Story and photos by David Pappanah
Sitting on the banks of the Corentyne River, approximately 54 miles from Crabwood Creek is one of two Amerindian villages – Orealla.
Orealla is an Arawak word which means white chalk, and seems to have acquired its name from the chalk hills around. The village with a population of over 1000, spreads up one of these hills.
Orealla was at one time inhabited mainly by the Arawaks and Warraus with some Caribs, but at present Wapishanas and Macushis can also be found there. The community’s economy is dependent on logging, hunting and farming.
For the past few years the village has gone through a major transformation. It was presented with a new boat from the Government of Guyana and the residents have been receiving electricity at night while some sections