Latest update February 17th, 2025 1:24 PM
Jul 09, 2008 News
Brazilians were given a sneak preview of the excitement in Guyana during Carifesta X, when a small delegation of Guyanese performed at that country’s ‘Festa Junina’, in the neighbouring republic, last week.
Responding to an invitation, a small group of Guyanese traveled to the neighbouring country.
The Guyanese delegation included a ten-man Parkside Steel Orchestra, Indian Interpretive Dancer Tameka Dabichand, and model Riah Austin.
Despite the size of the group, the modest cultural representation was enthusiastically received by a massive Brazilian audience.
The Guyanese delegation also paid a brief courtesy call on Guyana’s Consul to Brazil, Paulo Vale, at his office on Benjamin Constant Avenue, Brazil.
Performing in front of thousands in the main arena, the Parkside Steel Orchestra belted out a variety of local, Caribbean and Brazilian tunes.
Not quite familiar with the steel pan instruments, which were officially described as ‘Guiana STEEL DRUMS,’ the audience was visibly thrilled.
Guyanese model, Riah Austin, attracted continuous attention before and during her portrayal of Guyana’s national colours and other costume items, which depicted the composition of Guyana’s multiracial population.
Indian dances by Tameka Dabichand also fascinated the Brazilians, who were delighted at her up-tempo Chutney belly-dance.
As with Miss Austin, Tameka’s authentic Indian costume and accessories also had the Brazilians requesting numerous photo opportunities.
Master-of-Ceremony, Public Relations Consultant, Allan Fenty, through the Consulate’s Deputy, Hanibal Ferreira, explained Carifesta to the audience and invited the Brazilian people to attend the event in August.
He also briefly explained the Guyana-Roraima connections, the night’s programme, music and the other items as the seventy-minute presentation progressed.
So impressive was the distinctive nature of Guyana’s contribution that the city’s Governor, José de Anchieta issued a personal invitation for the small Guyana team to stay on until the festival’s finale.
The Brazilian ‘Festa Junina’ or ‘June Party’ is a traditional June observance which has its origins in Europe.
Essentially, the highlight is the performance of the robust and colourful Quadrilha, which is a type of square dance taken to Brazil by early French settlers.
It is a dramatic, theatrical-type dance telling the story of a village marriage, of celebration for the new crops, and tributes to Saints Anthony, John and Peter.
The modern Festa Junina goes on for days with bonfires, traditional food, drink and music. Dancers of the Quadrilhas are dressed in the most elaborate and colourful costumes.
The Governor of the State of Roraima, Jose de Anchieta and his wife, Sherdan, identified Boa Vista to organise and host the state’s nine-day Festa at the city’s largest public park.
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