Emancipation Day - Guyana

Did I mention that I was going to Swari in Region 5, Guyana? Well, let me tell you what I've learned. When you're gathering information in Guyana, always, and I mean ALWAYS, try to verify this information in some way.

When I asked about this Swari, I tried to find out from many people what it was all about. I couldn't get a straight answer. Some said it was like Mash (Mashramani), Others said it was the Afro Guyanese celebrations with people dressing up, drums, dancing, etc. I was curious. I went, I saw, I'm back.

First thing I have to tell you is this. On the way BACK from Berbice I passed a banner that had been posted on the side of the road. I didn't get to read all the details as we zoomed past at 80km/hr, but I did catch one word in it... SOIREE.  Oooooookaaaaaaaaaaaay then!!!!  So, NOW I know what they've been talking about all this time. Geez. Why didn't anyone just say so? Of course, with the accent that I'm still trying to understand - and their bastardized spelling of the French word, it has become Swari, and Soiree was far removed from my thoughts. Hmm.

Anyhow, it was a big street party with much music, much food and drink and much fashion. Ohhhh the fashion! Guyanese fashion is like no other. But, I will get into that another day. People were up and down greeting each other, enjoying the music and just having a nice Caribbean time. There were a few police milling around, but there was no fried plantain to be found. A big disappointment for me as I was soooo looking forward to this. I did, however, try Souse. Now, for those of you who don't know what Souse is, I'm going to challenge you to do a little research on your own. This is important as I get the idea of what Souse is, but I can't explain it myself, ESPECIALLY if you don't want it to turn out like the Swari/Soiree mishap from the misinformation I've received on the streets of Guyana. Suffice it to say that the one I tried was made with chicken foot (It can be made with different things starting with the heads of pigs and moving on...). I don't know what it was sitting in, but it was not hot, although I expected it to be a little soup/broth. I refused to try the liquid, but I did taste some of the toes. All I can say is... they were cooked. :) It was ok.

Other than all of this, Berbice remained as I remembered it the first time I went. Filled with cows, horses, donkeys, dogs, goats, sheep? either on the side of the road or trying to cross as cars fly down the road. Did I have a good time in Berbice?

I did, but what I'm really looking forward to is my journey to Regions 7, 8 and 9 in a couple of months. Stay tuned...

Guyana's Emancipation Day

Cuffy is a National Hero in Guyana, brought in the 18th century from Africa to be a slave in Berbice. He is commemorated in a Monument in the Square of the Revolution in Georgetown. He is most well known for his part in the Berbice Slave Rebellion when men and women decided to rebel against the inhumane treatment they were receiving as slaves. They burned buildings and cane fields, but Cuffy is the one who organized them into a fighting force, and once they won, he became Governor of Berbice.


The 1st of August is Emancipation Day in Jamaica, a Civic Holiday (Simcoe Day) in Canada - or at least in Ontario (the first monday), and Emancipation Day in Guyana. In Jamaica, Emancipation Day is close to Independence Day (celebrated on the 6th) and there are usually lots of parades, food, parties and the like. In Toronto it is time for Caribana (the Caribbean Carnival which takes place with hundreds of revellers in costume chipping down the Lake Shore).


In Guyana, we celebrate the British parliament passing the Act of Emancipation approximately 180 years ago. There will be celebrations at the National Park in Georgetown - drumming, prayers, candelit processions, colourful dance and music shows commemorate the end of African slavery nationwide. I'm sure people will also be at the Sea Wall. This year - the 16th year of celebrations will have the theme, “Reclaiming Our Rights through Unified Purpose”.

West Coast Berbice had the first sets of communal villages after the slave rebellion, so many of the Emancipation Day celebrations take place in Berbice, Region 5. So, guess where I'm going on Tuesday night? Guess!!! GUESS!!!!! I'm going to "Swari" in Berbice. Don't know what that is? I will update you on that after I've recovered! J