Hague is a tranquil and harmonious village located in Essequibo Islands-West Demerara., Region Three (3) of Guyana. On the east of Hague, is its neighbour Den Amstel and to the west is Cornelia Ida. Although this village is relatively small, there are about one thousand persons, of various descents living here. The village is divided into two parts; Hague Front and Hague Back. The front of Hague village is the busiest and you can see many persons hustling and bustling about. A mix of East Indian and African lives in this part of the village while Hague Back is home to East Indians and the wide expanse of rice field and cash crops.
Bridge leading to Rice Fields – Photo by Girendra Persaud
History of Hague
Like many villages in Guyana, Hague once belonged to the Dutch colonists of Guyana and was a Dutch plantation. The village Hague was named for the capital of the Netherlands. Not much has changed in Hague as the village maintains its serene, countrylike aura. However, villagers have access to modern amenities like electricity, potable water and fairly good roads.
A big part of Hague’s history revolves around the story of a haunted house. This house was built in the 1930s by Louis de Souza who owned the Kaiser store on Lombard Street in Georgetown. At the time, this house was one of the most beautiful on West Coast of Demerara. This house became the Haunted House of Hague after an incident with Betty, the daughter of Louis de Souza.
One day she was at the seawall with her baby and suddenly collapsed. She was rushed to the hospital but died of an aneurysm. This was not understood by the villagers at the time. They decided she died because the De Souza house was haunted by a woman, who was also the reason for her collapse.
Betty was a relative of the famous Guyanese singer Dave Martin who also lived in Hague. Hague has produced many successful names like Roshini Boodhoo – Miss India Guyana 2011.
Infrastructure
There are several places of worship in Hague which is not surprising since the villagers are religious. These include the Hague Front Sarawati Devi Mandir, Old Lady of the Assumption Roman Catholic Church, Bahai class, a masjid and another mandir at Hague Back. There is also a nursery school in the village, a little way from the West Coast public road. One of the oldest structures in the villages in the Roman Catholic Church, a building which was established in 1971 and remains standing to date.
Hague Back is one of the most aesthetic parts of the village, its beauty almost the same as the days past. The roads lead down into the backdam, on either side of which is the expansive fields of greenery. There are several trenches and even canals with water as black as coffee.
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- Bridge leading to Rice Fields – Photo by Girendra Persaud
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- Hague Backdam – Photo by Girendra Persaud
Economic Activities of Hague
The sugar estates like Leonora formerly employed many of the residents of Hague. Since its closure residents switched to rice farming, which is one of the most prevalent economic activity on the coast. Villages work on their own rice lands or they work for farmers in the surrounding rice lands. In addition to rice farming, there is some poultry and cattle rearing done in the village. Another economic activity is cash crop farming but some yards have a little kitchen garden. Coconuts are picked from their own trees and sold to buyers. There are also several small businesses in the area like the Meat Centre and Supermarket, Outreach Pharmacy and Dental clinic which provides for the medical needs.
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- Rice Fields of Hague – Photo by Girendra Persaud
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- Sunset at at Hague Backdam – Photo by Girendra Persaud
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- One of the oldest Trees in Hague – Photo by Girendra Persaud
Life in Hague
Villagers say Hague is one of the best places in Guyana, and one can understand why. After a long hard day of work, who wouldn’t want to relax in their hammock and enjoy the cool, refreshing breeze blowing in from the Atlantic?
The people of Hague are diverse but treat others no differently than they would someone of their own ethnicity. Strangers are greeted with a smile and are always welcome. Villagers, especially the younger ones would visit the backdam for a fishing trip and a swim in the blackwater.
While there are not many places for recreational activities but local bush-cooks at the seawall and weekend picnics are a common thing in the village. People also visit the Sea View Springtide Beer Garden and Hangout Bar to chill with friends.
About Hague
Hague is a relatively quiet village, like most villages in the countryside of Guyana. Villagers are welcoming and treat visitors like their own. Take a trip down to the backlands of Hague and bask in the beauty of this serene little village. If you linger long enough, you might be lucky to catch one of their mesmerizing sunsets.
Article Reference
- http://guyanachronicle.com/2014/09/13/hague-a-serene-village-reeking-of-tranquility-and-simplicity
- https://www.stabroeknews.com/2011/12/11/features/hague/
- https://agriculture.gov.gy/2016/05/31/narei-forming-closer-ties-with-hague-back-farmers/
- http://guyanachronicle.com/2014/09/13/hague-a-serene-village-reeking-of-tranquility-and-simplicit
