NEW VIDEOS BRING BACK VIVID MEMORIES OF ‘LANG TIME’ IN GUYANA
By Lear Matthews
Toffie balls, neverdone sweetie, bruk mout, Chinee cake, fish an’ bread at Mahaicony train station, M.V. Malali…Putagee Tunus, lass lick, Cutex, Kings ground, joiner, de madame, Dem boys fass bad!
These are some of the themes in the two culturally appealing videos focusing on parlance, people and places in Guyana released by Guyanese brothers T. Eric Matthews and Lear Matthews. The recordings bring back some vivid memories of the homeland. The videos entitled, Dis Time Nah Lang Time and Cavalcade of Sport – The Race, have received positive reviews and “likes” from a number of viewers in the Diaspora and at home.
View original post 303 more words
Comments
Viewers’ comments reveal nostalgic and therapeutic value of Guyanese culture — video
By Lear Matthews
This article may be considered as unique in its focus and presentation. It is about viewers’ reaction and comments on the Video, Dis Time Nah Lang Time which seeks to propagate cultural traditions of Guyana through language and pros, narrated by the Matthews’ brothers, Lear and Ted Eric. Reader’s comments are often quite profound, valuable and they contribute to further understanding or debate, but rarely contextualized and assessed. In this article I will share selected readers’ comments, which highlight the video’s nostalgic and therapeutic value.
In a recently published video entitled: Someone took the time to care and this happened (Guyanese Online, 3/8/22), the story of a gentlemen with dementia, which often causes severe depression was narrated by Sam Kinsella. It was both revealing and fascinating. The narrator reported that the patient’s face “lit up” as he reconnected with long term memory through the medium of music.
There were a number of comments on the Matthews brothers’ video. The nostalgic recreation of the past was expressly appreciated and humbling. However, the most intriguing responses were reports of the effect on seniors, some with the on-set of dementia, whose long-term memory seemed to be jolted back in time with ecstatic delight as they watched and listened to the video. We concluded that the video is not only nostalgic, empowering and entertaining, but also therapeutic. It provides a validation therapy as a way of communicating emotions that laid dormant especially for people with memory loss, confusion, disorientation and other symptoms of dementia. It also appears to provide a sort of transnational reconnection for emotional attachment to Guyana.
The following comments were received from viewers via email or posted on Facebook.
My mother who suffers from dementia, appeared depressed, withdrawn and for several months, she sat quietly in her chair, gazing. When I received the video, I decided that I would watch it with her. As she watched, it was as if I ‘got my mother back’. She was laughing, repeated some of what she was hearing in the video and seemed ecstatic. Tears came to my eyes.
I instructed her Nurse’s Aide to have my mother watch that video at least once a week.
The video brought back memories and joy of yesteryear. Nostalgic, amusing and delightful.
A 3rd generation Guyanese immigrant stated: “My grand-father enjoyed the video very, very much, especially the part about the West Coast Berbice bus. He said it brings back so many memories. Thank you. Love it.
The spoken word reinforces our cultural values. Many of us have not heard the language of Guyanese roots in a long time. You made us happy. Your outstanding story telling is a great gift for many of us across generations, Nostalgia stepped in.
What a wonderful, nostalgic experience! I laughed ‘till I cried. It took me way back to a place I missed so much…. All Guyanese, young and elderly should see it “.
Oh My God! The Race made me cry. I was instantly back home.
This is needed during the Pandemic. All Guyanese should see it. ain’t hear dem tings in a long time. Excellent! All Guyanese should see it. The two brothers saluted the rhyming form at various points in the video on our beloved land of many waters.
Anytime I feel homesick, I watch this video. It is like therapy for me. I laugh so hard at some of the sayings I haven’t heard in ages.
Wonderful memories! Great history! Thank you! Love it! My wife laughed so hard, she fell off the dining room chair.
I don’t normally send out Links. However, this almost brought tears to my eyes and is worth sharing. You should share it with those you know and who understand the content. Stay sharp!
What a wonderful, uplifting experience I had viewing your video! You and your brother did amazing research to capture the vocabulary, culture, milieu and cadence of mid-century Guyana.
Just want you to know that the stories you are telling resonate with Americans, our friends in close association with us. They are enjoying the stories.
I will explain to my adult children what it is to “get spot”. I recommend this video to all Guyanese at home and abroad. The challenge ahead for you and Ted perhaps is to explain/illustrate the nuggets of culture shared in the DVD so that the younger generations can best relate.
I lost my Dad nearly six years ago. Listening to you two amazing men was like listening to him. This video is a gift.
I remember dem times. Oh Gosh! Wishing for those days again! Guyana, lift your head up high
for your integrity and pray that we get back there soon. Power must change hands.
I remember some tings of those times growing up in Charlestown. OMG! I remember plenty of these events. I was born in Belmont, Mahaica.
WOW! OH Beautiful Guyana. I remember some of that stuff. Good memories.
Where can I get a copy of the video you lauded in the above article