In Caribbean culture, the iconic thatched-roof benab is traditionally known as a place of gathering, shelter, and shared community. However, for Shazam Somwar, it also represents something far deeper: a sanctuary for the unspoken and a symbol for the quiet burdens so many carry alone.
Somwar is a true multi-hyphenate. He is a Guyanese creative, an entrepreneur, a business student, and a medical doctor candidate. Driven by an unwavering passion for raw, authentic storytelling, he is seamlessly bridging the gap between clinical science and literary art. His highly anticipated literary project, The Silence Beneath The Benab, aims to do what many in society are still hesitant to do: spark an open, honest conversation about mental health, emotional trauma, and masculinity through an unapologetically Guyanese lens.
The Genesis of the Benab
The inspiration for The Silence Beneath The Benab stems directly from Somwar’s observations of his surroundings and his experiences in the medical field. In Guyana and the wider Caribbean, societal expectations often dictate that emotional vulnerability must be hidden behind a facade of unbreakable strength, pride, or stoic silence. This burden, he notes, falls heavily on men.
“I wanted to create something raw, emotional, and relatable, something that would make people feel seen,” Somwar explains. “The benab itself became a powerful symbol for me. In Guyana, it represents gathering, storytelling, reflection, and culture. But in this story, it also stands for silence, emotional weight, loneliness, and eventually, healing. I wanted readers to know that even the strongest people can carry pain quietly.”
What began as a single, powerful idea back in 2013 has since blossomed into a monumental endeavor. What was initially penned as a short, emotional piece has now evolved into an upcoming anthology series. Each installment will dive into different lives, exploring themes of grief, heartbreak, trauma, depression, masculinity, and emotional survival, all deeply rooted in Guyanese cultural identity.
Navigating the Challenges of a Dual Life
For Somwar, the road to bringing this project to life has been a masterclass in endurance. Balancing the rigorous, demanding world of medicine, research, and business/entrepreneurship with the intense emotional heavy-lifting required for creative writing is no small feat.
He candidly admits to facing periods of self-doubt, creative burnout, and the mental exhaustion of juggling his multifaceted responsibilities. Furthermore, he faced the artistic challenge of ensuring the narrative felt deeply authentic to local readers while remaining universally relatable to a global audience. He wanted international readers to feel the raw human emotion, while Guyanese readers could read a page and comfortably say, “This feels like home.”
To protect his vision and maintain ultimate creative freedom, Somwar chose to self-publish. “I wanted the ability to share authentic Guyanese storytelling with a wider audience on my own terms,” he says. Whenever the pressure mounts, he grounds himself by remembering his core purpose: to give a voice to feelings that many struggle to put into words.
A Manifesto for Young Caribbean Creatives
Already seeing a profound wave of emotional connection and support from those who have caught previews of the themes, Somwar is eager to inspire the next generation of Caribbean writers to put pen to paper.
His advice to young creatives is clear: do not wait. “Start before you feel ready. Too many talented people wait for perfect conditions, perfect equipment, or perfect confidence. Creativity grows through consistency, not perfection,” he urges.
He also emphasizes the invaluable power of staying true to one’s roots. “Do not be afraid to tell stories rooted in your own culture and experiences. Authenticity is powerful. The world does not need more copies; it needs your voice, your perspective, and your truth.”
Healing Beyond the Page
Ultimately, Somwar envisions The Silence Beneath The Benab as a movement rather than just a book series. As a future medical professional, he views words as an essential tool for healing and a crucial mechanism for dismantling the stigma surrounding mental health in Guyana.
“I want it to spark a conversation, especially around mental health, emotional healing, masculinity, and the importance of checking in on those who seem ‘strong,'” Somwar says. “We have powerful stories, rich culture, deep emotions, and voices that deserve to be heard internationally.”
With The Silence Beneath The Benab, Somwar is not only stepping onto the global literary stage; he is also turning the traditional benab into a place where the silence is finally broken and where healing can begin.
