September is the month when we celebrate the first peoples of this land; their culture, their heritage, their history and remember why special attention needs to be placed on protecting their livelihoods, and their land.
The Amerindians are, although a minority ethnic group, substantial and significant to all of Guyana in all aspects of our society. Small but mighty, they too have a part to play in the success of the republic. And we owe them our gratitude and respect, because they have given us so much more. From the Amerindians we got our ‘Land of Many Waters’ name, our carnival’s name: Mashramani, art and craft and up to Tuesday afternoon we still had our meeting place—Umana Yana.
It is fitting then that Pepperpot, is our proclaimed national dish. Other Amerindian contributions to our cuisine include: cassava bread, farine, parakari and piwari among other things.
Although I am often disappointed by the loss of culture from our aboriginal peoples, their languages, folklore, arts and clothing, they must be admired for how they pride themselves on just being an ethnic group with so much history. They still have major respect for their nomadic ancestors who made their way 20,000 years ago from the Mongolian regions to the Americas.
The Amerindians in Guyana, moved from the coasts to the dense forested regions, away from the conquistadores and other European invaders who threatened their livelihood and existence. It proved to have been wise, the tribes survived.
Though their social economic and educational struggles continue, Guyana’s indigenous population today has diversified. No longer just hunting, fishing and living agrarian lifestyles, they are involved in mining, lumber, conservation and social services. Increasing numbers are successfully pursuing academia.
Others are following in the footsteps of Stephen Campbell, Guyana’s first Amerindian Member of Parliament. It is in commemoration of Campbell that we celebrate “Heritage Day” on September 10, the day he entered the British Guiana Legislative Council in 1957. In fact the entire Heritage Month was so designated as a result of Campbell’s achievement. To his people, he remains a hero and they cherish his legacy, continuing to lobby for land rights and their overall upliftment. (Jairo Rodrigues)
