Mashramani

Mashramani, often referred to as "Mash" is a lively annual festival in Guyana, celebrating the country's transition to a republic in 1970. This vibrant event takes place every year on February 23rd, known as Guyanese Republic Day. Mash is a time for parades, music, games, and delicious food, all commemorating the "Birth of the Republic." The name "Mashramani" is derived from an Amerindian language, meaning "celebration after cooperative work."

This festival is a true reflection of Guyana's rich cultural diversity, uniting all ethnic groups in the country. The festivities include costume competitions, dazzling float parades, energetic masquerade bands, and street dancing to the rhythms of steel band music and calypso. One of the highlights is the calypso and chutney music competitions, where top performers compete for the title of King or Queen of the year.

The origins of Mashramani date back to 1970 when the Jaycees of Linden organized the first celebrations to mark Guyana's new republic status. They chose the name "Mashramani" to replace "Carnival" drawing inspiration from an Amerindian festival tradition. The event was such a success that it quickly became a national celebration, with festivities rotating between Linden, Berbice, and Georgetown.

Mashramani attracts people from all over Guyana, with celebrations extending from Vlissingen and Irving streets to the National Park. The night before the festival, known as Jouvert, features calypso and soca bands leading crowds through the streets from before dawn until sunrise. Though Jouvert has its roots in Trinidad's Carnival, it has become an integral part of Mashramani in Guyana.