Guyana’s Archives February 11, 2022
This is the place that holds our history. Next time you’re in Georgetown, check it out and find out about your roots.
On Line Funeral – Yoland Crandon-Geddes February 2, 2022
This past weekend I attended an online funeral for my cousin Ellis Verbeke daughter of Mabel Verbeke. they lived by the ball field and Sase Narine rice factory. It was the first time I attended such a funeral and I was grateful for new technology that can connect us from all corners. I was moved because it was my cousin’s 47 year old daughter Yoland Crandon Geddes who lived in the USA. The body was taken back to Guyana for burial. It was nice to see fmily members whom I did not see for more than 30 years. Once we started talking it was as if we were back in Phoenix sharing memories. That was beautiful but when the coffin was being closed I felt as if I was there and that was very hard. It was a lonely feeling not being there in person and being able to hug everyone. When you leave your home country where all your family is you miss a lot of stuff.
Yoland migrated to Brooklyn to be with her loving husband but not long after fell ill and passed away. Who sends for the love of his life while living with another woman? Sounds like a mystery to be solved.
A great story about Leguan By Rajkumar Singh July 10, 2021
Leguan – paradise steeped in rich history, a true country beauty with very many hospitable people. The menfolk find comfort during their leisure time in the many rum shops while the ladies enjoy the fire-side preparing hot fresh meals. Dhol and Rice with Chicken Curry and Cook-Up are the most popular dishes on the island.’Leguan has the shape of a gull’s wing with a size of about 29 square kilometres and a population of about 3,000 residents. This island is one of the northern islands in the delta of the Essequibo River. The other islands are Wakenaam and further north, off the Essequibo Coast is Tiger Island.When the first Dutch settlers reached the island in the early 18th century, they found “tons” of iguanas in the trees. Yes, the island got its name after the iguana, Leguan Island. The iguana is still hunted to this day; delicious meat, especially the female ones with their eggs. Anyone, anytime, can go and hunt iguanas and it is the fear of many that a day will come when iguana will be extinct from the island, leaving just its name as memory.As mentioned above, the first settlers arrived in the 18th century from the Netherlands and were later followed by other settlers from France, England, British West Indies and Belgium; they cut the trees and planted indigo, oranges, cocoa and other fruits, but also vegetables and in the later years’ sugar cane. Slaves were bought and shipped to Leguan, primarily to dig trenches and build sea walls. Also, to plant and reap sugar cane. Today, the island is dominated with rice farming, cash crop farming and rearing of cattle as economic activities.An aerial view of Leguan Island Stelling.Map of Leguan Island.In 1994, the rice was threshed by hands because the government-owned combine (and a private one) broke and subsequently became operable. The last pieces of the government-owned combine are still to be found today on the roadside. It is much different now for almost every rice farmer now has their own equipment and several combines are on the island making work much easier.The island has six rice mills/factories, five primary schools and one secondary school. The building of the Leguan NDC office in Enterprise is one of the oldest buildings on the island, a bit antiquated.Many churches, mandirs and mosques are found on the Island with the Saint Peter’s Anglican Church (1855) being the most famous. It is in Enterprise, only a short distance away from the Leguan Stelling. The foundation stone for the church was laid by Lieutenant Governor Walker on August 1, 1853, and two years later, on St Peter’s Day, July 29, 1855, His Lordship, Bishop William Piercy Austin consecrated the church in the presence of the Governor, P. E. Wodehouse and other prominent individuals.The St Peter’s Church and the separately standing, leaning bell tower are regarded as the finest brick structures constructed in Guyana in this time. The church, with its tiled sanctuary, asphalted floor, architectural rafters and stained windows, is now under renovation. It is expected that the church will be opened to the public, at the end of this year.Another remarkable site on the island is the 52 foot (15.8 m) high Lord Hanuman statue (Murti). The Murti, located on the site of the Rama Krishna Mandir in Blenheim, was consecrated on November 6, 2016, by Pandit Sunil Sharma. Present were the then Minister of Social Cohesion, Amna Ally and Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson.When Henry Bolingbroke, Esq, Deputy Vendue Master at Suriname visited the island of Leguan in 1809 he wrote, “The appearance of the island is truly pleasing from the water, a sandy beach ensures a good landing, the roads are finely shaded with orange and cocoa-nut trees, and indeed, the whole being so beautifully laid out, has the appearance of a gentleman’s pleasure ground.”On the western shore of Leguan, there were some beautiful beaches; most of which have disappeared naturally, others through the break-up of groynes in the 1970s. Today, there are only four beaches: the High Sand Beach near the village of Uniform on the North-Western shore of the island, the Dauntless Beach near Canefield on the North Eastern shore, and small beaches in Waterloo and Phoenix which appears only at low tide.The Dauntless Beach is arguably the best and has its own history, which many Guyanese don’t know until today. Vincent Roth wrote in his book ‘A Trip on the Baridi’ (1907): “… Many years ago, a sloop named Dauntless ran on a mudflat at low tide off Leguan, and, as she could not be floated again, she was abandoned… This grew rapidly as more mud was deposited by the tides, until … it joined on to the neighbouring island of Leguan…”Until today, it is unknown in which year exactly, the sloop Dauntless grounded and in which year Dauntless Beach joined the Island of Leguan. The Dauntless Island was already mentioned on the Covens and Mortier map in 1798. That means that the sloop Dauntless grounded in the early years of the 18th century, or even in the 17th century.As is it now, Leguan has 100 per cent asphaltic road, a functioning Cottage Hospital, a plantain chip factory, a modernized guest house, police station, post office and a Regional Sub-Office. It is also home to the longest wooden stelling, in Guyana, which will undergo repair works soonest.The most renowned politician that was born and bred on the island is the late Winston Shripal Murray who once served our country as Deputy Prime Minister. In memory of Murray, yearly softball cricket competitions are held because he was a lover of cricket.Travelling to Leguan is strictly by boat. Lady Sandaka is the big boat that transports vehicles and people on and off the island and a number of speedboats also ply the mighty Essequibo River at a cost of $500. Leguan is a true country beauty with very many hospitable people. The menfolk find comfort during their leisure time in the many rum shops while the ladies enjoy the fire-side preparing hot fresh meals. Dhol and Rice with Chicken Curry and Cook-Up are the most popular dishes on the island.Leguan is a place to visit for lovers of historic sites and lovely country life. Words do no justice to this paradise, vis (Copied from Friends of Leguan without permission)
The Pandit who Lived in Phoenix March 26, 2021
I am trying to remember the name of the pandit and his wife. They were beautiful, peaceful people. It’s the one yard I did not raid for mangoes as a chld. I was afraid of the jandies (the ceremonial flags in the front yard). I associated that with spirits or jumbie that can catch and latch on to you if you tried to steal their mangoes. (LOL) The pandit often wore a dhoti. He rarely wore ordinary clothes. His wife wore ordinary clothes except when they have ceremonies she wore saris. Fill me in here please..
What’s going on in the World January 13, 2021
I feel as it the world equilibrium has tilted a little and things are falling apart and we cannot stop it until these things have fallen and settled on its own.
Many people curse the pandemic but not me. You do not curse a teacher, you learn from teachers. The pandemic is a teacher. It has taught us many things about the way we live. It taught us that the way we live is unsustainable and that we depef on each other for survival. It has taught us that rights are not allotted in a vacuum. It come with conditions. It taught us individual rights come with responsibility to the community at large and individual rights must constantly balance with those other rights. And also that the rights we think we have can be taken away just lie that. The pandemic has taught us to slow down and smell the fresh snow and that the wide outdoor is still available to enjoy instead of sitting in front of your particular brand of social media. The pandemic has taught us that the traditional crafts and arts such as cooking and baking for our families could be fun and be enjoyed as a family activity creating wonderful memories to cherish for a lifetime. It has also taught parents that they do not have to be afraid of being cooped up with their children as it has taught them to appreicate the precious time they can spend with their childre and surprisingly for many children are much calmer and pleasant under the watchful eyes of their parents. What to a gift.
There are so many gifts and my advice to everyoe is to embrace it with love rather than curse it. Cursing it will only make you more miserable. Follow the guidelines of the professionals, if not for you, for your neighbour.
Finally let us adopt the poweful African philosophy of Ubuntu, a Bantu word which defines what it means to be truly human. According to Ubuntu, we affirm our humanity when we acknowledge that of others. We cannot go wrong.
Thinking of Leguan and the COVD19 April 5, 2020
I am a Leguanite through and through and although I do not have as many family members as I did when I was growing up there I still care about what happens to my Island. I am hoping that being surrounded by water will protect my people.. It is easy to curtail the number of visitors.
I want to emphasize, this is not something to play with. This virus is deadly and has killed close to 60,000 people world wide and it is not finished yet.
You must follow the protocols set out by the professionals and experts in the field: Keep your distance from other at least six feet. Avoid crowds, stay home, cough or sneeze in your sleeves. Wear a scarf, handkerchief, bandana over your mouth and nose when you go outside. If you feel sick do not mingle with others. Stay indoors. If you follow these simple instructions you will drastically reduce your risk of getting this virus or passing it on to someone else.
Please be safe act responsibly and take this time of isolation to get to know you better.
Love you all.
True Leguanites – Herman and Lynette Austin February 3, 2019
If you know Papa and Rita Austin you know Herman. He married his childhood sweetheart Lynette and they lived happily every after. They must be one of the oldest couples in Phoenix Leguan. Herman was a star batsman on Phoenix Team when he was younger and Lynette, well she was always shy and a behind the scene kind of person but she loved her man to bits.
I grew up in their yard a lot and did a lot of errand for mama Rita her mother in law. Lynette was always a kind and generous spirit and we got along well.
I remembere them with fondness. I am sure they are one of the oldest couples in the village. God bless them.
Indo-Guyanese-Mexican on Canadian Idol March 30, 2018
Congratulations to Alyssa and as Guyanese we are gonna be cheering for you. Proud Guyanese!
My Island Leguan Blog 