MASHING RIVALS

The floats that pass are all followed by a sea of people all supporting whatever group/company/sponsor they march behind. They all dress in the same costume and march and dance together.

The biggest corporate rivalry underway in Guyana is the introduction of a new cell phone company, Digicell. Their supporters marched in red behind a float called "The Red Storm" to promote Digicell products and services.

Their competitor is Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T for short) who marched under the slogan "Blue Power" with a soca song blaring playing the same message. Here you can see one of the small floats that was pulled by hand behind one of the costumed dancers.

There's a lot of energy on the streets mash day - and it intensifies discussions between rival consumers in the crowd - you should hear people argue about which service is best. And the cell phone is an omnipresent and essential feature in nearly every Guyanese home - even the ones who live in the poorer areas find the money to own a phone, or even two (One from EACH company, purchased in the middle of the promotions and deals!).