For the first time in Guyana’s history of commemorating Amerindian Heritage Month, the Wai-Wai tribe from Masekenyari will be sending a cultural group to participate.
Region Nine’s Masekenyari Wai-Wai tribe is said to be among the only remaining of Amerindian tribes to have maintained their original way of life, untainted by modern developments.
The announcement of the tribe’s participation was made at a press conference yesterday, when the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs officially announced its activities planned for Amerindian Heritage Month, which will be launched on September 1st at the National Exhibition Complex at Sophia.
Preceding the launch will be an Interfaith Service, to be held at the Umana Yana on August 31st. What is to follow will be a long list of cultural activities to showcase the rich culture of Guyana’s first people, drawing in the various indigenous tribes from across the country. More than 500 persons are expected to attend the launch, where President Donald Ramotar is expected to deliver the feature address.
On display and available for purchase will be the various indigenous dishes and craft, while there will also be performances ranging from song, to band performances, skits, poems and a host of other activities.
This year’s Heritage month will be bigger, brighter and better, according to Jude DaSilva, the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs Project Coordinator.
DaSilva told the press conference that the event is not only for Amerindians to converge and urged that all Guyanese come out and support it. She mentioned that free samples of the dishes will be made available to attract the people and encourage them to buy.
The cultural extravaganza, as it was deemed, is expected to run from September 2nd to September 6th, the same time when the food and craft will be on display. Among the cultural groups that will be performing are the Masekenyari Culture Group, the Karadur Culture Group (Karadarnau Village), the Katiwau Dance Group (Sand Creek Village) and the Surama Culture Group, all from Region Nine; the Mainstay Culture Group (Lake Mainstay Village, Region Two) the St. Cuthberts Dance Group (Region Four) and the Yukatan Culture Group (Santa Rosa, Region One). The musical bands expected to perform include the Surama Band (Region Nine), the Mighty Pakuri of St.Cuthberts (Region Four), the Tuseneng Band (Region Eight), the Kiskadee Band (Kwebanna, Region One) and the Ozzie Band (St. Ignatius, Region Nine).
The life and work of Stephen Campbell, Guyana’s first Amerindian Parliamentarian, will be celebrated on September 10th at the Umana Yana, as has been the practice over the years.
This year marks the 57th Anniversary of Campbell’s election into the then British Guiana Legislative Council and will be met with due exuberance, according to ministry Project Officer Alexi La Rose, who regarded Campbell as a man of deep humanity and an architect of Guyana’s independence. Other events planned include village celebrations at Karrau Village in Region Seven on August 13th; an educational tour for scholarship children from Waikerebi, Asakata, Warapoka and Santa Cruz on the 15th; a heritage dinner and prize giving ceremony for which attendees will be required to pay a $7,000 fee for a three-course buffet meal of Amerindian cuisine on the 26th at Georgetown Club; and a Sports/Games/Fun day to close things off on the 20th and 21st, at the Everest Cricket Ground.
A $200 entry fee would be charged. All proceeds from the dinner and fun day will go towards Amerindians seeking medical attention in Georgetown.
