Dance Mode: ON

─More than 30 schools compete in National Mashramani contest

The atmosphere at the National Cultural Centre was tense as Primary and Secondary schools in Region 4 battled for position in a stiff dance contest; on day four of the Children’s National Mashramani Competition.

Splashes of green, red, yellow, white and black flashed across the stage when the masqueraders showed off their rhythmic foot movement as the sounds of flutes and drums filled the air.

The audience revelled as characters such as Bam-Bam Sally, the Mad Cow and stilt man staged lively performances.

Morgan’s Learning Centre was dethroned this year by the ‘Graffiti Mob’ from The Bishop’s High School after they delivered a jaw-dropping performance that stunned students, teachers and judges during the Hip-Hop age 14-18 category.

Costumed in worn clothing that was spray-painted in varying colours, Graffiti Mob danced a medley of popular hip-hop songs that had the youth dominated audience out of their seats and demanding an encore. The auditorium fell silent for one heart-stopping moment as the all-male group built a twelve-man pyramid during their performance.

The Bishop’s dance team took home a well-deserved first place win. They were followed by the Government Technical Institute’s ‘Refuel Hip Hop’ in second position and Brickdam Secondary School’s ‘War of the World’ in third.

Coconut tree branches arched into the shape of a doorway, a man positioned in the entry, a bride walking gracefully on soft petals, the couple jumps a broom, these all formed part of the symbolic performance ‘Birth of a New Union’ by Queenstown Secondary. This saw them being awarded first in the 11-13 age group under the Legends and Traditions category.

Nothing could beat Morgan’s Learning Centre’s energetic performance in the age 14-18 Interpretive Dance category. The teens danced to a patriotic song by popular Guyanese artiste Jumo ‘Rubber-Waist” Primo.

To the surprise of the audience, the artiste himself appeared on stage and delivered an energetic performance though visibly injured and supporting his right leg on a crutch.

Sponsors of the activity include Banks DIH, Guyana Post Office, Fireside Grill and Chill, Woodpecker Productions, Beharry Group of Companies, Giftland Office Max, Keith William’s of Herdmanston Lodge and the Ministry of Education.

The celebrations continue tomorrow with the Physical Display and Costume Competition that will decide which other schools make it to the national level.

On Friday, February 7, Nursery Day of Activities is scheduled and will include costumes, dance and poetry.

Today’s winners from first to third according to the categories are as follows:

Masquerade

First

Second

Third

 Age 11-13

 Charlestown Secondary

 Rama Krishna Primary

 Ascension Secondary

 Age 14-18

 Charlestown Secondary

 Lodge Secondary

 Sophia Special School

Hip Hop

First

Second

Third

 Age 11-13

 Richard Ismael Secondary School

 Tucville Secondary School

 Age 14-18

 Bishop’s Secondary School

 Government Technical Institute

 Brickdam Secondary School

Interpretive Dance

First

Second

Third

 Age 11-13

 St. John’s College

 St Stanislaus Secondary School

Lodge Secondary School 

 Age 14-18

 Morgan’s Learning Centre

 Lodge Secondary School

 St. Winifred’s Secondary School

Legends and Traditions

First

Second

Third

 Age 11-13

 Queenstown Secondary

 Carmel Secondary School

 Ketley Primary School

 Age 14-18

 North Georgetown Secondary

 St. Stanislaus Secondary School

 St. John’s College

Religious Beliefs

First

Second

Third

 Age 11-13

 East Ruimveldt Secondary School

 North Georgetown Secondary School

 Morgan’s Learning Centre

 Age 14-18

 Brickdam Secondary School

 St. Joseph High School

 North Ruimveldt Secondary School

Social Commentary

First

Second

Third

 Age 11-13

 Freeburg Secondary School

 Age 14-18

 St. Barnabas Special School

 Source:https://dpi.gov.gy/