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