Calypso and Dramatic Poetry Keep our Culture Alive

-Children’s Mashramani Competition continues

In the many cultural celebrations of Guyana lies a colourful blend of rhythm and words, Calypso and Dramatic Poetry. These traditions have been with us for decades as Calypso and Dramatic Poetry have been vehicles for storytelling, serving as a mirror of what’s happening in society and as a call to action.

The recently held Georgetown leg of the Children’s Mashramani Competition- Calypso and Dramatic Poetry at the National Cultural Centre showcased the lively spirit of our nation’s youth. In alignment with the theme, “Expressing Culture and Creativity as One Guyana”, students from schools across Georgetown performed poems and Calypsos covering topics such as mental health, education, crime, patriotism and unity.

Calypso vs. Dramatic Poetry

Calypso is a staple in Caribbean culture. It is a medium for storytelling and an effective platform for social commentary. In its heyday, Calypsonians like The Mighty Sparrow, Bill Rogers, Lord Canary, Lady Guymine and Dave Martins used this genre to address pressing issues for social change. Although the genre has evolved over the years, Calypso remains a powerful tool for sparking important conversations and shaping public thought.

In contrast to Calypso, Dramatic Poetry commands the stage with raw emotions. This art form is part of Guyana’s rich oral tradition, where stories and ideas are passed down and recited using our colloquialisms, intonations, gestures and other characteristics of our Guyanese cultural expression.

Impact of the Competitions

Chief Judge of the Dramatic Poetry Competition, Ayanna Waddell stated that Dramatic Poetry plays a key and role in the arts. Regarding Calypso on the other hand, Waddell acknowledged that the artform indeed captures the essence of Guyanese culture. She noted, “As time goes by, we tend to lose ourselves and culture. I’m glad that it is there, because we’re losing so much of ourselves to the westerners or the western culture that, kind of, takes us over.” Thus, she is pleased that these competitions promote our culture by teaching it to younger generations.

“If the competition wasn’t there, we won’t be introduced to new talents or see the talents of our students in the whole”.

Nickose Layne, another one of the Dramatic Poetry judges, added that the competitions require the students to do research, “so, they [get] to know something about Guyana”. He continued, “They are going to feel that pride. They’re not going to know everything, but, at least with their piece, they are going to feel some amount of pride in learning more about our country.”

The children’s Mashramani competitions provide a platform for youth to engage with several art forms. Through these competitions, children not only showcase their talent but also connect with their roots. Moreover, art forms like Calypso and Dramatic Poetry encourage them to celebrate our unique cultural identity, advocate for change, and weave their voices into the national story.