Articles

The Guyana Independence Festival Celebrates 52 Years of Excellence

Published

6 years ago

June 29, 2018

BY: KRISTINA RAMCHARRAN

It was a treat for the senses as attendees were surrounded by food, music, vendors and most importantly culture. The 52^nd annual Guyana Independence Festival was a culturally rich day of activities celebrating the culture and independence of Guyana, including the various aspects of culture the country has to offer.

The festival spanned two days, as the Saturday events featured cricket and soccer games, while Sunday was all about community involvement, arts, and culture.

Kicking off the day with a cultural show, attendees at the event held at Albert Campbell Square were treated to unique and beautiful costumes and dances representing the various cultures of the Guyanese community.

Despite the cloudy weather, the free festival saw a great turn out of families excited to immerse younger generations into the Guyanese culture. The entertainment scheduled throughout the day featured many dance and musical performances, as well as DJs spinning the best in Caribbean sounds.

The cultural show, which showcased all of the different cultures of Guyana, even featured a traditional Chinese lion dance, an Amerindian dance, Indonesian and Indian dancers and Afro musicians.

“Guyana is made up of six nations, and the festival is about showcasing all of our cultures,” said Kim Sue, organizer, and co-chair of the festival. “The festival is about showcasing all of our cultures, and this allowed that.”

Sue also added, “every performer, every DJ, gave fully of their time. They wanted to give back to the community. And this is what the festival is about. It’s about giving back to your own community and preserving, cultivating and promoting our culture here in Toronto.”

Also present at the event was Malcom Cho-Kee, the chair of the festival. “It’s all about Guyana and the taste of Guyana,” said Cho-Kee as he gestured to all of the cultural cuisine and entertainment surrounding him.

He noted that the festival does even more than benefitting the local Guyanese community, but also the country as a whole. “The Guyanese in the diaspora are very important in the development of Guyana itself,” added Cho-Kee highlighting the role the Guyanese diasporic community plays in representing Guyana and its tourism.

The various vendors present at the festival were all members of the Guyanese community representing the culture, food, and people as a whole. “They’re all business people within the diaspora,” noted Sue, also mentioning that many of the vendors have previously supported the festival in the past. “They all promote Guyanese products and services,” added Sue, expanding on the festival being a great medium for Guyanese owned businesses to reach out within the community.

Vendors present included Caribbean Cabana and Starlite restaurants, Hakim Optical, Laparkan Shipping, Norman Sue Bakery, multiple seafood distributors and Aunty Gai’s Homemade Products. The festival also featured young talented individuals including the Footsteps dance crew and the musically talented DJ Jono.

Both Sue and Cho-Kee note that an important mission of the festival is to pass down culture to the newer generations. “Guyana still exists, come home,” said Cho-Kee ensuring that tourism is also an integral part of learning about the culture.

Sue also added, “we have to keep promoting and teaching and cultivating our culture. That’s the only way we are going to survive and know who we are, we need to know our identity.”

As for the festival in the upcoming years, some more changes are expected. “Next year will be bigger, better and the weather will be wonderful!” said Cho-Kee. As the goal of the Guyana Independence Festival is to grasp a broader reach to the younger Guyanese generations and other cultures within the Toronto community, the organizers ensure that next year’s event will be one you do not want to miss.

Related Topics:community Culture festival Guyana Performers

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The cost of convenience: how much does delivery really cost?

Published

1 day ago

April 25, 2024

TOCaribNews

BY AMARI SUKHDEO

Have you ever been excited to camp-in and order your favourite meal for delivery, only to be taken aback by that bill? That $18 ramen suddenly balloons to $32. Why the hefty price tag? Here’s what’s happening:

Markup mayhem:

When opposed to ordering straight from the restaurant, ordering through delivery apps frequently entails a surreptitious price increase. The menu items found on these platforms are typically more expensive than those found inside. Remarkably, a recent survey found that the cost of things ordered through delivery apps may be up to 26% more than that of items ordered straight from the restaurant. A lot of customers are caught by surprise by this markup, which turns what could have been a relatively inexpensive dinner into a costly affair.

Fee fiasco:

Not only is there a markup, but there are also significant service costs added to the bill. For instance, Uber Eats determines prices based on the quantity of your order, while DoorDash charges a $3 minimum service fee in addition to a 15% service charge. These extra fees have the potential to significantly raise the overall cost of your meal, giving customers the impression that they have been taken advantage of.

Restaurant shares:

It’s not just diners who are experiencing financial hardship. Restaurants face a big competition from delivery apps, which can take up to 30% of their earnings. This is especially true for smaller businesses that depend significantly on delivery services. Restaurants may find it extremely challenging to generate a profit due to the weight of high commissions, given their already extremely narrow profit margins.

A troubling tendency is shown through data: the cost of using delivery apps is progressively going up. Fees have increased to previously unheard-of heights in recent years, leaving many customers unable to pay more for their favourite dishes. For a few, the price hike has caused them to reconsider their dining options.

At home diners, keep in mind that you have to account for the hidden expenses the next time the convenience of a takeaway menu entices you. It’s a story about: delivery workers’ financial struggles, increased rates, and outrageous surcharges. Bon appétit, with caution.

https://www.vox.com/money/24118201/food-delivery-cost-expensive-doordash-ubereats-grubhub

https://www.foodandwine.com/news/delivery-app-prices-higher-fees-2021-pandemic

Junior Contributors

Beneath the waves: Unveiling the legacy of the transatlantic slave trade in the Bahamas

Published

1 day ago

April 25, 2024

TOCaribNews

BY KAHA G. – 15 YEARS OLD

What is archaeology? Archaeology is the study of human history and prehistory through the excavation: of artifacts, structures, and other physical remains. It helps us understand past cultures, societies, and lifestyles by analyzing material culture left behind by ancient civilizations. In this case, archaeologists in the Bahamas have found underwater wrecks of 14 sailing ships involved in the Trans-Atlantic slave trade between Africa and the Americans.

The Bahamas Lost Ships Project, led by Allen Exploration and the Bahamas Maritime Museum, aims to catalog shipwrecks in the Bahamas. They’ve found 596 wrecks so far, dating back to 1657. Also, these findings were published around Black History Month, emphasizing the importance of preserving the experiences of marginalized communities.

The Bahamas’ history is deeply connected to the transatlantic slave trade, with events like the arrival of the first slaving vessels shaping the islands’ population. The wrecks of ships like the Nancy and the General Oglethorpe remind us of the individuals who suffered and resisted enslavement. This research also highlights the Bahamas’ role in the transatlantic slave trade, connecting: Africa, the American Southeast, Cuba, and the Gulf of Mexico. Making it an important trade route for these places.

According to Livescience, the wrecks included the “Peter Mowell which is an American schooner (sailing vessel) that sank off Lynyard Cay near Great Abaco Island in 1860 with about 400 enslaved Africans on board; as well as smaller vessels that carried slaves to plantations for sugar, coffee, cotton and tobacco in North America and around the Caribbean.”

Alongside that, the team of archaeologists, and Allen Exploration have found three wrecks, but their locations are currently undisclosed. The CEO, emphasized the historical significance of these wrecks, noting their importance in understanding the conditions aboard slave ships and the broader history of the slave trade.

Additionally, the type of living conditions of enslaved Black people were atrocious. They lived in miserable huts, which were said to be “Unfit for the habitation of wild beasts.” They wore iron slave collars and worked seven days a week, with just four hours a day of rest in cane-cutting season. Unfortunately, about 10% of enslaved Africans died on the plantations in Cuba each year during the slave trade, and some were even flogged to death.

In conclusion, the discovery of these shipwrecks in the Bahamas sheds light on a significant, yet often overlooked aspect of human history: the transatlantic slave trade. These findings provide valuable insights into the conditions endured by enslaved individuals and the intricate networks that facilitated this cruel trade. As we continue to explore and preserve these historical sites, we honor the resilience and bravery of those who resisted oppression and strive to ensure that their stories are remembered for generations to come.