Grade Six Social Studies
Happy New Year Boys and Girls!
I know you had a wonderful end-of-year break, and you were able to get some relaxation and recreation. I wish you perfect health and strength and wisdom in this New Year. As you know we are closer to the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) which means you must be very committed to your academic studies, that is the only way you would be successful. I am very confident that you will dedicate yourself fully because you understand the importance of education.
Stay safe!
Topic: National Holidays in Guyana
Subtopic: Religious and Non-Religious National Holidays in Guyana
Specific Learning Outcomes:
• Identify the types of religious holidays in Guyana.
• Examine non-religious national holidays in Guyana.
In our last lesson we started examining the National Holidays in Guyana. We discussed that holidays maybe classified as follows:
1. National religious holidays which are observed by the three main religious groups in Guyana.
2. National holidays which have no religious significance, but which are linked to some aspect of Guyana’s history.
We discussed the National Religious Holidays celebrated by Christians. -Christmas, St. Stephen’s Day or Boxing Day
- Good Friday and Easter
Let’s Look at Hinduism!
The followers of Hinduism are called Hindus. They worship in a building called a temple and they believe in the supreme beings such as Lord Rama, Lord Krishna and Lord Shiva and others. Each of these supreme beings is of special significance to the Hindu.
Fact/ Tip: Hinduism Holy Books are Called Vedas.
Let’s Identify The Hindu Religious Festivals
Diwali, also known as Deepavali or the Festival of Lights, is one of the most important festivals in Indian religions. It symbolizes the spiritual "victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance". The festival is widely associated with conflagrations between good and evil entities.
This is one of the most colourful festivals in Guyana. It is often called the ‘Festival of Lights’ and observed during October- November. The actual date depends on the sighting of the new moon.
This Festival celebrates the return of Lord Rama after fourteen (14) years of exile in the forest. The people of his Kingdom rejoiced at his return and lit tiny lights along his pathway from the forest to his palace.
In Guyana the festival is characterized by prayer and fasting, cleaning of homes and the partaking of tasty homemade sweetmeats, which include parsad, mithai, sweet rice and others.
Deyas are lighted and the twinkling deyas are displayed on windowsills, along the steps to the gateway and every other place possible.
Vocabulary Building
Deya (lamp), or diya, a type of lamp often used during Diwali.
Let’s Look At Phagwah or Holi!
PHAGWAH OR Holi is a sacred ancient tradition of Hindus, a holiday in many states of India and Nepal with regional holidays in other countries. To many Hindus and some non-Hindus, it is a playful cultural event and an excuse to throw coloured water at friends or strangers in jest. It is also observed broadly in the Indian subcontinent. Holi is celebrated at the end of winter, on the last full moon day of the Hindu luni-solar calendar month marking the spring, making the date vary with the lunar cycle. The date falls typically in March, but sometimes late February of the Gregorian calendar.
The festival has many purposes; most prominently, it celebrates the beginning of Spring. In 17th century literature, it was identified as a festival that celebrated agriculture, commemorated good spring harvests and the fertile land. Hindus believe it is a time of enjoying spring's abundant colours and saying farewell to winter. To many Hindus, Holi festivities mark an occasion to reset and renew ruptured relationships, end conflicts and rid themselves of accumulated emotional impurities from the past.
It also has a religious purpose, symbolically signified by the legend of Holika. The night before Holi, bonfires are lit in a ceremony known as Holika Dahan (burning of Holika) or Little Holi People gather near fires, sing and dance. The next day, Holi, also known as Dhuli in Sanskrit, or Dhulheti, Dhulandi or Dhulendi, is celebrated.
In Guyana, children and youth spray coloured powder solutions (gulal) at each other, laugh and celebrate, while adults smear dry coloured powder (abir) on each other's faces. Visitors to homes are first teased with colours, then served with Holi delicacies (such as puranpoli, dahi-bada and gujia), desserts and drinks. After playing with colours, and cleaning up, people bathe, put on clean clothes, and visit friends and family.
Let’s Look at Islam!
The followers of Islam are called Muslims. They worship in a building called a Mosque or Masjid. They believe in a Supreme Being called Allah (God) and that Muhammed is his last Prophet. Their holy book is called the Holy Q’uran.
Let’s Identify Islamic Religious Holidays!
• Eid-ul-Fitr
Observed after the month of fasting called Ramadan. During this time, Muslims fast between sunrise and sunset. It is a period when the Muslim tries to think clean thoughts and purify his mind. At the end of the month of Ramadan, there is feasting with special dishes prepared for this occasion and visits made to family and friends.
Eid-ul-Adha
This is a festival of sacrifice. Muslims believe that Abraham, the prophet was told by Allah to sacrifice his only son Ishmael as proof of his love for Allah that is God. He was stopped by an Angel and a Ram was sacrificed instead. Muslims offer prayers and sacrifice animals in memory of the great sacrifice Abraham was prepared to make. The meat is shared among the poor, friends, neighbours and relatives. This festival comes at the end of the pilgrimage of Mecca in Saudi Arabia.
Youman Nabi
Celebrates the birth anniversary of the Prophet Muhammad, to whom the holy Q’uran was revealed.
Fact/Tip: Hindu and Muslim holidays depend upon the sighting of a particular phase of the moon, consequently there are no exact dates for their observances.
NON-RELIGIOUS NATIONAL HOLIDAY IN GUYANA!
Mashramani Day (February 23)
This is celebrated in observance of the anniversary of Guyana’s Republican status. Mashramani is an Amerindian word meaning, “Celebration after hard cooperative work.” It is observed by all Guyanese and is characterized by calypso and steel band competitions, children's costume competitions, floats and costume bands, parades and Masquerade bands competition. Buildings are gaily decorated with buntings and flags. Some of these are also brightly lit.
A Flag-Raising ceremony is usually held on the night of the February 22 and the president of the Republic addresses the nation.
Labour Day or Workers’s Day (MAY 01)
This is a special day for all workers who unite in solidarity under their trade unions and march through the streets. On this day, the workers remember Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow, the father of trade unionism in Guyana. Labour Day parades usually culminate with a rally at the National Park where union leaders use the opportunity to press for better working conditions. They call for a closer relationship between employers and employees, better health standards and living wages. The head of state also addresses the workers.
Fact/Tip: Labour Day has its origins in the labour union movement, specifically the eight-hour day movement, which advocated eight hours for work, eight hours for recreation, and eight hours for rest.
ARRIVAL DAY
Is observed on 5th May annually. It marks the date on which the first batch of East Indian indentured immigrants arrived in this country on the H.M.S. Whitby and H.M.S Hesperus. The East Indians mark this occasion by holding religious and cultural functions.
CARICOM DAY (JULY 04)- ALSO CALLED CARIBBEAN DAY
This is usually observed on the first Monday in July in observance of the anniversary of the formation of Caricom.
FACT/TIP: The Caribbean Community is an intergovernmental organisation that is a political and economic union of 15 member states throughout the Americas and Atlantic Ocean.
INDEPENDENCE DAY
This is observed on 26th may annually. On 26 May 1966, Guyana gained its independence from Britain. This holiday is marked by a flag raising ceremony. The week during which the anniversary falls is dedicated to the youths of the country, and it has been termed youth week.
NEW YEAR’S DAY
This the first day of the year, January 1, and is a national holiday in Guyana. On the night of New Year's Eve some people attend church services. Others go to parties. This night is known as Old Year’s night. People welcome the new year by blowing whistles and bursting balloons. fireworks displays are also held. On the day itself, families gather for special celebrations. There is much eating, drinking and merry making.
Hope you had fun learning about our National Holidays! Until next time, bye boys and girls!