost done

But the greatest thrill of all
That final mystical event
When I hung my pillow case
And off to sleep I went

And early on Christmas morning
The first thing I rushed to see
Were all those wonderful toys
That Santa had brought for me

Then pepper pot and pickled onions
Walnuts and Quality Street
With that sumptuous
Christmas dinner

We all sat down to eat
I always remember Christmas day
How special it was for me
My world was filled with joy
And peace and harmony

I know these special memories
Will remain for some years yet
That’s how I remember Christmas
And I just cannot forget.





Unknown
Guyanese Online

One of the hall marks of a Guyanese Christ mas is the range of music that makes up the sound track for that season. A few days ago, the iconic Guyanese Christmas song Happy Holiday made its pres ence felt on FaceBook. The opening bars of the music and Billy Moore’s first words, “Church Bells are ringing/Santa Claus is on his way/Happy Christmas to you dear/Happy Holiday,” immediately trans port us to our dear land of Guyana and the generosity of a true, true Guyanese Christmas season. Happy Holiday was produced and recorded more than 50 years ago in Guyana by Al Seals. In addi- tion to being the quintessential Guyanese Christmas song Happy Holiday is testimo- ny to how excellence in creativity stands the test of time and can create an icon that unites a people whenever it is heard. Another important part of the sound track is masquerade music, which has stood the test of time and is another icon- ic sound of the season. Some of the lyrics associated with this art form speak to the inclusiveness of a Guyanese Christmas—

“Christmas comes but once a year/and even poor Uncle Willie in de jail will have he sour ginger beer and salt fish tail!” It is this spirit of generosity and inclu siveness that calls the Guyanese in diaspora back home with increasing numbers each year. The late Deryck Bernard cap tured this in The Christmas Invasion. In the first verse he notes:

The place does always feel strange
With men “cutting Yankee,”
fat women in shorts
Is de same confusion each year!
Is de annual Christmas invasion of
Guyanese who come home to sport
They drinking you rum as if it can’t done
And stuffing black cake like joke

So, a true Guyanese Christmas con nects the Guyanese family. This year when we celebrate the season, including Old Year’s night when, according to Deryck Bernard, “the ladies does dress up and wine,” let us give thanks for generosi ty, inclusiveness, and family—the hall marks of Guyana’s rich heritage. The members of the Guyana Cultural Associa tion of New York, Inc., thank you for your support during 2011 and look forward to strengthening our relationship with you in 2012 when we celebrate masquer ade—an essential ingredient in a true, true Guyanese Christmas.

THOSE GLORIOUS CHRISTMAS DAYS IN GUYANA

THE SMELL OF MANSION POLISH, VARNISH, FRESH PAINT, THE AROMA OF FRESH BAKED BREAD, GARLIC PORK AND PEPPERPOT
by Edgar Henry

C hristmas was first observed on a reg ular basis in Guyana when the Dutch immigrants made perma- nent settlements. It was celebrated first in Esse quibo about 1616, then in Berbice in 1627, and much later, 1746 in Demerara. The majority of the public holidays in Guyana are religious ones. In Guyana, a nation of six races, almost everyone par ticipates, Christians and non-Christians alike. With this sharing it made our coun try a strong united place to live and visit, thus giving true meaning to our Motto - One People: One Nation: One Destiny, while re-enforcing the 2011 GCA slogan Aal Bady Waan Bady.

We have perhaps forgotten much, but still remember, reflect, reminisce and recall some of those glorious Christmas days in Guyana. I had unforgettable experiences of Christmas in three areas in Guyana. In Georgetown when my dad was headmaster at Broad Street Govern ment School (Dolphin); in New Amster dam when he was transferred to Rosignol Government and in the Beterverwagting / Triumph area at the BV Government school.

Those days leading to Christmas Day were filled with lots of excitement. Churches held services, offices and schools had parties and there was always a group who gathered to lead the partygoers in singing of carols and gifts were exchanged which projected cama raderie. Normally a few nights before Christmas, the older folks would go from house to house and sing carols. Another significant preparation occurred when parents took their children to see "Father Christmas" at department stores in Georgetown. In those days it was Bookers, Fogartys or Bettencourt/Gomes to name a few. Kids will normally get a small gift and photographs would be taken sitting in Santa’s lap.

Steel Band in the streets In the 50s "tramping" behind the steel band of choice was popular at Christ- mastime. The popular bands at the time included Invaders, Tripoli, QuoVadis, Sil vertones and also Starlite in BV under the leadership of yours truly. This prac tice gradually faded away.

Redecorating the home Traditionally, at Christmastime the entire house gets a thorough make over. If it can be afforded, the house was painted, inside out. New or clean curtains, scrub bing of floors, Christmas trees with fairy lights, new furniture or at the very least give old furniture new life by polishing and varnishing, since their appearance had to be of the best on Christmas morning. Much of it was done on Christ mas Eve. Those done earlier are likely to be covered - Put Away - with heavy cloth and unveiled on Christmas day. In Guyana, almost everyone decorated extensively with with an array of fairy lights. According to GT tradition there is no display of decorations until Christ mas Eve.

Delicious, tasty mouth-watering food was always one of the central features. Preparation started well before the day itself. Among the main items were black cakes, pepperpot, garlic pork, stuffed baked chicken or turkey, ham and pick led onions. Additionally, imported ice- apples, grapes, grapes, dates, a variety of cheeses and candy were very welcom ing. There was also an assortment of home-made drinks,depending on the preference and tradition of the house- hold; sweet drinks including ginger beer, sorrel, mauby, sweet potato fly, falernum, shandy, rum and wines,.

Masquerade Masquerade bands, performed and played their special brand of music. This was a common sight on the streets of towns and villages, repre sented by incarnate, fictional charac ters in the likes of Mother Sally, Long Lady, and Mad cow. During the per formances, one or more of the mem bers of the band would approach those being entertained in order to collect money, sometimes food, some times alcohol. The spectators general ly gave them encouragement. In Guyana, it is common to hear the lookers on shouting “Blow, Man, Blow.” If I may pause, today the masquerade bands are not seen as often as before, and efforts are in progress by the Guyana Cultural Association of NY to revive this historic tradition in 2012.

Christmas Day

Some people go to church on Christmas morning. Others would have gone on Christmas Eve. Gifts, previously hidden, were then opened, generally with squeals of delight from the children. Who would forget the famous Lord Kitchener’s rendition of “Drink ah rum pun a Christmas morning?” There was feasting on the Christmas goodies all day long. A lot of visits were exchanged. Overseas telephone calls were made. Radios or recorded music was played loudly. “No Big Thing” was aired. A popular phrase in Guyana that played on the radio at that time:- "Christmas comes but once a year"
"And every man must have his share"
"Only poor Willy in the jail, drink- ing sour ginger beer"

What Made Christmas Unforgettable? Houses were almost new again and among the new things were the Christmas gifts, the lighting, the smell of new garment, wood pol- ish, varnish or fresh paint was in the air. This unique smell was mingled with the aroma from the kitchen, the dining table, the pantry, pepperpot, garlic pork, you name it. The sounds in the air were laughter, music, horns, whistles, carols, bells, popping toy guns, crying dolls and more.

We do our best here in the Diaspora preparing and celebrating the yule- tide season. As we reflect on Christmas in Guyana no matter how we try it is just not the same. As the old folks say, ‘If you have a lemon you make lemonade.’ So let us all with one heart celebrate the Christmas season the best way we possibly can

A Very Merry Christmas
to Aal Bady Waan Bady.

MEMORABLE GUYANESE CHRISTMAS MUSIC “HAPPY HOLIDAY”
Guyana Cultural Association of New York Inc. Newsletter
MEMORABLE GUYANESE CHRISTMAS MUSIC
AL SEALES, BILLY MOORE AND MUSIC AT CHRISTMAS

Excerpt from an article by Dr. Vibert Cambridge, GuyFolk 2004

A confident bass, a wailing saxophone, and a sensitive piano introduce “Happy Holiday.” When that quintessen- tial Christmas song is heard, Guyanese at home and abroad feel the spirit of the season. What is so special about this song? a recording industry in Guyana. He led Al Seales and the Wash- boards and later established the GEMS and the Caribbean GEMS record labels. Seales’ studio was well respected.

Important Caribbean musicians such as Lord Melody preferred to record their music at the studio at 40 Robb Street. The Mighty Spar- row’s first recording was also done there. Seales assembled a powerful studio band, The Caribbean All Stars, which included Bassie Thomas (pianist/arranger), Harry Whittaker (Alto sax), Syd ney Prince (Tenor sax), Sabu Lall (bass), Simpson (bass), Messiah (Drums), Charlie Agard (Bongos), Rector Schultz (Guitar). He and his arranger Bassie Thomas exper imented with a beat that reflect ed the intermingling of Guyana’s West Indian and Latin American heritage—the “Bion.” It was in this environment that Lord Melody (Fitzroy Alexander) approached Seales with the lyrics for “Happy Holiday.” He wanted to produce a seasonal calypso to compete with Lord Kitchener’s “Drink a Rum,” which was the dominant Christmas calypso among West Indians at home and abroad. He was advised against going the calypso route but encouraged to use the “Bion” beat. Further, it was agreed that the Four Lords, which included Neville Rose and Billy Moore, would record the song. Rose was the lead singer and Billy Moore arranged the harmonies. Lord Melody’s is the voice of the famous spoken solo: “My darling, wishing you the best. You know that my love for you did last and will last for many more Christ- mases.”

The technology available to Al Seals in 1956 did not allow him to record multiple tracks and then mix a final product. He used one microphone—one of the best available at that time—an RCA Noiman. The recording required a complete performance by the musicians and the singers. This required coordination and professionalism. The recording has stood the test of time. Now 50 years later, “Happy Holiday” remains not only one of the most popular Christmas songs in Guyana but also one of the best recorded pieces of music from Guyana .

Church bells are ringing
Santa’s Clause’s on his way
Happy Christmas to you dear
Happy Holiday..
My heart keeps pounding
As the time rolls away
Happy Christmas to you dear
Happy Holidays.

And then the choir
You can hear the voices
of the angels rejoice, rejoice
My heart keeps pounding
As the time rolls away
Happy Christmas to you dear
Happy Holiday.

My darling
Wishing you the best
You know that my love for
you did last,and will last
for many more Christmases .