Host of activities set for Amerindian Heritage Month 2015 Theme: ‘Preserving our customs and traditions’
AMERINDIANS across Guyana are anticipating a culture fiesta during the Month of September (Amerindian Heritage Month).
The Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs yesterday reeled out its plan of activities to celebrate the month under the theme “Preserving our customs and traditions”.
Every September in every year, Amerindians across this country are given opportunity to showcase their cultural diversity to the rest of the nation. This year, the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs has lined up a host of activities which are aimed at further promoting the heritage of the “first people”. Teams have been selected to streamline the activities in an orderly manner.
Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Ms Valerie Garrido-Lowe, declared that, this year, the Ministry is promising a bigger and better Heritage Month, and all Guyanese are invited to join in those celebrations.
“In keeping with one of our mandates, we have to ensure that hard work and planning (are) put into this year’s festivities so as to make it bigger and better than ever,” the Minister said.
Preparatory work, she noted, has already commenced at the Amerindian Heritage Village which will be housed at the Sophia Exhibition Centre.
She said the Ministry has already cleaned up the nearby trench, and is currently renovating the existing benabs and constructing three new ones, so that there would be access to more facilities, and more activities could be held there.
The host of events will be kick-started with a prayer ceremony on August 31 at the area where the Umana Yana once stood tall, or at the Amerindian Village. This is in keeping with the notion that God must be involved in any activity, planned or unplanned, in order that it might run smoothly.
CEREMONIAL LAUNCH
Following the Day of Prayer, the month of activities will be officially kicked-off on September 1 with the Heritage Ceremonial Launch at the Amerindian Heritage Village, which will be graced by the presence of President David Granger and other high ranking Government officials. The President is expected to give the feature address.
The indigenous folks will be showcasing their talent and displaying their various delicacies — beverages, crafts et al. The main focus, the Minister noted, will be placed on the indigenous foods and beverages so as to give the vendors — especially those who have travelled from far-reaching areas — a chance to showcase and market their products.
Being added to the list of activities at the Heritage Village from September 2-6 will be a cultural extravaganza which will see over 150 Amerindian artistes from all the different regions showcasing their talent in the form of poetry, songs, dances, skits, stand-up comedy and much more.
As a motivational strategy for each artiste to perform to the best of his/her ability, the Ministry will be paying a stipend to the performers. Artistes such as the Mighty Pirai, the Mighty Chief and the Mighty Pacuri are slated to perform at the Village.
Meanwhile, activities at the Amerindian Heritage Village will include the sashing of the pageant delegates, on September 5 at 20:00hrs; followed by the celebration of the life and works of Stephen Campbell and other notable Amerindians, on September 10; with reenactments of Campbell during his days in Parliament.
The Annual Heritage Fund- Raising Dinner will be held from 19:00hrs on September 8 at the same venue, where a number of Amerindian delicacies, such as Roast Labba, Pepperpot, Mountain Chicken among others will be available. Tickets to this treat cost $7,000.
AMERINDIAN VILLAGE
This year, Santa Aratak in Region 3 (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) has been chosen as the Amerindian Village.
Speaking to members of the media yesterday, Village Toshao Aubrey Samuels highlighted that the village is the closest Amerindian Village to the capital city. He disclosed that this is also the second time that this village has been named the Amerindian Village.
This year, the toshao disclosed, the village will be displaying the various traditional foods and beverages, along with the many beauties of nature being showcased. “Persons will get to observe how the Tacoma worm is harvested and eaten, and so on,” he said. Persons are encouraged to join in the celebrations at the Village on September 12.
SCHOOL LECTURES
Minister Garrido-Lowe said that, this year, the ministry will be holding school lectures at various schools across the country, so as to sensitize students on the way of life of the Amerindians and also their diverse culture.
This, she noted, would enhance the students’ knowledge and help them to have a greater understanding of how the “first people” live.
The Ministry is appealing to young Guyanese to participate in the festivities, and schools are urged to bring out the students and have them engage in the host of activities which has been planned for the month.
By Navendra Seoraj
