Cultural Contributions

Holi

Holi is a national holiday in Guyana. The Season of Holi, or Phagwa, takes place a month before with the planting of Holika. The castor oil plant is burned one month later to commemorate Prahlad’s lengendary devotion to Lord Shiva in the triumph of good over evil. Holi is celebrated by the spraying of colorful powders and water (abrack and abeer) and the singing of special songs, known as Chowtaals.