N&S Mattai; a proud legacy of cultural entrepreneurship for more than seventy years

Jul 11, 2024 Letters

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Dear Editor,

The year, 1851, marked the resumption of indentured labourers to British Guiana and that lasted till 1917. It was during this time that the parents of Nuckshed arrived in British Guiana from India as Indentured labourers– their only name given was Mattai.

Mattai and his wife [name unknown], gave birth to a son named Nuckshed, who was born in British Guiana. The entire family found their way to Uitvlugt Estate, West Coast Demerara. The family eventually travelled to Hague Backdam West Coast Demerara, where they used up all their savings to purchase a rice mill, this rice mill was a promising venture since many rice farmers were cultivating rice. Papa Mattai used all his savings on this venture that is where N&S Mattai was conceived.

For years, even after the passing of Nuckshed’s parents, the family’s legacy formed part of the foundation of Indian cultural entrepreneurship in Guyana. N&S Mattai was the first company in Guyana to import Indian foods, spiced pickles, seasoning, and snacks catering to the growing Indian national community, as well as the wider Guyanese population.

Mattia’s continues to lead the market in this area. In fact, on entering the new establishment, customers are met with the ‘Spice Market’, designed to resemble a time old market ‘souk’. It is brought to life by the aroma of various spices displayed against wooden shelves and jute bags. It is this touch that reaffirms the family’s claim over their history and inherent cultural pride.

Officially launched in 1949, N&S Mattai & Company was with the open of a stall in Stabroek Market. This was a bold and risky move, but Nuckshed and his wife appreciated that great numbers of shoppers in the market meant greater opportunities to do business.

Stabroek Market was the premiere shopping mall in British Guiana in those days.  The family worked tirelessly to supply groceries to the shoppers. Their hard work paid off as the business steadily grew. The Mattais moved from owning one stall to having several stalls in Stabroek Market.

In the 1960s, Nuckshed was able to achieve his dream of owning his own store on Water Street, a location which was epitome of the business community in British Guiana. He purchased the building located at 4A Water & Hope Streets, where N&S Mattai and Company still exists today.

However, it is important to note that though they had their store, the couple’s business remained rooted in the Stabroek Market for several years. Nuckshed often managed seven stalls in Stabroek Market, while his wife Shamdayee managed the business in Water Street.

In the 1970s and 1980s Nuckshed and Shamdayeen Mattai along with many Guyanese faced incredible difficulty –food items were either scarce or banned.

I can testify to that, because from 1983, I started my own business as a trader between Trinidad and Guyana. As a result of the hardship, the couple made the decision to move with their children to Canada.

Continuing the calculated commercial drive for success, during this time, the family still managed to run N&S Mattai and Company in Guyana.  Their son stayed in Guyana for months to run the store on a shift system, while Nuckshed and Shamdayee regularly travelled to Guyana to ensure the business quality and service continued.

In 1994, soon after the passing of Nuckshed, his third son Harry retuned to Guyana with his wife Bharati and their three children, to run the business full time.

On returning to Guyana, Mr. Harry Mattai was able to demolish the existing building in Water Street and construct a new building.

Over the years, additional stories have been added to create the extensive building that now sits on Water and Hope Streets. Mattai’s – The Food Market stand across from it,  is a nod to continuity,  a belief in progression and loyalty to a country that has provided a life for each if its generations. But these buildings are just the beginning of many expansions to come in the next few years.

Today, Harry and Bharati Mattai are proud to add to the success of the family legacy as N&S Mattai and Company continues to stand proudly as a testament to the power or hard work, determination, and prayer. Anyone who spends five minutes with Harry and Bharati can plainly witness the contentment they feel by living the legacy and carrying on the family’s name and traditions.

As if mirroring family succession, Harry and Bharati’s son, Suraj has joined the business full time, bringing a sense of modernity and current technological trends, while their daughters, Indira and Kiran remain involved in an effort to market, create and build on the family legacy.

Taking pride in serving its customer base, N&S Mattai and Company has lasted over the last 70 years.  From humble beginnings, the legacy of N&S Mattai & Company has grown into the premier ‘Food Marker’ in Guyana- and one of the oldest wholesaler and retailer of food products in the country.

Sincerely,

Frank De Abreu

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• British Guiana, Demerara, entrepreneurship, Frank De Abreu, N&S Mattai

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