By RON FANFAIR
Asked to deliver the thank you speech in Creole after an arts group celebration in Guyana over 50 years ago, Pauline ‘Auntie Comesee’ Thomas was besieged with requests to use a mixture of different languages more often.
A radio station even allotted her space for a show that aired three times a week in the 1970s.
“When I started doing Auntie Comesee, one of my friends asked, ‘Why must Pauline get on like that?” recounted Thomas who will celebrate her 104th birthday next February. “My argument was and still is that we should not discourage Creolese. It is an important means of communication that should be understood and employed when necessary. If a woman goes to the doctor and she says, ‘Doctor, meh foot hurting me’, he would start to look at an area below her ankle. In Creolese, she means the whole leg.”
The centenarian, who resides in a long-term care home in the Greater Toronto Area, was conferred with an Honorary Doctorate of Excellence in Arts & Letters by the University of Guyana on November 8.
“Thanks a million for this honour,” she said in the virtual acceptance speech. “Having spent a lot of time and effort training and singing as a Classical Sopranist, I can’t believe that it is Comesee who gets the nod for just studying our people. I noted their mannerisms, gestures and language.”
In the citation, Bonita Hunter, Deputy Dean in the Faculty of Education & Humanities, said Thomas’ childhood upbringing marked by Guyana’s vibrant cultural heritage laid the foundation for her stellar work in the arts and advocacy.
“She used her talent as a storyteller, comedian and singer to shape the cultural landscape of Guyana,’ she said. “She is a living legend whose name resonates deeply within the realms of storytelling, folklore and cultural preservation. Her legacy has not only enriched the artistic community in Guyana but has also influenced the Diaspora.”
Through her extensive work in the performing arts, Thomas was a popular cultural personality in Guyana before migrating to Canada.
“Her captivating performances at the Theatre Guild set a standard for stage acting in the country, earning her widespread admiration for her ability to blend humour, pathos and cultural nuances in her roles,” Hunter said. “Her mastery of the craft was evident as she brought to life stories that reflected the daily life struggles and humour of ordinary Guyanese people.”
However, it was the creation of the character, Auntie Comesee in the 1970s, that solidified Thomas’ status as a national icon.
Her creole skits were aired three times a week on the since defunct Guyana Broadcasting Corporation.
“These radio programs were merely not entertainment,” Hunter said. “They were a celebration of Guyanese language, identity and resilience. Each episode of her Creolese comedy program was eagerly anticipated by thousands of listeners who tuned in to hear her witty take on social issues all delivered in distinct and melodic rhythms of the Guyanese Creole language. Her talent for using humour to shed light on societal issues was unparalleled. Her performances captured the essence of Guyanese experiences, making people laugh while provoking thoughtful reflection.
“As a storyteller, Pauline Thomas stands as one of the most influential figures in preserving Guyanese folklore. She emphasized that Guyanese Creolese, though often marginalized, should be cherished and shared with the world.
“She used her influence to accompany this and extended her voice far beyond the confines of the studio or stage, leaving an indelible mark on how Guyanese stories are told and valued, affirming the significance. Without a doubt, she showcased her versatility and commitment to the arts, creating a lasting impact on the people with whom she communicated.
“Her powerful voice, honed through years of dedication and passion, not only delighted audiences, but served as a symbol of Guyanese excellence in the arts…Her voice, once a staple in Guyanese households, now serves as a symbol of resilience, cultural pride and a transformative power of art.”
The legacy of her work can be found in the Guyanese Languages Unit which is part of the University of Guyana Department of Language and Cultural Studies.
“Language is deeply tied to how we make our way in the world, how we relate to each other and to the landscapes that give us life,” said Dr. Alissa Trotz who teaches Caribbean Studies at New College and Caribbean and Women & Gender Studies at the University of Toronto. “This recognition of Auntie Comesee for her decades of disciplined commitment to storying Guyanese culture in our nation’s language is long overdue. So many of us grew up anticipating Aunty Comesee’s stories broadcast on the radio. It is a fitting honour for the university to recognize her as part of a generation of Creolese wordsmiths from Guyana who give us back to ourselves in a vocabulary that honours our long and connected histories.”
Award-winning author and storyteller Peter Jailall, who resides in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), attended the convocation ceremony in Guyana.
He read poetry with Thomas on several occasions in the GTA.
“Her brilliant performances began at the Theatre Guild in Guyana, but it was popularized by local audiences that propelled her to be a national icon in Guyana,” he said. “She continued her performances for the Guyanese Diaspora in Canada.”
Born in Friendship, East Coast Demerara, Thomas – the eldest of eight children – attended Expo ’67 in Montreal and, with Dolly London-Williams and Evelyn John, accompanied the Guyana Police Male Voice Choir.
Her daughter, Dawn McKenzie-Williams, also performed interpretative dance at the event.
Thomas later showcased her talent on stage with late Jamaican cultural icon Louise Bennett-Coverley (Miss Lou) at the inaugural Caribbean Festival of Creative Arts (CARIFESTA) in Guyana in 1972.
Before coming to Canada in 1980, she was a secondary school teacher, child welfare officer, National Insurance Service inspector and a member of the Woodside Choir for nearly two decades.
She also made an appearance on the popular Guyanese comedy show, ‘The Link’.
Thomas graduated from the Royal Conservatory of Music and was a member of Fellowship Baptist Church in Markham.
