THE Indigenous settlement at Bonasika, Essequibo River, East Bank Essequibo on Saturday held their heritage celebrations with a packed day of activities which entertained the dozens that gathered there.

Speaking to the Pepperpot Magazine, Toshao Stassford Williams said that the heritage was organised to bring people together to reflect and celebrate their identity, as in keeping with the theme for Indigenous Heritage Month 2018.

He related that in their community they do not encourage the consumption of alcohol beverages, as such the programme was one of decency which saw gospel songs being sung by villagers as well as church members.

Williams said it was the second annual event which attracted visitors from the nearby communities, such as Morashee, Aliki, Fort Island, Caria Caria, Hubu and as far as Parika and Tuschen.

The activities included a game of volleyball, indigenous dances, singing, poems and skits. Many villagers were decked out in their traditional wear and headdress and they came alive through songs and dances including the baboon, hummingbird and ‘crappo’.
Stories were told by village elders and their way of life was showcased via skits and poems which were well-received by the large gathering.

One of the many visitors, Andre Christopher, who hails from Hubu, East Bank Essequibo, said he was there for the very first time and was pleased since it was a nice day of clean fun where it was family-oriented and not a ‘big party’ with excessive drinking of rum.
Others told this newspaper they had a good time even though it rained a few times during the hot day.

Bonasika is on the mainland and is accessed via the Essequibo River through a tributary. The area consists of Lower and Upper Bonasika, a farming community of Indigenous people and East Indians.

There are about 144 residents in Lower Bonasika and the school is three miles down the river. Most of the men in that community are labourers on farms or are farmers themselves.

Upper Bonasika is more populated and has a health post and a school as well as a community centre ground and an active community policing group and outpost.
Indigenous Heritage Month was celebrated with a calendar of activities under the theme “Proud of our Indigenous identity, celebrating in unity.”