Pukney, hot sada roti and ‘nuff’ music
Dharmic Sabha sets out to re-create history


THE lure of the golden city and the promise of a better life for their loved ones back home brought the first set of East Indian immigrants to these shores 170 years ago.

In tribute to our ancestors

Sadly, those dreams were to be dashed as when they arrived here, they were greeted by a territory that was somewhat familiar but a system that was anything but glorious.


As time went by, however, the number of those who came gradually increased, and while they were given the option of returning to the Motherland, many chose to remain and call this land home.
But what was their life like back then? And what, prey tell, did they wear on their backs? What foods did they eat, and indeed, how did they prepare it? How did they work? How did they spend their spare time? What did their homes look like?

The Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, in a bold move, has attempted to answer those burning questions that may have often plagued us from time to time by recreating that part of our history. Today, for the second day running, Guyanese are being given the chance to step back in time literally and envelop themselves in sobering reflection and celebration of the evolution of local Indian culture. The venue is the Guyana National Stadium at Providence, on the lower East Bank.


“Maybe our young ones today wouldn’t pick up a history book and read of what our ancestors went through, but they can come and experience it,” says Vindhya Persaud, a member of the Sabha.

“Many of us today are unfamiliar with some of the words that are used to describe implements of work and cooking,” adds her sister, Simantani.


The two sisters are, in a sense, the driving force behind the initiative, which includes building a typical indentureship village. “It’s about bringing history to life,” says Vindhya, as she bubbles with enthusiasm as she talks of the ‘logies’ or mud houses that have been sprawled on the car park of the stadium.
What you will find are ladies serving up hot ‘sada roti’ and ‘choka’ from a fireside that they keep going with a ‘puckney’. You will find on the heads of the women, a ‘rumal’. If you don’t know what they called the utensils, here is your chance to find out, and we bet you will find some of the names amusing.



You will also find young children running around in wild abandon, and if you’re up to it, you can take a ride on a bull-cart. You will find men and women working on rice and cane cultivations, in a depiction of the back-breaking labour that was employed.


Inside the stadium, tonight is the final night for a blazing entertainment programme that traces Indian songs and dances from when the Indians first came to what prevails today.

“This has never been done before. This is a new venture for us, and we’re very excited about it,” says Vindhya.

Already, there is talk about making the event an annual and a major part of the national tourism calendar.

 

Sunday, May 04, 2008