The Independence History of Guyana may not be as storybook colourful and gory as the independence struggles of other countries, but it is nonetheless as intriguing and glorious as others. Therefore it is of utmost importance that we are reminded of that struggle lest we forget it was another significant step in the country’s development. One part of that development was the establishment of a National Library through Act 4 of 1972; and by extension, branches and centres of the National Library. Today there are many reasons to justify that Act 4 of 1972. One example will suffice for now:
On Saturday May 24, 2014, the Ruimveldt Branch of the National Library staged a mini-concert to mark Guyana’s 48th Independence Anniversary with a freshness and innocence reminiscent of the penny concert of bygone days, filled with clean fun and entertainment for the whole family.
The programme was well orchestrated, with an extended skit forming the foundation and backdrop of the concert. The skit depicted the country’s pre- and post-independence history. That history was teased out during classroom dynamics with all its concomitant hilarity and rigidity. To add interest to dry history lessons, the skit was divided into episodes. Each episode was punctuated with folksongs performed by staff members, and members of the library. Of importance, most of the acts were performed by the mini-sized members of the community – children, another reason for labelling the affair ‘mini’.
The printed programme gives a true picture of the scope and magnitude of the mini concert.
National Anthem All
Prayers
Welcome M. Thompson
Poem B. Narain & S. Phillips
Folk songs* Children & Staff Choir
Skit – Reflection (Guyana as a Colony)
Poem S. Moore
Dance Children
Folk Songs* Children & Staff Choir
Skit – Reflection (The Struggle for Independence)
Modelling Culture Dress
Skit – Reflection (The Story of Independence)
Folk Songs* Children
Dance Hepziba Headley
Folk Songs Staff
The Folksongs performed in voice and dance, included ‘Cuma-Cuma Fish’, ‘Lillie gal, Lillie gal’, ‘See me little brown boy’, ‘Ting a Ling Ling’, ‘Rick Chick, Chick, Chick,’ ‘Yallah Girl’, ‘Manin Neighba’, ‘Bamboo fire’, ‘Itanami’, ‘Sancho’, ‘Sitira’, ‘Me gat wan coal pot in meh belly’, and ‘Dis time nah lang time’. Those familiar songs lent themselves to various interpretations and arrangements, therefore the appropriate antics of the children brought life and new dimensions to them.
The Ruimveldt Branch Library was established to meet the need of the community, removing the need for patrons to travel to the city. This was the first urban branch in Georgetown. And on Saturday May 24, 2014, the Ruimveldt Branch gave another reason to justify the establishment of such an outlet.
‘On July 28, 1975, the Town Clerk, E. L. Mayers, disclosed to the City Council that Government had allocated a substantial amount of funds for the expansion of the National Library facilities. Included in the plan was a branch outlet in Festival City. On September 29, 1975, the Ruimveldt Branch Library was declared open by Minister of Information and Culture, Mrs Shirley Field-Ridley’. (The National Library Centenary Magazine)
The National Library (formerly the Public Free Library) was opened to the public in September 1909, offering lending, reference and reading room services. The mandate of the National Library is ‘to satisfy both nationally and internationally, the informational and recreational needs of the library’s users through the collection, organisation, dissemination and preservation of information in printed and other formats’.
That mini-concert had all the makings of a national celebration to mark such an occasion. In fact, the opening set was intriguing: a female student entered the classroom with, ‘I hope this is no long boring lecture on history’, hinting at the surprises to come.
That mini concert was concise, entertaining and educational. It was refreshing to witness babes painting a pretty picture of our Independence.
That concert, through the performance of our folk songs, and by the retelling of our independence story, was in a small but significant way contributing to our literature, the sharing of which will obviously have a domino effect on the community.
Responses to this author telephone (592) 226-0065 or email: oraltradition2002@yahoo.com
What’s Happening:
• Dates for repeat performances of ‘Expressions’ – a new forum for poetry -will be announced later.