Guyanese composer, dancer, choreographer, poet and storyteller Doris Harper-Wills on Friday held a special performance for children at the Umana Yana.
The production was called Amerindian Legends and African Reality and featured the singing of folk songs, poetry recitals, musical renditions, and dramatic presentations.
The highlight of the session was the dramatisation of two Amerindian legends, by a cast which included young Amerindians from the interior of Guyana. The first was the Warrau legend of “Okonorote and Raincloud” and the second, the Carib-Tamanac legend of “Amalivaaca and Vochi.” Poetry concerning these subjects by Martin Carter and A. J Seymour were also recited.
The presentation on “African Reality” focused on poetry thematically based on the African experience during slavery. The works selected were from poets who participated in the initial Carifesta in 1972, including Venezuelan Juan Licano and Guyanese Martin Carter and Frank Collymore
.
Harper-Wills pioneered the schoolchildren’s pageants during the first Carifesta. She currently resides in England and has attempted to keep alive the work of Guyanese and Caribbean poets by travelling regularly to various countries incorporating children and adults in song and dance programmes.
She told this newspaper that she was happy to be part of this year’s Carifesta celebrations and was delighted to work along with the enthusiastic children. However, she was disappointed that although she had funded her trip herself to come specially for the event, the organisers had not fulfilled the promises they had made to provide particular pieces of equipment needed for the performances.
