AS celebrations continue at the Amerindian Heritage Village at Sophia, indigenous cultural groups from across Guyana came together on Wednesday to captivate the public with a cultural extravaganza. Under the theme: ‘Preserving our customs and traditions’, Amerindian groups gathered from near and far to display some of their customs and traditions.

Master of Ceremonies, Ovid Williams, explained that the main building used for the evening performances were built by the Arawaks and “the entire Amerindian Village at Sophia took approximately 36 days.”
UMANA YANA
The Masekenari Cultural Group, a group of Wai Wai origin, during their performance of the Macaw and Powis dance and their rendition of ‘Identity Preserver’ called on the new Government to have the Umana Yana rebuilt. The group, through poetry, related the significance of the ‘Umana Yana’, a meeting place, to the indigenous people as they stressed the importance of the rebuilding.
SAHAMAN HEALING
The Karaudanau Cultural Group through drama enlightened patrons on the traditional indigenous ways to cure the sick. “Sahaman Healing” was the method used by the ‘first people’ to cure illness since they are a very superstitious group of persons. Williams also explained that due to their beliefs all sicknesses were deemed evil and the village ‘Sahamans’ were called in to cure the person.
‘Choosing the right husband’ was performed by an Akawaio Group from Region 7 (Cuyuni/Mazaruni). During their display, the elders through a skit explained their method, according to their customs, to choose the right life partner. It was advised that “all that is shiny is not gold, choose a life partner that can provide for your everyday needs and this will carry you through life.”
The Guyana Chronicle spoke with a few patrons on Wednesday, some of whom expressed their satisfaction while noting that a few of the customs highlighted were alien to them. First time patron ‘Andrew’ explained that he heard of the foods prepared during this time and decided to ‘give it a try’. He noted too that he enjoyed the cassava bread with tuma pot and the ‘fly’ sweet potato wine.
The Cultural Extravaganza continues daily from 19:00hrs at the Amerindian Village in Sophia.
Other activities at the Amerindian Heritage Village will include the sashing of the pageant delegates tomorrow at 20:00hrs. Then there will be the celebration of the life and works of Stephen Campbell and other notable Amerindians on September 10, with re-enactments 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 and mountain chicken will be available. Tickets to this treat cost $7,000 each.