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Phagwah in Guyana
Phagwah (or Holi) is a spring time festival celebrated by Hindus in India and countries with large Indian populations which includes Guyana and Trinidad.
On the day of celebration, observers traditionally wear white clothing and throw harmless coloured water and powder at each other called Abeer or Gulal. Phagwah is a celebration of the triumph of good over evil. It can traced back to Hindu lore of the King Hiranyakasyapu who attempted to kill his son, prince Prahlad. The boy was saved on each attempt by Lord Vishnu’s blessings. The King’s sister, Holika (Holi derives from her name) eventually tries to kill the prince as well by leading him into a fire. According to the lore, Holika was immune to fire, but she perished to ashes and the Prince came out alive.
Phagwah is celebrated on the last full moon of winter, usually at the end of February or start of March. It also heralds the beginning of spring. Phagwah will be observed in Guyana on March 19th.
And now for pictures:
President of Guyana, Bharat Jagdeo and Donald Ramoutar playing during Phagwah celebrations last year 2010.
Phagwah in Alexander Village
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Official Name
The Co-operative Republic of Guyana. Georgetown is the capital city.
National Symbols
Population
Approximately 751,223 (Census 2002) of which 90% live along the coastal strip and banks of the three major rivers. The ethnic composition of the population is as follows:
- East Indian 43.5%
- Black (African) 30.2%
- Mixed 16.7%
- Amerindian 9.1%
- Other 0.5%
Location
North East of South America between 1o & 9o North Latitude and 57o & 61o West Longitude, bordering Venezuela to the West, Brazil to the South, Suriname to the East.
Language
The official language is English. Often spoken with a Caribbean Creole flavour. Guyana is also the only English speaking country in South America.
Government
Guyana became independent from Britain in 1966 and a “Cooperative Republic in 1970, when a non executive President replaced the Governor-General. A new constitution in 1980 gave the President wide executive powers. The Cabinet is headed by the President, and there is a 65-member National Assembly elected by proportional representation.
President: Bharat Jagdeo
Prime Minister: Samuel Hinds
Other information
Currency: Guyana Dollar
Time Zone: GMT – 04:00
Area: 214,970 km2 or 83,000 sq mi
Country Code: 592
We drive on the left side of the road.
hi everyone phagwha waas awsome in guyana looking foward to seeing more of it mwah
hey guys i like the way you guys spend your phagwah in Guyana, i just wish if i was there. i was guyana berbice #2 village. i’m no longer there now i’m in the u.s. now. It will be great if your guys reply back. Guyana is the nicest country i have ever know.
HAPPY PHAGWAH TO ALL OF YOU!!!
kamelia the best phagwah is always #2 village, in 70s ,80s even now. home will always be home.
Algoo