Today marks a full 365 days around the sun; for many, it’s definitely a big deal, especially because of all that has happened in the world over the last few years. New Year’s Eve, or “old year’s day in Guyana,” is a celebration of gratitude for life at the end of the year. The festivities consistently pour into the New Year as people usher in the start of a new chapter.
As custom would have it, it starts with New Year’s Eve house cleaning, cooking cook-up in any of its many variations, and spending time with family during the day, and then the conventional old year’s night church service that rings in the new year. The celebration is followed by meet-ups with friends and family at parties or get-togethers for simple enjoyment and good company.
Typically, the Christmas celebration in Guyana ends on January 6th of the following year, so the entire month of December into January is packed with merriments. In a Guyanese household, most people have their meats and other knick knacks ready to throw in their pot and create the tasty traditional cook-up rice to get things started.
Speaking with some local and overseas-based Guyanese today, they shared some of what they’ll be doing for New Year’s Eve and words of encouragement to start the new year on the right foot.
Cook-up rice “I was in Guyana a few weeks ago, and I told myself that this year I really want this Guyanese cook-up, so I went to the bourda market and got my lil pigtail, lil tripe, married man poke, pigeon peas, and other lil fine things. I picked up some other stuff over here in Brooklyn and got all I needed to make this cook-up rice the right way for old year’s night.”
Colette Cross“I started my old year’s day house cleaning, and all I have to do now is get my pot going. I’m also making another set of garlic pork and anything I finish from Christmas. What we had for Christmas we are having for the new year. To people, life is short, and we all have to live with love and unity .”
As a simple reminder, Colette reminded us that life is fragile and we should live life like it’s the last day, everyday. “Pray a lot, have faith in God. My advice to people is to want more of God and live in unity. I wish I could spend old year’s day in Guyana, but one day I will go back to spend a Guyanese Christmas and new year with friends and family.”
Nekisha and Chris Hall“As an overseas-based Guyanese family, we try to keep most of our traditions alive and even create new ones. It’s a big part of who we are. We want to share those same traditions with our children. Similarly, if we were spending old year’s day in Guyana, we do our house cleaning, cook the traditional cook-up rice, and have a nice family time. Just being thankful for life and all of God’s daily mercies- As we head into a new year, we want to encourage you to set your goals, prioritize your health, and put God at the center of what you do. All the best for the new year.”
Jermine Hodge“Over the years, my New Year’s Eve tradition shifted a bit. It began with preparing the traditional cook-up for old year’s night while preparing for church. This changed over time, and I decided to create some new traditions by closing off the year with childhood friends in a different form of celebration, whether a small gathering, hanging out at a social event, or just simply catching up on memories.”
Hodge encouraged people to be thankful for their little or many things and appreciate life as they enter a new year. “We’ve been chosen out of many to proceed into the next chapter. A chance to see another 365 days. Feel honored and be safe.”
Dorothy Bradshaw “For me, when it comes to ushering in the new year, I would do the regular cook-up rice with my pigeon peas or black-eyed peas, salt-beef, regular beef, chicken foot, pigtail, some callaloo, and a nice garden salad, and some juice to go along with the food and at midnight a little wine and watch the fireworks and by then everyone shouting on Facebook and wishing you well.”
She said, “My encouragement to friends and family is to give God thanks for the past year and see God come through even better. Build your faith and renew the mind. Focus on a goal and strengthen your faith in God in everything you do.”
Kawise Wishart“Keeping the tradition alive has proven to be a bit difficult because it’s a new way of life living overseas, but I do make sure that I cook my cook-up and usher in the new year praying.”
My advice for this new chapter is to keep hope alive and never give up on anything you aim to achieve; life isn’t just about saying what you want to do or accomplish. It’s about setting goals and going after them. Even if you encounter obstacles, KEEP PUSHING, and remember to be thankful for every day. Life is way too short.”
So, in essence, aside from the fireworks, food, and jubilation for the old year’s day in Guyana, having had the opportunity to have made it to the end of the year is a blessing. Whether you keep traditions alive or make new ones, the idea is gratitude! As we step foot into the start of a brand-new year, let us steer ahead with purpose, full of life and gratefulness. Let us be our brothers and keep and be more kind to each other as we ring in the start of a new chapter in our lives.