Pepperpot 01 17 2016

â–ş Page XVI

The gold and diamond fields of Guyana caused Herman Paul to leave his native St Lucia. He arrived in Guyana on the very day independence, May 26, 1966. He told the Chronicle’s Alva Solomon why he stayed all these years. The story is on the centre pages.

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Chronicle Pepperpot January 17, 2016

Free As a Bird.

Part 1 of a short Story

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his fictional narrative is inspired by an experience an itinerant pork-knocker once shared with me when he stopped by Yukuriba Heights ...ah shoulda know better dan to leh mihself get carry-away wid a lotta pork-knocker gyaff an start-wuk goal again – jus when ah tink ah did getova d feva. Ah shoulda stick to mih plan…ah woulda neva end up heah today – Dat mawnin I wake up lill earlier dan usual to finish mekkin some crab-oil to sell dem town-people who caan-tek insect-bite – like cabowra…johnny-smart and maibuli – when dey come in dis bush. Dem bannas all ways pleadin poverty…complainin dat-ow d oil too expensive – yet dey buying it still – cause dem know very well dat even at me price… is still a bargain. Dey know in-a GT crabwood-oil like good goal and rightly so…cause God only know is how much trouble fuh mek it – Yuh does have to walk d bush – crabwood seed does droppin mostly arung March/April-month jus before d rainy season. When I collec dem rice-bag full, ah does ave fuh drogue dat load miles tru d raw bush (2,3, trips sometimes); den ah got to leff it to rot in a cool-place fuh weeks atatime before ah could squeeze-out d oil in a matopee. If ah decide to knead it and leff it fuh sun-dry? ah gotta steady-keeping-watch...cause if just one-drizzle-a-rain ketch it? d fat will clod-up and not-a-dropa-oil gon run-out – no matter wat I do…. is wuk …is hard hard work like duh.

DEN WAT? Dem-duh gon come from GT telling me – WUH? MY CRAB-OIL TOO WHO? X-PEN-SIVE?

…was a mawnin like duh in d low-wata dry-season. Laytuh, when d mist clear...d sun gon come beamin down pon dem big, big boulder an small-small rock like family in bed hugging up one another pon d sheet-rock in d riva-bed; is dese rocks-dem d wata does deh rompin wit in d high-wata season...warnin I-man in-a dem times – doan tek God out mih tauts fuh come walk here now....is ‘Mother Nature’ ....’God’s work’; is Olodumare sendin d rain dat causing d rapids in d waterfall – Is JAH!

…ponamawnin like dis? when I liff my eyes to d mountain-top cover-over wit foress? ah does caan help wonderin bout all dem who pass here before me; aaalll dem maroon ancestors hundreads a years ago – dem who had to keep gettin up from d licks pon d plantation just like d “licks in d police van” in-a dese times in d city GT...can jus imagine dem – jus come outa de bottom a d stinking slave ship chain-up an pack like sardine den into d handsa-massa...was me I woulda keep getting up too...head d fuh bush... tun maroon. Is dem same ones does be whisperin to me in d wind tru d trees an in d breeze pon d watafall; ah could hear dem dis mawning, jus pssssst... pssssst ...pssssstsin in mih ears like d natral mystic callin out to me – and yuh know wuh? ah does ansa dem – an wen ah ansa? yuh won believe wuh ah does hear sometimes walkin alone in dis place rite heah – rite heah in dis Me, freeing a freshly caught fish from the seine set out overnight in the Essequibo River bush in d womb-uh-d-mudda-land in d belly o d Essequibo –

Steeeeups! All I gotta seh is wuh Eric Williams did say bout Trinidad oil wen e get vex – ah fuhget wuh was d story, but Eric Williams seh: “TRINIDAD GOT OIL AND OIL DON’T SPOIL.”

So – wuh eva um is – um is duh! Four-bill-a-bottle…tek-it-or-leff it! If my oil doan sell ah gon bathe in it. Ah will just bathe in crab-oil, das-all.

Dat fo-day-mawnin before bird wife wake, ah seh to mihself…is time to check dem seeds leff rottin in a corn-bag in a mora-root by d creek. Buh before duh ah gotta guh down by d river (as usual) to sarch mih seine….was one a dem early-mornin-in-d-bush when ev-ry ting cover in dew-an-mist; wit a soft, fresh drizzle rinsin d air and sprinklin dem shimmerin lill diamond drops pon d leaves – yuhknowuhamean?...is like d day ‘indications’ sehing it gon lash-out wit sun just like when yuh seeing specks a gold glittering in d black-sand in d test-bat-ell timble (yuh-sight?); yuh does just know – D-SURE...DIS MEAN LASH-OUT!

But dat is an-udder story...rite now ahm not dere – ah tellin you dis story jus like it hap-on; is so-come I end-up here far away from dere...

Dat fore-day-mawnin ‘Moon run till day ketch um’ – so when I troddin wid mih cutlass, a sharp-knife and a bowl, to reach d spot wheyside ah leff mih boat – not far from whey ah set d seine late yest-day afta-noon – it still got some leff-ova moonlight brightin-up d place. Long before ah reach ah know some -ting ketch in d seine cause d seine-rope steady duckin-duckin in d wata…. didn have to worry wid paddle, ah jus siddown in d boat, hole-on pon d seine-cord an lift an pull till ah reach d spot an is a tear-tail himorrah strugglin in d net – ► Continued on page VIII

Chronicle Pepperpot January 17, 2016

Moments not to forget

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III

Godfrey Wray

ipping at a giant glass of vodka and coconut water, I casually looked and eat biscuits at 4 o’clock when my palette was desperately calling for mauby and around at the crème de la crème of Guyana’s media society: the young bakes. The former President invited me to take a ride on the tallest horse I have ever hot shots; the wannabes; the faithful; and some just floating around seen and I did not want him to know that the “young man from South America” had with note- pads and pencils. never ridden a horse. Half-an-hour later I was walking as if I had bowed legs.

President David Granger was hosting his first Press Breakfast since In 2001 I was working for the Carib News in New York. I was assigned to cover a becoming leader of the nation and the event rated top billing. Most of the Ministers major event sponsored by the National Basketball Association (NBA). Nobody told me were present and there were no constraints to those that Earl “The Pearl’ Monroe” would be there, so when looking for exclusives.

I discovered this fact, I unashamedly attached myself to Amidst his address I heard him mention my name. his side, conveniently forgetting that one of the cardinal He was exhorting those who really wanted to embrace rules of the media profession was for the practitioner to the media province to work harder and avail themselves be behind the camera and not in front. of the opportunities he was going to provide. He was I begged myself for a time-out. After all, the rereminiscing about his early days after leaving Queen’s tired professional (now 71 years old) who played for College working as a newspaper reporter under the the Baltimore Bullets and the New York Knicks had tutelage of the late editor Carl Blackman and alongside been voted one of the “50 Greatest Players in NBA a coevally- aged St. Stanislaus College cub reporter, history.” I reminded him of some of his statistics over Godfrey Wray. a distinguished 13-year career and he marvelled at I listened but I surely didn’t hear all of the rest of my recollection. (A photograph with him was my his speech. To have worked in the same newsroom as a reward). future President was awesome. To hear my name in the Guyana’s Colin Croft has the distinction of having same sentence with the indefatigable Carl Blackman the second best bowling figures in an innings by a West was ecstasy itself.

Indian (8 for 29). Only Jack Noreiga (9 for 95) has The President made enormous strides in the media bettered that. On his 60th birthday (March 15, 2013) arena then he moved onto the military platform. He benCroft paid tribute to two persons whom he said were efited from a prestigious Hubert Humphrey scholarship. responsible for him going to Warwickshire Cricket Club I got a US State Department Fellowship in 1972. in England on a three-month training course, thus ushThe opportunities were there in our time but then ering in his incredible international career. He said the the list was long for the final pick. My friend Kester two were “legend Lance Gibbs and Guyana Chronicle’s Alves (now deceased) and Bert Wilkinson were among Godfrey Wray.” You have to be made of stone not to the last recipients. feel a sense of pride.

Thank you, Mister President. From 17 to 70, you’ve Sir Frank Worrell, the renowned gentleman crickearned your military and journalistic stripes and after eter, who became the first black man to lead the West my overseas sojourn, I am back where some say I beIndies; Sir Clyde Walcott, master blaster of the early long. days; American Sugar Ray Robinson, one of the greatest I left State House floating on a raft of contentment, middleweights in boxing history - I shook hands with head in a euphoric cloud. Back at the Chronicle, I closed all of them at the once famous Albouystown YMCA, my door, put my feet on the desk and the President’s now a decrepit building minus stairway. It was a double voice echoed in my head. whammy for me in those days – an active club member Forty minutes later I was still in that reflective poand a busy all-round reporter. I got many opportunities sition remembering 1983 when President Forbes Burnto uplift myself. I think I seized them all.

With Earl “The Pearl’ Monroe” ham sent four journalists to the Democratic People’s But how could I forget sitting on the players’ bench Republic of Korea, commonly referred to as North Korea. with members of the Chicago Bulls basketball team and The institutional leader Kim Il-Sung was there at a special function and he spoke direct- another time interviewing the victorious Oakland Raiders football manager who almost ly with Adam Harris, Wesley Kirton, Prince Mason and Godfrey Wray. We even sang drowned me in champagne. a song in the Korean language though we had to keep our distance (no handshakes).

I was soaring.

The founder leader was revered like a god in life…and after it.

Then an insistent rap jerked me out of my reverie. Before I could answer, the door My reminiscence took me soaring to the Texas ranch of the 36th President of the swung open. A coarse voice said: “Mr. Wray, I heard the President call your name. I United States, Lyndon B. Johnson. Following the assassination of President John F. didn’t know you so bad.”

Kennedy (November 23, 1963), LBJ as he was commonly called, assumed the presiI sighed. I wondered if he had really heard and understood what the President dency and left office on January 19, 1969. was saying about abounding opportunities. Even he could mature and be “so I was in awe most of the time I spent with him and I had to force myself to drink tea bad” too.

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Chronicle Pepperpot January 17, 2016

New year’s and old songs

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o, I did not grow up “stupidy” under the Union Jack. But I did acquire and have lived with many misconceptions in my formative years. Those misconceptions I called beliefs (due to a limited vocabulary) because I believed particular bits of information to be facts. And to sort of give validation to those beliefs was the awareness that they were shared by my contemporaries of that era. Those beliefs stayed with me until a little bit more information and growing pains (days of the wild cane, kneeling on paddy, standing on bench with dunce cap on) brought elucidation.

For instance, I was under the impression that the only literature was English Literature. That changed early in my life when libraries and bookstores became a significant part of my education. There was a library at the primary school and also at the secondary school I attended so I was into books very early in life. Then from touring billboards of cinemas after weekly visits to the National Library, I came into contact with Michael Ford Bookstore and my first set of non-English literature. I became familiar with Russian and Chinese writings. And what an amazing encounter it was – powerful writing, excellent storytelling. At the moment I am rereading selected stories from ‘Great Soviet Short Stories.” Here is the opening paragraph of its introduction: “Consciousness of our own vitality is the one yardstick we press against our literature…insisting that reality be the final measure both of it and of us. The more we are aware of the energy moving in us, the more we require our literature to present an understanding of it; the more nearly our literature is, the more nearly we understand ourselves.”

In another instance, I was under the impression that the greatest boxer, Mohamed Ali, was a Guyanese. Everybody was talking about him like he was a son of the soil. Grownups and children were engaged in “fly like a butterfly and sting like a bee” and “rope a dope,” etc.

Another belief was that all toothpaste was Colgate; that was the only brand we had and used for a long, long time and still use in 2016. So all toothpaste were Colgate until new brands came into our consciousness and fancy.

Soap was Palmolive or Lifebouy. All alcohol was rum – gin was rum to me, and so was vodka, and brandy, etc. Whiskey was a cowboy (in Western movies) rum; this was so for a long, long time until I tasted the difference, some of which I liked straight or on the rocks.

Another quick example was green tea – Red Rose green tea was all we used (when it was not bush tea) for a long, long time. So all tea was green tea.

For a long, long time the first meal of the day for us was called “tea” made up generally of tea to wash down bread, biscuit or roti. Breakfast was the midday meal, which is lunch as we know it now. And dinner was the final meal of the day, sometimes called tea.

Even some songs I believed to be Guyanese like “Suhani Raat” and “January girls.”

Fast forward to January 2016 when I am singing along to “January girls” and “Calendar girl” stopping in midstride…to go online to “check them out.”.

Calendar Girl by Neil Sedaka 1961 I love, I love, I love my calendar girl Yeah, sweet calendar girl I love, I love, I love my calendar girl Each and every day of the year (January) You start the year off fine (February) You're my little valentine (March) I'm gonna march you down the aisle (April) You're the Easter Bunny when you smile...

(May) Maybe if I ask your dad and mom (June) They'll let me take you to the Junior Prom (July) Like a firecracker all aglow (August) When you're on the beach you steal the show...

(September) Light the candles at your Sweet Sixteen (October) Romeo and Juliet on Halloween (November) I'll give thanks that you belong to me (December) You're the present 'neath my Christmas tree...

January Girls by Lord Kitchener 1956 January girls I think are the best January girls are better than the rest...

February girls are very hard to please And like to have their men bowing to their knees And as the March winds blow the girls are just the same They drink you like a fish and give eight false names...

August September and October, it will be Virgo, Scorpio and Libra, Well the girls that were born under these three signs, They like they like the English weather fortune change their minds, Especially those born under Scorpio, They just tell you yes and then they change to no,...

Well November and December don't trust their sight, They like angels in the day and devils at night..., Another January song is “Auld lang sine” – the song nobody knows.

That song remained a Guyanese song until I discovered Robert Burns visited Guyana in the novel “Illustrious Exile” written by Andrew O. Lindsay, enhancing the mystique of the song.

Those three songs have seeped into the Guyanese psyche and into our literature so much so that they may pass as Guyanese creations like some of my beliefs or impressions in my opening statement.

What’s Happening “An Introduction to Guyanese Literature” by Petamber Persaud available at Austin’s Bookstore and from the National Library.

(Responses to this author telephone (592) 226-0065 or email: oraltradition2002@yahoo.com)

Chronicle Pepperpot January 17, 2016

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Professional Art Practices:

Why you should write more D

By Dominique Hunter

ay 17 of the New Year and I am determined to keep it real with myself. I am not a writer or columnist or any other literary title you might be tempted to bestow upon me.

This has always been my disclaimer after initial introductions and before the usual chitchat about “work.” If someone is particularly insistent about understanding the scope of work that I produce, my response is usually a variant of Stanley Greaves’ famous words, “I am a maker of things.” I make art objects that flow between two and three dimensionality, with a foundation grounded in critical issues regarding the (mis/non) representation of the female body.

And now, at the end of a usually productive week in the studio, I spend a day (or three) agonizing over an art-related article that I hope would engage my readers.

The truth is you would be hard-pressed to find an artist who enjoys laboring over finding the right words as opposed to the right images. It’s challenging enough trying to wrestle with the physical manifestation of ideas without the additional pressure of having to extrapolate the “hows” and “whys” of the furthest areas of ourselves. For the average artist there is no fun to be had in chipping away the blocks that inhibit text meant to enlighten John Public about the theories behind our work. We exhaust ourselves trying to pluck from our mind ideas that we can nurture to fruition with the hope that something magical will set our soul on fire and inspire a larger body of work. And unfortunately, at the end of such a rigorous exercise, writing does not rank very high on our list of priorities. Instead we reward ourselves with Triskits Vanilla Cookies, a glass of milk, our daily Bco supplement and a few hours sleep. The next morning most of us are obligated to sign in at a job that we’d be lucky is even remotely related to art. But it is that very obligation that allows us the opportunity to continue practicing our craft.

Contrary to popular belief, our work does not end after we sign our name at the bottom of a painting or carve it underneath a sculpture. Some would even contend that the “real” work begins long after the production of the artwork has ended. This is the part where we close our eyes, imagine a perfect world and wish our responsibilities away. We have all spent far too much time staring at the blank Word document, hoping the artist statement would write itself and save us the despair. But as our deadlines loom ever closer, we are forced to finally accept the folly of that fantasy. So begins the torturous process of trying to articulate the sincerity of our intention as compared to the reality of the outcome.

Our own lack of enthusiasm is precisely why this process of writing

about our work never seems to get any easier. If we resolve to cultivate the habit of scribbling something daily then we will eventually eliminate most of the stress we’ve come to associate with writing. A college lecturer of mine once asked my year to think of writing as a muscle. The more you use it the easier (and less embarrassing) it becomes to flex. Now I’m not saying that this would be a breeze but it will certainly be less hellish if we are consistent in our effort. In my situation, I’m positive that I’ve broken a dozen rules that would enrage literary fundamentalists across the nation. But I’m not here to argue about sentence construction or the right way to write about art. Instead, I think it is necessary that we, as creative individuals, remind ourselves of the value in writing even the shortest or most trivial paragraph on a daily basis.

There is a reason why galleries across the world have dedicated entire rooms to displaying the journals of famous artists. These books are displayed just as prominently as the paintings on walls and the sculptures on plinths.

They chart the trajectory of an artist’s career, documenting every twist and turn along the way. These are the details that otherwise would not be apparent in the reading of the work alone. Fast-forward to the twenty first century and some artists have physical journals that they commit to writing in every day, while others have online blogs and even the “Note” feature in their smartphone. Life in 2016 has made it so much easier to document our thoughts and ideas so why not take advantage of it? There are too many talented artists in Guyana who have restricted their progress simply because they have not embraced writing as legitimately supplemental to the actual production of their artwork.

Consider the fact that as a creative person you will eventually be required to write a statement about your work. And if your work is divided into a number of different series then you will need to write a statement for each new series. In addition to penning these basic requirements, almost every opportunity available to visual artists has a compulsory written component that separates the successful applicants from everyone else. Most serious artists also spend days and weeks writing to apply for funding to support the furtherance of their work (e.g. proposals for grants, scholarships, residencies and workshops).

This can all be quite overwhelming for the individual who has chosen to neglect the literary aspect of visual art. Keep in mind that it will take a lot longer to climb the ladder out of obscurity if you don’t have the necessary text to support your work. And the last thing you want is for your work to be dismissed from any serious discourse simply because you don’t like writing. Learn to love it (or at least like it) and watch your practice flourish.

Dominique Hunter is an independent visual artist who recently graduated from the Barbados Community College with a Bachelor of Fine Art (First Class Honours).

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Chronicle Pepperpot January 17, 2016

You know where to go; now it’s time to get there Hey everyone, Last week I wrote about drug rehabilitation options in Guyana – where to go, how long to stay, cost etc. Now you know where to go, it’s time to know how to get there.

Knowing locations is actually the easy part. Therefore, this week I’m writing about what happens when you have decided to seek treatment and what you will have to overcome.

The first barrier is actually what I believe to be the biggest problem when it comes to addiction in Guyana. You must overcome the stigma that is attached to the word “addict.” Stigma is defined as a mark of disgrace attached to a particular person, a group of people or a situation.

When people think of an addict they tend to visualize a weak person who lacks self-control; one who lives/spends time in dark alleys, looks dirty, frightening and begging on the street.

That description accurately depicts a small percentage of addicts. The truth is – most addicts function in society and many have well paid and respectable jobs, particularly alcoholics.

This stigmatised view causes two hindering beliefs among these people. Firstly, these functioning addicts are in denial about their problem as they do not fall into the picture we paint of addicts. Second, they might recognise and accept their problem but are reluctant and ashamed to seek help because of how our society views addicts. Additionally, stigma contributes to isolation, loss of job and health insurance and broken relationships.

When you overcome stigma, you find the strength needed to seek help.

The second barrier is to find and adapt new coping mechanisms.

There are two reasons for this. The first is when an addict stops taking a drug, they experience withdrawal and it’s very physically painful.

Withdrawal is the most common cause of a relapse because the pain stops immediately after the addict takes even one sip/ hit of their desired drug. Those in recovery must find a way to deal with this.

The second reason is that during recovery, even after withdrawal is complete, there are still numerous issues to deal with. Most people abuse drugs as a coping mechanism- to deal with a previous trauma, a current hardship, familial and relationship issues and so on. When a person becomes sober, those problems still exist, but the way they were once dealt with (drinking/taking drugs) is now gone. This means the person has to find another way to deal with them- and that is not easy.

The third and most difficult challenge during the beginning stages of recovery is self- acceptance and self -love. Without this, recovery will be very difficult and sometimes impossible.

Self- acceptance means you take responsibility and acknowledge who you are and you are okay with that- flaws and all. You have understanding, compassion and forgiveness towards yourself. As I mentioned, you may now be sober and therefore are fully aware of the problems you have. This means, you are likely to develop a negative attitude about yourself. Therefore, self-acceptance and love become the most important barrier to overcome at this stage. When you accept powerlessness over you desired drug, it is a freeing feeling and allows you to accept life on its own terms. It lessens internal anxiety and brings peace of mind.

Most importantly, once you accept and love yourself, you will never again allow yourself to be a victim of stigma.

Taking Action How do we overcome stigma?

Firstly, keep good and supportive people around.

Attend the self-help groups I spoke about last week. Let them help you with the realisation that you are not alone and have the support of many other individuals with the same disease. Education on the issue has also proven effective. I have had many addicts come to me for help without knowledge of what addiction really is and why it’s happening to them.

My explanation of addiction, its causes and the possibility of positive outcomes bring visual relief to my clients.

People who suffer stigma, internalise the hate it carries, which makes self-acceptance that much difficult. It is important for me to mention that we as a society mostly imposes and spreads stigma. To stop/ decrease this, we can simply start by avoiding negative language such as “weak,” “druggie,” and “junkie,” etc. Let’s help these individuals to feel supported rather than judged and hopeless.

How do we build new coping mechanisms?

Firstly, ensure that you attend a medical centre to obtain non-addictive prescription medication to help with the withdrawal as again, it’s the most common cause of relapse.

Second, an addict would have lost interest in activities that he/she once found enjoyable. It’s important to remember what these were and try to incorporate them into your routines again. I always recommend swimming for a person new in recovery as it can be social, fun, good exercise which promotes healthy sleep and appetite and increases vitamin D which lowers the possibility of future mental and physical health problems.

How to develop self-acceptance and love in recovery?

Again, attend self-help groups. I’m sure you can guess that there is a high correlation between stigma and a lack of self-acceptance.

Those who have access to internet should practise mindfulness meditation. This is about accepting who you are at the moment while understanding that change happens slowly (there are videos online showing you how to do this).

Make amends with those who deserve it as addicts tend to lose many important relationships. Set realistic goals for yourself as you are new to recovery. Try not to attend social functions that have alcohol/drugs. Don’t feel you can just “have one.” It’s too soon and you need proper healing time.

Attempt more positive language. For example, “I am craving alcohol today- this is never going to work- I will go and drink.” I have heard this countless times from my clients.

Try and make this into a positive statement such as ‘I am craving alcohol today which is normal, but I have had the strength thus far to not take a drink’. These simple changes can go a long way.

Next week I will go through the same stages, but in relation to depression and anxiety: How to identify if there is a problem, where to go for help and what one needs to overcome.

Please don’t forget to write in!

Say Yes to life and No to drugs! Always

Suicide Prevention Helpline numbers: 223-0001, 223-0009, 623-4444, 600-7896 ****************************** Keep writing in at caitlinvieira@gmail.com or drop it off in the box at Chronicle Head office on Lama Avenue.

Chronicle Pepperpot January 17, 2016

VII

Mother and son killed over cow trespassing

Privy Council affirmed death sentence in ‘56 BEFORE Justice Hughes and a jury in September, 1954 Appellant Karamat who shot and killed Haniff Jhuman and his mother was found guilty and sentenced to death.

By special leave, the Court of Criminal Appeal in the Supreme Court of British Guiana (Bell C.J., Boland and Stoby JJ., February 24, 1955) dismissed the appellant’s appeal from his conviction on a charge of murder before Hughes J. and a Jury at the Criminal Sessions for the County of Demerara (September 16, 1954).

The appellant was indicted with five other persons, all of whom were acquitted, for the murder of Haniff Jhuman, who occupied land which adjoined that on which the appellant and members of his family and other relatives lived and farmed.

There had been frequent disputes between the occupants of the two estates arising out of cattle trespass, and undoubtedly there was much ill feeling between them. There were a series of events and quarrels during September 26, 1953, and the early part of the 27th and after a fight in the morning of the latter day it was alleged by the Crown that the appellant obtained a twelve-bore gun and two cartridges. Later in the day, when Haniff with others approached a cow pen, the appellant, who was engaged in milking, shot at Haniff and killed

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here were a series of events and quarrels during September 26, 1953, and the early part of the 27th and after a fight in the morning of the latter day it was alleged by the Crown that the appellant obtained a twelve-bore gun and two cartridges. Later in the day, when Haniff with others approached a cow pen, the appellant, who was engaged in milking, shot at Haniff and killed him and also shot and killed the latter’s mother.

him and also shot and killed the latter’s mother.

The appellant’s defence in the main was that he shot in self defence, while the others who were indicted with him rested their case on an alibi,

present were Lord Goddard (Lord Chief Justice) Lord Tucker and Lord Somervell of Harrow.

In 1955, Dec. 14, Lord Goddard announced that their Lordships would humbly ad-

contending they were not present when the shooting took place.

There had been, before the end of the case for the Crown, a view of the locus in quo by the jury, and the basic submission on this appeal was that nine prosecution witnesses, who had already given evidence, and been cross-examined and re-examined and then remained in court and so heard the evidence of subsequent witnesses, to give further evidence.

At the Privy Council,

vise Her Majesty that the appeal should be dismissed and that they would give their reasons later.

On January 24, 1956, the reasons of their Lordships for dismissing the appeal were given by Lord Goddard. This was an appeal, by special leave, from a judgment of the Court of Criminal Appeal in British Guiana dismissing the appellant’s appeal against a conviction for murder after a trial before Hughes J. and a jury which, their Lordships were told, had lasted

some 14 days .

At the close of the argument their Lordships announced that they would humbly advise Her Majesty to dismiss the appeal and now give their reasons for the advice which they tendered

George Barclay .

His Lordship stated the facts and continued: The case involved the calling of a large number , of witnesses, many, if not all of them other than the police were, as is evident from the transcript of their evidence, illiterate and of low intelligence with a very poor command of the English Language, a class, no doubt with whom the judges in the Colony are quite accustomed to deal in their courts. It is necessary for their Lordships to deal with the evidence in any

detail because the case before the Board was in substance confined to one matter relating to a view which took place during the hearing. Suffice it to say that not only were there numerous witnesses, but a good deal depended on the locality of the crime and where the various witnesses were at the time to which they spoke in their evidence.

According to Solicitors Hy. S. L. Polak & Co; Charles Russell & Co., the appeal was dismissed. It has failed on all grounds.

VIII

Chronicle Pepperpot January 17, 2016

Free As a Bird. ► From page II

JAH BLESS! Wen a done clean-it-an-cut-it-up right dere pon a flat-rock by d bottom-landing, ah head back upstairs to put lill provision pon d fyah. Since yest-day afta-noon ah did pull d eddoe and cassava from d farm and cut cut-up some firewood.

HA! Haf-pas-five – jus wen dem hannaquah an coduri early-mornin racket gettin chant-down by d rest-a-dem birds in d foress? my provision-pot tumbling away aready; d himorrah broff done simmer-down in lill fresh-casareep and ah callin- out to dem birds: “ Eh-eh...like ah win yall dis mawnin; wappon – like yall had a hard night lass night, or wuh?

Wen yuh live long-enough alone in dis bush? yuh does pick up some funny habits – like talkin to ev-ry livin ting...Hell – I does even find mihself talkin to d fyah... d trees…. ah does find mihself talkin bout d weather to sun-bee an d rain-bee, toucan and boradi; ah does talk to dem noisy parrot passin home to roost pon-a afternoon when d sun goin down and to a bunch a rowdy disrespectful maccaw...always in my tree feastin pon my sourie-nut and calling out to friends and family pon every tree-top over d riva to come join d spree. I love sourie nut, but dese damn maccaw doan give me no privacy….

A day ah say...ah-ain-tekking-it-no-mo and ah pick up mih gun to – but I control my self...cause ah remember what a ole Amerindian man did say to me a time wen we siddown gyaffing pon a takuba near my cabin…all dis time we gyaffing? I watching a johnny-smart (dat insect dat love to settle in d lill dent – side-a- d heel...unda yuh ankle-bone, yknow?... so dey could comfortable to suck yuh blood), I watching dis johnny-smart feastin away – buh Lloydy he ain diggin...Lloydy jus gyaffin. Wen ah caan bear it no mo – I point an seh: look Lloydy, it got a Johnny-Smart sucking your blood man; you ain feeling he? And yknow wuh LLyody do? Lloydy jus look down wit a doan-K-a-dam look pon-e-face an wid a lill brush-way in johnny-smart direction he seh: “Eh? Oh, doan bother with he. After all he not got pot; he don’t have arrow or fish hook….” I doano if dat ole man was jokin or wuh, buh e prappa impress me wit dem words dat day. He teach me a lot bout how he people does live an llow odda life fuh live in dis bush.

Dis odda time...was goin up d riva wit a trigger-happy police-man to catch some claim-robbers. D man had on a bullet-proof vess dat he-won-tek-off-fuh-dead! Even in d boat when allawe had to jump ovaboard to streak tru d falls? up to now duh banna ain tek-off dat bullet-proof vest and ev-ry-time we tek a rest-stop? d banna shootin up in d air fuh no reason at all. At one stop – a duck flyin pass....d rest-a-we didn even see dat duck; is Tiger, d Amerindian bow-man see – and he call-out – “LOOK…DUCK”!

CRACK!...soon as d word “duck” leff Tiger mout? is Bulletproof gun fyah-off so.

Next week: FREE AS A BIRD Part 2.

Chronicle Pepperpot January 17, 2016

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Chronicle Pepperpot January 17, 2016

The culture of mind altering substances in we sitting room

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ur sociologists have failed to present to us the nature of crucial customs that have infiltrated our culture, and altered behaviour patterns, induced practices that have now become chronic, practices that have, and are costing lives, and livelihoods. The Culture of Drugs is upon us like a shroud, in this case [Marijuana and Crack Cocaine], in the true flare of their mythic origins, danced into our borders with the promises of wealth and the lazy-short cut access to financial dreams unbridled, where Intellectual effort, creativity and honed skills required to obtain Bank or any other financial support are dismissed or deemed antiquated; where the hustle has stepped in to salvage our justified system failure, enacted depressions.

As a young man, Swamp Dog’s song "Sam Stone” was a mystery to me. What did the lyrics mean? “How could a man be climbing walls while sitting in a chair?”

This had to be some American Super Hero stuff. Even as we watched the movie “Superfly” it didn’t hit home. Recently it was at a Drug concern meet, where Clarence Young from the Phoenix Rehab reminded me of another movie that was a horror classic of its day, not the Vampire kind of Horror, I’m talking about “APOCOLYPSE NOW” with Marlon Brando, that the drug nation entered at the periphery of our consciousness. “Our” means the little group that hung together that analysed stuff as best we could.

We always knew that there were tablets that were “Date Pills” back in the seventies. There were guys like “Jesus,” and “Doc Sharples” and others who peddled such stuff to retards who couldn’t get ladies by swar, as courtship was called. I consider Bob Marley a pivotal game changer and inspiration. Music reached into our souls and erected a positive image of Africa and defined social struggle through a Biblical, historic mysticism. But he was two-fold, and the other side of

his genius was a Pied Piper that led a generation into the cultic maze of Ganja addiction. My first encounter with Marijuana was in King Edward Street, this was the late 1970s. I was with two friends, “Sparo” and “Major.” They lit this joint. I inhaled and coughed; they said I wasn’t doing it right. I replied that it was a sign not to deal “wid dis thing” and I never did.

But I witnessed the following chaos and destruction, how the marijuana cult destroyed families and souls. A legion of brethren abandoned their cloths and became natural “nuisances.” They wore bag clothing, picked up produce from stands and from small farms, claiming it was “Jah own” and they had the right to take it. Every South Georgetown resident remembers “Curry Chowmein” and his tribe, most of them

now deceased. I was invited to the Regent Street residence by the reputed wife of a brethren who had gone dread. She was angry; he threw her chicken into the alley, demanded that she didn’t wear jewellery because “duh’s vanity” and had proceeded to make her life hell. I didn’t see her after that.

I recently learned that she took the jewellery and what cash they had and fled to French Guiana. He ended up walking our streets naked on a permanent high. He was found dead under a deserted house, I was told. I had a similar problem with one of my sister-in-laws whom my younger sibling was dragging through a similar hell. They eventually separated. The music of Marley, the manifestation of Rastafari, created the culture that brought marijuana into our active consciousness, with tremendous confusion, in dictating what was righteous and what was Baldhead and Babylon. There was a butcher-turned-dread who had become a high priest of Clitoridectomy. I remember having a serious conversation with this brethren back then.

I visited another brethren, “Chico Blacks,” in hospital and enquired from a motherly nurse: “what was wrong wid de dread?” Her answer drove me into years of investigations that resulted in my having a very troubling awareness. This brethren has also passed on. But this is not a novel where I can tell all.

Marijuana came to this country with Indian Indentureship; not with slavery.

But it didn’t originate in India; it was a prolific plant cultivated in China some ten thousand years ago. The Cannabis plant was used to produce ship sails, ropes and clothing. Its oil was used for medical purposes and its seeds as a hallucinogen. The seeds were burnt as incense. Some Chinese philosophies denounced cannabis on the grounds that it enfeebled the body when eaten. Trade and the mythic promises of celestial visions took it worldwide, as another ritual gift of the Gods. It was, however, traded in Guyana and elsewhere, with the promise of a lucrative hustle that sustained its “heights” and not religion.

Mammon had overcome all. And another ritual concoction ► Continued on page XI

Chronicle Pepperpot January 17, 2016

The culture of mind X altering ... ► From page

would lure, compete, overcome and with devastating cruelty settle in Guyana - Mama Koka, whose ritual origins can be traced to the ancient Inca and a temptress slain for her looseness from whose carcass the coca plant is said to have emerged, and she emerged to in this age wreak havoc upon the poorest of nations.

The culture of mind altering substances are not simplistic explorations; no one for certain understands why the alcohol-altered mind stumbles into oncoming traffic, or assaults family members, why so much of our most gruesome crimes currently are linked to crack-cocaine and marijuana, except to say that the mind is best to leave alone and not invoke or impose the “psychotic” upon. Then there is the factor that in the service of mammon, greed has changed the nature of marijuana, the coca plant and the simple cane juice into weapons of addiction, with pesticides and added chemicals. How could it have happened, from “Baby Arthur” to the “Black Bush gang.” From 1994 to 2016 and villages and town ships remain pretentious; the culture of politics have betrayed us in the past. The gauntlet must be picked up now, for the mind is too precious a thing to waste.

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Chronicle Pepperpot January 17, 2016

How to boost your immune system What can you do?

On the whole, your immune system does a remarkable job of defending you against disease-causing microorganisms. But sometimes it fails: A germ invades successfully and makes you sick. Is it possible to intervene in this process and make your immune system stronger? What if you improve your diet? Take certain vitamins or herbal preparations?

Make other lifestyle changes in the hope of producing a near-perfect immune response?

The idea of boosting your immunity is enticing, but the ability to do so has proved elusive for several reasons. The immune system is precisely that — a system, not a single entity. To function well, it requires balance and harmony. There is still much that researchers don’t know about the intricacies and interconnectedness of the immune response.

Better Than Flu Shots: Natural Immunity Builders Your body is designed to keep you healthy.

Your immune system’s sole purpose is to fight sickness, disease, viruses, pathogens, bacteria, the list goes on. Building and maintaining a strong immune system is a monumental task.

And sometimes your system can get a little weary. So what can you do to help your body do its job naturally and effectively? One of the best ways is to eat immune boosting foods and herbs. Let’s take a look at two: garlic and papaya.

Garlic: Pungent. That’s the word most associated with garlic.

Just the thought of chewing garlic brings terror to the hearts of many. Especially bacteria… if bacteria had a heart.

B u t a n y w a y, garlic contains the enzyme, allicin, which is antibacterial, antifungal, and antiseptic. It’s the source of that garlicky kick that we all know and love. 1-4 cloves contain 4,000 mcg of allicin, the recommended daily allowance.

Sprinkle raw, chopped or minced garlic on your food. Or boil it with lemon to make a tea.

Little, historical note: garlic juice was used to treat wounds during World War I and saved countless lives.

kill parasites. One teaspoon a day will keep the doctor away. Enjoy a papaya smoothie or fruit salad. Or make a tea with the leaves.

Exercise: Good or bad for immunity?

Regular exercise is one of the pillars of healthy living. It improves cardiovascular health, lowers blood pressure, helps control body weight, and protects against a variety of diseases. But does it help maintain a healthy immune system? Just like a healthy diet, exercise can contribute to general good health and therefore to a healthy immune system. It may contribute even more directly by promoting good circulation, which allows the cells and substances of the immune system to move through the body freely and do their job efficiently.

Some scientists are trying to take the next step to determine whether exercise directly affects a person’s susceptibility to infection. For example, some researchers are looking at whether extreme amounts of intensive exercise can cause athletes to get sick more often or somehow impairs their immune function. To do this sort of research, exercise scientists typically ask athletes to exercise intensively; the scientists test their blood and urine before and after the exercise to detect any changes in immune system components such as cytokines, white blood cells, and certain antibodies. While some changes have been recorded, immunologists do not yet know what these changes mean in terms of human immune response. No one yet knows, for example, whether an increase in cytokines is helpful or has any true effect on immune response. Similarly, no one knows whether a general increase in white cell count is a good thing or a bad thing.

But these subjects are elite athletes undergoing intense physical exertion. What about moderate exercise for average people? Does it help keep the immune system healthy?

For now, even though a direct beneficial link hasn’t been established, it’s reasonable to consider moderate regular exercise to be a beneficial arrow in the quiver of healthy living, a potentially important means for keeping your immune system healthy along with the rest of your body.

Papaya: This tropical buttery fruit is high in vitamin C, B vitamins, and the antibacterial enzyme papain.

But don’t just stop at the fleshy fruit. Eat the seeds which are also nutrient packed. They are bitter in taste, similar to mustard seeds or black peppercorns. Ground papaya seeds are high in alkaloid which has two amazing properties. It can change the flora of the intestinal track and

Noshavyah King (Certified Personal Trainer, aerobics instructor, Sports and Conditioning Coach and Zumba Instructor) Owner of Genesis Fitness Express Located at Transport Sports Club

Chronicle Pepperpot January 17, 2016

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Sunday

Nostalgia Ah, beauty! These seven young ladies were after two big titles – Miss Guyana Industry and Miss Fashion – which will be at stake when the Guyana Industrial and Agricultural Display Exhibition and Fair, which took place on February 5, 1966. In picture, from left, are Pamela Hintzen, Joan DeCaires, Joanne James (who organised the competition), Daphne Coates, Barbara Isaacs, Sandra Youtzy and Joan Wong. Seven others – Aileen Morgan, Peggy Glasgow, Collette Boyer, Celeste Walcott, Donna Viera, Sita Singh and Molly Davson – also took part in the competitions.

Weighlifting chatter: Carlton Goring (centre), former lightweight champion of British Guyana and Britian, shares a joke with Ronald Blackman (right), secretary and coach of the British Guiana Weighlifting Association, and Neil Chan, organising Secretary, during a weightlifting confab this week 50 years ago. Goring was home on a short visit before returning to competition that week.

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Chronicle Pepperpot January 17, 2016

Rope mats, anyone?

- If you have a rope mat, Donald Delph is probably the one who made it. Chronicle reporter Shauna Jemmott reports on how Deplh started a thriving business using ropes he buys from seamen

S

ometimes survival depends on how creative one can be, but success depends on the economic wisdom of a man who determines to make life easier for his family while enjoying what he does best.

Donald Delph has been for years been weaving his success by creating various kinds and sizes of rope mats and supplying a vast market which includes government offices, private individuals and is now even open for overseas orders.

The Bagotsville resident creates the unique and durable mats in a comfortable workshop at Lot 102 Bagotsville, West Bank Demerara and travels to Georgetown Thursdays and Fridays weekly where he rides and markets openly. Many times he would take orders for

numerous of the mats, and apart from those, he would weave at least sixteen of them on a daily basis.

Delph lives with his wife. When Guyana Chronicle stopped by his simply beautiful home, he was having family time with his wife, grandson and another child who is dear to the them.

The children communicated pleasantly as the Rope Mat chief guided us on a tour around his workshop, a farm in his backyard and his beautiful home which was built using the proceeds from his business.

As we toured, he related that a relative taught him to craft the mats while he was just a boy and it was a trade his own mother had adopted, supplying Fogartys’ and Guyana Stores among others. He was her “right hand” in the

business.

Still in his teens, he decided to extend the family business by making his own mats and supplying a new market by reaching street shoppers directly. So he rode around the city with his mats and was sold out many days.

Today he still rides, selling.

Sunday Chronicle spotted the attractive property of Delph after we were drawn by the display of various country flags hoisted in front of his home compound swaying gracefully to the rhythm of the wind. Flags of Guyana, Jamaica, the USA and Puerto Rico flew simultaneously.

The Rope mat man met us first at his padlocked gate and introduced himself before he began telling his story.

He said he would pur-

chase the ropes in large numbers from seamen, and after stripping them at his workshop, he plaits and

what I do.” Some of the mats are made of jute bags instead of the polytene ropes.

When, 25 years ago, he

Delph with two of the mats

The home which Delph built from selling rope mats

folds them into the shape of the mat. He then stitches it together and cleans the mats by clipping and burning the extra fuzz. They are made in a variety of sizes and colours.

“I make mats every day.

That is my resource. I have no regrets of doing this for the 25 years. As you could see, I am very successful at

Delph, his wife and grandkids

Reaping golden apples from his small back-yard garden

moved from further in Bagotsville to the area in which he now lives, his house was the smallest in the area.

The land was bushy but he cleared it and built the little cottage.

At the time he had no electricity. To work during the evening hours weaving and creating mats, he lit a big fire using his waste prod-

ucts and also was supported by two flambeaux lamps.

“And that is how I raised my business.” Then a neighbor four lots away who had noticed his determination shared electricity with him.

He was, from proceeds of his business, able to build a beautifully designed home.

“Everything doing one day at a time; because everything happening is out from my pocket,” he stated.

He was able to successfully educate his children, who have now taken up careers in the professions.

Apart from rope mats, Delph farms in his small backyard, something he says he does to “keep off the road”.

“I cut a lot of bananas, a lot of plantain. I pick a lot of cherries, and a lot of different crops.” Within a small rectangular space he plants married-man pork, celery, cabbage, tomatoes, pepper, and the fruits carambola, golden apple, cherry, and much more.

“This farm helped me a lot with my health and strength and it saves in a lot of money in my pocket. This land was a jungle field, and I bring it into a paradise, but I haven’t completed bringing it into a paradise.”

“I get a lot of warm welcome from persons I don’t even know, because of the ambience from in front. I love a clean place.

It don’t harbour flies, it don’t harbour germs. It is an idea; it is a vision and it is knowledge by the Almighty.”

Chronicle Pepperpot January 17, 2016

D

o you have a hard time finding an outfit that’s comfortably casual yet totally stylish? I have just the inspiration you need. Casual style is a great everyday option for ladies who, despite their busy schedules, aren’t willing to give up looking gorgeous every single day! But, what does dressing casual mean? Well, this style enables you to put together your comfiest pieces of wardrobe, have fun dressing them up with various accessories and go out both looking and feeling great! Sounds interesting? Well, check out these fashion tips and looks on how to achieve it. Available at Wild Trendz Boutique, 228 South Road Lacytown, Georgetown. Tel: 592-225-0304.

This fashionable combination of fitted jacket, shorts and tank top is refreshing. The bright pop of floral against the white backdrop packs a powerful amount of sexiness into a simple body loving structure. As classic and trend savvy as the jacket is, it's a party-perfect piece that gets noticed.

Asenna Moonsammy makes a fresh style exceptionally versatile with trendy boots. This denim mini dress is masterful at casual occasion.

The v- neckline, exposed, full length front zipper that has an eye popping effect, an adorable look for any body type.

Accessories: Sunglasses, belts and hair accessories do make a huge difference and is something you should focus on in case you’re interested in adopting this fun, yet hassle-free style! Accessorize a relatively basic outfit and watch it transform from “standard” into something you wouldn’t expect.

Flats-dressing casual doesn’t mean that you have to give up heels although I must admit flats do fit in perfectly and are a great way to give those legs a break. Trendy boots will complete your look while an interesting sandal allows you to look great and feel comfy and yes, you can be glam, girly and dressy in flats.

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Jewellery: The power of jewellery, now I don’t need to tell you that every outfit (except the one you’d wear for a gym, of course) looks best when accessorized with appropriate jewellery. So you should definitely experiment with different statement pieces all depending on how “dressy” you want your look to be!

Tees: Speaking about dressing casual, how often do you wear tees? Well, get ready to fall in love with them completely! These relatively inexpensive pieces of wardrobe can be worn with jeans, leggings, stylish blazers, allowing you to pull of many different looks yet feel comfy. How cool is that!

Want that sexy, curve flattering silhouette look?

Try stretch jeans, these look beautiful with everything even a crop top or tunic.

Abiola chose these soft pleated shorts with a tank top printed designs and flats adding some flirty vibes if you are headed to the games or a Sunday hang with friends.

Carla Tyanna wears a figurehugging dress.

This sexy dress emphasis the low neckline that gives it a sultry and shimmering look. Paired with the perfect wedges or sandals makes it a fabulous weekend outfit.

Carla is giving the LBD the night off and replacing it with short skirt dress, buttoned-up front long sleeves with rolled-up cuff. The soft silk fabric keeps it feminine with heels or flats. onlookers will stand at attention.

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Chronicle Pepperpot January 17, 2016

From Castries to Mahdia

Harris – the GuyLu

The gold and diamond fields of Guyana caused Herman Paul to leave his native St Lucia. He arrived in Guyana on the very day independence, May 26, 1966. He told the Chronicle’s Alva Solomon why he stayed all these years. The story is on the centre pages.

H

e is one of the early St Lucian natives who settled in Mahdia. He believes his presence in the region at the centre of Guyana is significant. He also believes his 50th year in the Region Eight community is the most significant achievement in his life.

Meet Herman Paul, known to many in Mahdia as “Harris”, a 77-year old naturalized Guyanese who left his homeland in Castries, in May 1966 on a journey to South America’s only English-speaking nation.

Holding an umbrella and a shot-gun tucked in under his shoulder, Paul’s unique French Caribbean accent would catch the ears within a crowd. Standing among a group of miners in the gold-rich Tiger Creek area outside Mahdia last week, Paul walked around briskly as the gold miners and the authorities squabbled over rights to mine on the land. He oversees a parcel of land there with a mining partner.

From a distance he muttered a few words about mining at the site and as soon as he heard that the newspaper was willing to speak about Guyana’s 50th Golden Jubilee celebrations this year to mark 50 years of Independence from British rule, he stepped up and pointed out that he is also celebrating 50 years in Guyana.

Along with miner Winston Emmanuel and several others, Paul moved to Guyana in this country’s most significant year, 1966. What he deemed more important is that he landed on these shores on May 26th that year, the very day Guyana became an independent nation.

In his deep French Patois accent, Paul said love brought him to Guyana. “Me been get one aunty deh and me tell her me want come Guyana,” he said. The love of his life was resident in Bartica at the time and he followed her here in that important day back in 1966.

He was determined to travel here since the country was booming economically and the excitement surrounding independence that year increased his thoughts of living a better life in Guyana. Jobs were hard to find in Castries at the time and as soon as he was afforded an opportunity to board a boat, Paul left the country of his birth.

That year he estimated 67 persons travelled to Guyana from the Caribbean island and while some stayed, others returned.

The boat “Aunty William” remains fresh in his mind as Paul recalled travelling to Trinidad from Castries. After spending one week in Port-of- Spain, the boat, laden with a supply of cement, departed for Port Georgetown. One week later, Paul was disembarking the vessel to make his way to the Brickdam Police station to check-in with Immigration authorities.

Mahdia to plant new farm and after you go back in the bush for gold.”

He said that the St Lucian influence was evident in area at the time. The islanders brought their cultural heritage to the remote community and practiced it annually, a feat he was proud of. He made reference to the August 30th “La Rose” or Lawoz celebrations, a carnival-like festivity which is celebrated in St Lucia.

Paul said the government at the time joined and supported the celebrations, which is linked to slavery and emancipation. “We get all the St Lucians living in Mahdia.

It is a culture. It is a day we celebrate with cooking; we get a band playing music, we dress like police, doctor, nurse and whether in red or white.”

Paul seemed over-excited when he described the food eaten at the celebrations. Those foods consisted of uniquely cooked rice, with chicken and roasted or fried beef. In addition ground provisions, consisting of eddoes, yams and plantains among others are steamed, similar to metem-gee .

He said the St Lucians refer to the dish as-”bouyou”- in the Patois chords.

As Paul reminisced, he shook his head in a moment of happiness with a hint of longing. “When we gaffing , me and Herman Paul stands in the mining fields at Tiger meh padna, we talk about the day when we come in Guyana and it got a lot of people leff them country and come here Creek near Mahdia last week and died”, he mumbled as he looked across at the mining pits nearby.

“Look how far me deh, me deh till in the jungle talking to Recounting Independence Day, Paul said Guyana was buzzing with activities, with the festive –like celebrations you,” he said, adding, “me and Guyana’s Independence get on-going throughout the country. He recalled the day as something significant”.

According to research, there is a strong community of being special. “The day when we come, we didn’t go on the road right away but everybody was enjoying them- French Patois speakers in Mahdia who have continued to selves. Because England give independence to Guyana… pass down their traditions over the years. Starting in the people was partying and drinking and sporting all over 1930s, many St Lucians travelled to British Guiana to work in the goldfields. They joined mining companies and several Guyana.”

Clutching his shot-gun, Paul repeatedly spoke of his love remained in Mahdia.

Wayne Jones in his Inter-Caribbean Migration piece stated for Guyana. He said today, he has 10 children and more than 40 grand-children, some of whom are doctors, nurses, lawyers. that from the 1950's onward there were large Windward island populations in the Guyanese goldfields.

“Me got 12 great-grands to so me love Guyana “, he added.

By the 1970's the “La Rose” festival had been transported Recounting his early days in Mahdia , Paul said the area today has developed in many ways, including in the area of to Mahdia and then hard times began to take hold in Guyana in the 1980's. Many islanders began leaving for their homeinfrastructure.

“Life in Mahdia was share bush, so when we started to lands. Today, there are persons in St Lucia who are known as work, we pork knockers, we worked for diamond,” since "GuyLu”.

The "Guy-Lu" is an offspring of St. Lucian parents it was the most sought after mineral, ahead of gold. He said the small miners would leave the community for the who were born in Guyana. These individuals acquired field and spend a few days before walking several miles permanent status when he or she arrived in St. Lucia, his on their return trips. “When we done we going back to or her parents' homeland.

At 27, he said he was excited as the officers stamped his passport and after paying the G$50 fee, he prepared to travel to Bartica the very day he arrived. “Me been back there (St Lucia) three to four times but me love Guyana.”

Chronicle Pepperpot January 17, 2016

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The roads within Mahdia are dusty, as the rains have been eluding many Hinterland areas across Guyana in recent months.

One of several water holding areas near Mahdia in Region Eight, where gold-mining takes precedence over other economic activities.

A sluice box positioned near a mining pit outside Mahdia

The precious metal is usually picked up from this section of the gol-mining operation.

Several miners, sleep at high noon, using their long-boots as make-shift pillows at this camp at Tiger Creek near Mahdia.

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Chronicle Pepperpot January 17, 2016

Lawanda Curry

Teaching others to read WITH suitable jobs hard to find these days for some people, Lawanda Marcia Curry, thought long and hard about the possibility of teaching people how to read for a living.

The idea occurred to her years ago but she decided to get serious with it recently when she found herself without a job.

“I was unemployed for a while and looking for jobs, but to no avail. So, I thought to myself why not take this up now.

For a number of years, I have been teaching people to read, but on a voluntary basis. So I thought, why not make it a job?”

Born and raised in Buxton Village, East Coast Demerara, Lawanda attended Company Road Primary, Annandale Secondary, and then Critchlow Labour College where she did a course and emerged as the best graduating student in English Language. She also did a business course at Cambridge University through School of the Nations.

Although Lawanda’s focus will be teaching persons how to read, she doesn’t mind assisting people with their writing skills as well.

“Currently, I am involved in a voluntary work and I get to meet people of various backgrounds and social status. I find that some persons simply cannot read. It can be something embarrassing because most people do not come out and tell you. You have to discern it in most cases. Just recently I was in a café and I saw someone who had a form to full but someone else was doing it for her. And the form had such simple questions. It’s really a sad situation,” she expressed.

Lawanda is confident in her abilities to help others learn how to read. “I have been an ardent reader since childhood. I love reading. I would read literally anything!”

She is advising persons not to be embarrassed over their inability to read but to step up to the challenge and do something about it. “There are different reasons why people are not able to read. For example, people didn’t go to school because of poverty. But they should not confine themselves to the fact that they cannot read and just be comfortable with that.

They should want to learn how to read so they can identify their names and other basic information. There is nothing to be ashamed of.”

Lawanda is available for teaching on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays between the hours of 12 and 6 pm, and can be reached on telephone number 611 1900.

Chronicle Pepperpot January 17, 2016

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Chronicle Pepperpot January 17, 2016

Chronicle Pepperpot January 17, 2016

All about that base…

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Foundation is a key factor in your skin care routine and is used a base for makeup.

I

’m often asked what makes good makeup and I always reply “good skin.” You foundation is supposed to look like skin, a silky smooth, blemish free, good skin. An expert makeup artist is able to achieve the appearance of good skin. Foundation should be well blended and barely noticeable. If it jumps out at you and we can see the contour and highlight, then you’re applying it wrong… and yes there is a wrong way of applying makeup!

It is imperative that you take extra care in choosing the right foundation. Your foundation shade should match your jaw line; and if you must choose between two different shades… d o n ’t ! I t ’s always best to use a tone lighter to match the centre of your face and a tone that matches your hair line.

Then blend.

It’s simple.

Splurge, because there are some things worth the extra dollars. Foundation is the basis of your entire makeup look. I’m often asked to apply only eye makeup, because they assume there was no foundation applied and my clients just have perfect skin. But makeup doesn’t look good if it’s incomplete and half done, if you’re applying eye makeup, it should

include foundation on the face as well.

A good foundation usually costs more than drugstore brands, like Maybelline, Loreal, or Cover Girl. And adjusts to your specific skin type and skin care needs. It will last all day, and will need minimum touch ups.

Foundation comes in d i ff e r e n t forms, liquid for medium coverage, powder for sheer or light coverage, and cream for full coverage.

It’s always best to consult a professional look for a beauty consultant and use natural light/sunlight to test your foundation shade.

Companies change their color scheme or expand the shades of foundation, or create new foundations to better cater to the need of their demographic. Always update your foundation and test it every time you buy new ones.

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Chronicle Pepperpot January 17, 2016

CONSUMER CONCERNS: THE GUYANA FIRE SERVICE'S IMPORTANCE TO GUYANESE LIFE Most Guyanese today are not aware of the importance of the Fire Service to the protection of the lives, property and comfort of citizens. The Fire Service is taken for granted unlike in the last century when citizens were very aware of its importance In those times, there was an aura of romance about the "Fire Brigade" as it was then known. Children at school aspired to be firemen and a good proportion of the Professional and Business classes joined the Auxiliary Fire Brigade since being a member was something of a status symbol.

Though the work and activities of the Fire Brigade, now known as "The Guyana Fire Service," has expanded manifold, people are now even less cognizant of its Pat Dial importance. The only time when one seems to know of the Fire Service is when one is in trouble.

In this week's Consumer Concerns, we thought of focusing on the Guyana Fire Service so that Consumers and the public at large could once again begin to be conscious of this important segment of Guyanese life.

We therefore spoke with Mr McGregor, the acting Fire Chief, since Mr Marlon Gentle, the substantive Fire Chief was on leave. Mr McGregor handed us over to Mr Compton Sparman, the longest serving officer of the Fire Service, and as expected, he was a mine of information and anecdotes.

In earlier colonial times, the Fire Brigade was centred in Georgetown and the Georgetown Service had the responsibility countrywide in spite of the fact that each

sugar plantation had a fire extinguishing unit of its own.

Today, the Service has a true presence in every part of the country. In Georgetown, there are four stations - Stabroek which is headquarters, Albertown, Campbellville, and West Ruimveldt. On East Bank Demerara, there is a station at Diamond and one at Timheri. The Timheri station specializes in dealing with aircraft fires, aircraft running off the runaways, and other possible aeroplane accidents as well as the usual fire-fighting duties. On West Coast Demerara, there is the Leonora Station. In Berbice, there are four stations - Onverwaght, New Amsterdam and two in Corriverton. There are also stations at Linden, Bartica and Anna Regina. There are five Auxiliary Stations at Lethem, Kwakwani, Port Kaituma, Mabaruma and Mazaruni. â–ş Contiuned on page XXIII

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THE GUYANA FIRE SERVICE'S IMPORTANCE ... â–ş From page XXII The Fire Service deals with fires of all types as for example, grass fires, house fires, electrical fires, aircraft and fuel fires. Each type of fire requires its own technique of extinguishing - some types of fire require the use of water, others may require the use of foam or dry powder. Sometimes, it is necessary to employ the use of explosives.

In addition to its core activity of extinguishing fires, the Fire Service offers a plethora of services and help to the public. We will mention some of these so that the public may have a better understanding of the important role of the Fire Service to the life of the community and at the same time inform them of the many services open to all.

Rescuing victims of various kinds of accidents is one of the daily activities of the Fire Service. For example, collapsing old houses, in traffic accidents or in construction work, the Fire Service is the only entity which possesses the necessary tools such as various

types of appropriate saws, jacks, hammers and other tools and is able to apply these immediately. At the same time, the Fire Service is always ready to offer first aid to victims.

There are other types of rescue. Sometimes someone may be marooned on a tall tree and can't come down, or a construction worker on a very high scaffold may have an attack of vertigo and has to be brought down to save his life; or there are cases of would-be suicide from a house roof.

Animals are also rescued, as for example, someone's valuable pet cat climbing a high tree and can't come down or horses falling into canals and have to be lifted out.

During periods of drought or water shortage, the Service has kept institutions such as schools, Help and Shelter, the Palms and even private residences supplied with water.

The Service often has to hose out tarmacs in preparation for public and even private functions. It would adjust flags and flag poles for embassies, government departments and even private residences. It would blow out drains in various parts of the City thus facilitating

easier drainage.

At a fee, it would supply visiting ships with water, salvage sunken ships or pump out water from ships which may be taking in water.

One of the most useful services to the community is the Fire Service's ambulance. Quite often, the Service's ambulance is the only one available at the time of an accident or to fetch the sick when other ambulances are unavailable.

And first-aid is a continuous activity at all times.

One very important aspect of the administration of the Service is the continuous training of firemen in the most modern techniques. The Fire Service runs a Training Complex at Leonora which accommodates 60 trainees. There is also continuous foreign training in the Caribbean, especially in Barbados and Trinidad. Training in the United Kingdom is a tradition which has continued from colonial times; for example, seven (7) firemen went to England last year for 5-week training programmes.

Despite the great impact the Service makes on Guyanese life, the management is not complacent but is always working for improvements.

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Chronicle Pepperpot January 17, 2016

Alternatives to Styrofoam in the Food Packaging Industry

L

ately, much attention has been placed on the impending ban on Styrofoam products in the food service industry. An important concern that has been raised in relation to the ban, is the availability of viable alternatives to Styrofoam containers. The fact that worthy replacements to Styrofoam are already available in the country should help to allay this concern. These alternatives boast to be non-toxic, harmless and healthy. Moreover, they are compostable and generally degrade within a few months after use, once exposed to a combination of bacteria, soil, oxygen and

sunlight. This is indeed a desired quality compared to Styrofoam which takes hundreds of years to break down. Most biodegradable food packaging products are manufactured in ISO certified production plants under the strictest hygiene to ensure that they are safe to contain food for human use.

Biodegradable packaging products are generally made from natural organic raw materials such as bagasse or potato starch among others.

Containers come in the form of plates and cups and take-out food boxes such as burger boxes, a â–ş Contiuned on page XXV

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Alternatives to Styrofoam ... ► From page XXVI

variety of food and salad containers etc.

The biodegradable containers go through a thorough production process with quality control mechanisms at every stage to ensure a high quality product that is safe for use. The finished product undergoes stringent tests to ensure that they confirm with desired strength and durability and are in keeping with internationally approved standards.

Biodegradable products are also treated to ensure safety for food use and to remove any contaminants associated with the production of the raw materials used and airborne or other pathogens such as Mildew. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a common sterilization method used in the biodegradable products industry.

In this New Year, endeavour to do your part in reducing the use of non-biodegradable Styrofoam. Make biodegradable food containers the go-to product for your take-away and portable food packaging needs. Make the switch now and help to rid our environment of Styrofoam!

(Share your ideas and questions by sending letters to: “Our Earth, Our Environment”, C/O EIT Division, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, GEORGETOWN, or email us at: eit. epaguyana@gmail.com or you can contact the Agency on 225-5467-9)

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Chronicle Pepperpot January 17, 2016

Dr. BERTRAND R. STUART, DDS.

Are you prepared for that extraction?

By Dr. BERTRAND R. STUART DDS.

T

he health and life expectancy in Guyana have been improving over the years. More people are surviving with chronic illness, many are on longterm medication and there are proportionally many more old people today than a few decades ago. But despite this, oral health care has not always been forthcoming for the patient with medical problems, and oral diseases are not always recognised. Indeed it is quite common that patients who visit the dentist also suffer from medical conditions for which due consideration must be given, but which is not usually the case.

No patient should suffer any deterioration of health as a consequence of dental treatment. It is therefore essential, within the practical limitations of dental practice, the presence and significance of medical problems likely to affect oral care. So, if you require an extraction, are you prepared for it?

The prevalence of medical disorders that might affect dental treatment is higher in certain groups, particularly the elderly, the handicapped and the hospitalised. However, the presence of certain basic ailments should be investigated routinely.

Anaemia is the first to be considered. In this state, the hemoglobin (red pigment) of the blood is â–ş Contiuned

on page XXVII

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Are you prepared ... â–ş From page XXVI lacking. The hemoglobin, which is responsible for taking oxygen to the cells of the body, is measured in grams and the normal adult generally has ten to fifteen. One pint of blood contains just over one gram of hemoglobin. Whenever there is anaemia, the main danger exists if general anaesthesia is given. Symptoms include debility, weakness, pallor, breathlessness and swelling of the ankles.

Prolonged bleeding after a dental extraction is usually of local cause but it is also one of the common signs of a bleeding disorder. The condition is usually caused by disorders of platelets (a type of blood cell) or of the clotting mechanism (such as hemophilia or patients on anticoagulants for stroke). Platelet defects give rise to purpura, characterised by superficial (capillary) bleeding in the skin or mucosa which is observed

as one or more reddish spots. Coagulation disorders cause severe bleeding deep in the tissues and extensive haematoma formation after slight injury. Bleeding after surgery or trauma can also be prolonged and severe as to be a potential killer.

A bleeding disorder in a close relative is strongly suggestive of a blood clotting defect. When occurring congenitally,

XXVII most become apparent in childhood. However, some haemophiliacs escape recognition until adult life if they manage to avoid injury. Patients who have had dental extractions without trouble are most unlikely to have severe congenital bleeding disorders. Many diseases can result in prolonged bleeding after an extraction. Among the main ones, are high blood pressure, liver disease including cirrhosis, severe anaemia, malnutrition and HIV infection. A patient must never forget to tell the dentist if he or she has a bleeding problem since their well-being may be endangered by failing to disclose any disorder.

Cardiovascular diseases, particularly high blood pressure and ischaemic heart disease are the most common causes of death in many countries. There are millions of ambulant dental patients who have heart disease, treated or untreated. Drugs, procedures or just anxiety can aggravate heart disease or possibly even provoke cardiac arrest whereby the patient dies instantly. So even when one is under medication from one’s doctor for any condition, even a simple cold, the dentist should be informed so that contraindicated drug therapy or procedures can be avoided.

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English

Chronicle Pepperpot January 17, 2016

Netflix set to tap Bollywood-mad India in pursuit of global viewers (REUTERS) Netflix Inc's global expansion is set to reach movie-mad India, industry executives said, where high-speed Internet connectivity is rapidly spreading among a vast population used to paying pennies for their latest Bollywood fix.

Slowing growth at home in the United States has put pressure on video-streaming service Netflix to grow internationally and India, where a fifth of the country's 1.3 billion people are online, is widely seen as a likely next step in Asia.

Netflix declined to comment on its plans but industry executives told Reuters they expect an India announcement as early as this week at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, where co-founder and Chief Executive Reed Hastings is scheduled to talk about the company's international expansion.

"Netflix is entering India at the right time," said analyst Tarun Pathak at Counterpoint Technology Research.

Most Indian Internet users go online via smartphones, which are increasingly capable of connecting to the latest, fourth-generation network (4G) which cuts streaming times considerably.

"We expect at least one in two mobile devices sold this year to be 4G equipped," Pathak said.

The challenge is convincing Indians to spend, analysts said. Netflix's average revenue per user (ARPU) in the third quarter was $25.29 in the United States and $21.59 abroad.

In India, where a movie can cost 29 rupees (44 cents) and monthly subscriptions are as little as 200 rupees, analysts expect ARPUs to be a fraction of that.

MOBILE PARTNER With most Indians getting online with smartphones, a telecom partner could speed Netflix's market entry a year after Hotstar - from Twenty-First Century Fox Inc controlled Star Network - and three years after Singapore-based Spuul.

Netflix paired with SoftBank Group Corp for its Japan launch, piggybacking on the one of the country's mobile network providers for its first foray in Asia in September.

Netflix's U.S.-listed Indian rival Eros International PLC announced a partnership on Monday with Idea Cellular Ltd, the country's third-biggest mobile carrier with 167 million subscribers.

For telecoms companies, streaming services increase data consumption which is more lucrative than telephone calls. Moreover, movie subscriber numbers are widely expected to jump with the large scale introduction of 4G services, led by the Jio network of Reliance Industries Ltd. But in price-sensitive India, reaching new customers with big-budget content is likely to prove far easier than fending off the appeal of cheap, easily available pirated copies.

"In India our biggest worry is not Netflix," said Michael Smith, chief technology officer at startup Hooq, backed by Singapore Telecommunications Ltd, Time Warner Inc and Sony Corp.

"It's the 20 cent copy of a movie that has just been released." ($1 = 66.5828 Indian rupees)

John Abraham’s look for the action-drama Rocky Handsome, scheduled for release on March 25. (India Express photo)

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#OscarsSoWhite

- 'The Revenant' becomes Oscar front-runner; actors of color ignored (REUTERS) Grueling revenge movie "The Revenant" emerged as the Oscar front-runner on Thursday in nominations that pit big-budget movies against small personal dramas and once again shut actors of color out of the industry's biggest honors.

The hashtag #OscarsSoWhite was quickly revived on Twitter. It had emerged last year, when only white actors received nods.

Will Smith, who stars in football injury drama "Concussion," and Idris Elba from "Beasts of No Nation" were among the black actors who were not nominated this year.

The black cast and director of hip hop biopic "Straight Outta Compton" were also left out of the race.

"In a year with an extraordinary number of great performances by black actors that were embraced by audiences and embraced by critics, for them all to get ignored is tragic,� said Reginald Hudlin, who will produce the

Feb. 28 awards ceremony hosted by comedian Chris Rock.

"The Revenant," an ambitious pioneer-era saga, led with 12 nominations, including best picture, best actor for Leonardo DiCaprio and best director for Mexico's Alejandro Inarritu, who won the top Oscar last year for the dark showbiz comedy "Birdman."

"The Revenant" will compete with gritty action adventure "Mad Max: Fury Road" and space film "The Martian." All three boast budgets above $100 million.

The best picture nominees also include independent films "Room," "Spotlight" and "Brooklyn" as well as studio productions "The Big Short" and "Bridge of Spies," which had budgets in the $20 million to $40 million range.

Amid the excitement from nominees, others in Hollywood were nursing their wounds.

"Straight Outta Compton" and "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" were left out of the best picture

Searchlight independent film arm's "Brooklyn" and "Youth."

The tally also includes six nods for "Bridge of Spies," which it shared with Walt Disney Co (DIS.N).

6,000 members of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, can have up to 10 best picture nominees, but voters selected just eight.

While diversity was lacking in the acting race, the films nominated reflect a variety of genres.

"Look at the range of movies we're discussing," film critic Leonard Maltin said. "A lesbian love story, a brutal story of survival and everything in between."

Previous Oscar winners Cate Blanchett and Jennifer Lawrence returned to the best actress race, which has no obvious front-runners. At 25, Lawrence, is the youngest four-time acting nominee.

This year, she was recognized for playing the Miracle Mop inventor in "Joy." Blanchett was nominated for lesbian romance "Carol", although the movie was overlooked for best picture.

FIRST OSCAR FOR DICAPRIO? "The Revenant," about a fur trapper mauled by a bear and left for dead by his companions, brought nominations for DiCaprio, who has never won an Oscar, and supporting actor for Tom Hardy.

"We gave it our all on this film, and this appreciation from the Academy means a lot to me and my colleagues who made it possible," Inarritu said in a statement. "Champagne and Mezcal will run tonight!"

The Oscars, chosen by the

Idris Elba, who starred in “Beasts of No Nation" is among Black actors who were skipped over for an Oscar nomination.

First Oscar? Leonardo Dipcarpio is the front-runner to best actor for his role in the ambitious pioneer-era saga The Revanant. race, while Ridley Scott, director of best picture nominee "The Martian," did not make the grade in the director category.

20th Century Fox (FOXA.O) led the studios with a total of 30 nominations, including for "The Revenant," "The Martian" and "Joy," as well as its Fox

The best actress field also includes rising star Brie Larson for "Room"; veteran Charlotte Rampling, who is hoping British drama "45 Years" will bring her first Oscar; and Saoirse Ronan for Irish immigrant tale "Brooklyn."

Sylvester Stallone, enjoying a new wave of popularity, scored a supporting actor nod for reprising his career-defining role as boxer Rocky Balboa in "Creed."

"I was not expecting it ... especially at this time in my life," the 69-year-old actor said in a statement.

Director Inarritu will face off with George Miller for "Mad Max"; Adam McKay for "The Big Short," about the 2007 U.S. financial collapse; Lenny Abrahamson for "Room"; and Tom McCarthy for "Spotlight," about the Boston Globe's probe into child abuse by Catholic priests.