Is Phagwah a Jouvert in Sisters Village, West Bank Demerara?

Feb 12, 2025 Letters

Dear Editor,

I am writing to bring awareness regarding activities hosted on the day of Phagwah in the community of Sister’s Village, West Bank Demerara. I was at a local business within the community and I saw a flyer with the slogan “WET YUH FRONT” hosted on 14th March 2025. I found it distasteful, so I questioned the business owner about the activity. I also asked the opinions of my colleagues and residents of the village who are of different religious backgrounds, and they shared the same sentiment as me; it is disrespectful of anyone to host an activity of such on the day of Phagwah.

In 2024, President of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha and Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, stated that we should respect and preserve Phagwah celebrations. However, an activity named “Wet yuh front” is not preserving or respecting the holiday and its history. It is utterly disgusting that such activity is being promoted on a day when Hindus celebrate “good triumph over evil”. The flyer is not the worst. There was a video advertisement featured on Facebook and the promoters emphasized “enjoy the day with girls”. It is sickening. Historically, Lord Krishna applied powder on Radha, he did not whine or grind on random women, he did not attend parties on the day of Holi. Why is the celebration of Phagwah becoming like this?

Guyanese, over the years, will consume alcohol on Phagwah days and visit the houses of other Guyanese to throw water and powder on each other, which is much more decent than the activity called “wet yuh front”, which mostly sexualizes the celebration of Phagwah. Phagwah has been celebrated at the stadium over the years too. However, the celebration is more of unity and love, in keeping with the values of Phagwah. I never went to the celebration at Albouystown, so I cannot speak of such. However, I’ve never seen flyers promoting Albouystown activity with any sexualizing slogan like ‘wet yuh front”. Over the years, people frequented Albouystown and the stadium to celebrate or, in other words, play phagwah and not with the intention of “getting girls” like the activity being promoted by the event organizers in sister’s village, West Bank Demerara.

Growing up in Sister’s Village, people from different religious backgrounds celebrate together and respect the day. There has never been such vulgar activity promoted, until now. Local businesses that sponsored this activity, Disc jockeys and promoters that are partaking in this activity should be held accountable and offer an apology to the Hindu community. I hope this letter reaches someone who has the authority to cancel this disrespectful event.