A GROUP of young members of the Walter Roth Museum Junior Archaeology Programme went on their first expedition to the Amerindian community of St. Cuthbert’s Mission last Friday. Accompanied by the Museum’s Administrative Manager, Ms. Jennifer Wishart and two other staffers, Ms. Louisa Daggers and Ms. Shebana Daniels, the journey started from the Main Street, Georgetown edifice and they travelled by mini-bus to Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara, where they boarded a 4×4 truck to continue.
Wishart said the primary purpose of the trip was to afford the visitors a first hand look at an Amerindian village, about which they only read in books.
“The intention was for them to enjoy the experience while learning,” she said.
Wishart said the venture also offered the opportunity to interact with the children living in St. Cuthbert’s, where they arrived around 11:30 h and were warmly greeted by Mr.Telford Taylor, an Arawak resident, who acted as tour guide for the day.
The visitors, while touring, went to Taylor’s home, where they observed his son, Randy, carving wooden products for the upcoming Village Day on September 25, during the continuing Amerindian Heritage Month.
Later, they saw women villagers braiding dried tibisiri, to make a variety of things, including mats and ornaments.
A meeting with the village elder, Uncle Cuthbert, who spoke a few works of the native Arawak language, was another significant aspect of the excursion.
At the conclusion, Wishart said: “It was excellent. We achieved all we set out to. We even got more than we bargained for, as the children were able to see craft making in progress.
Among those who participated were Christine Camacho, Sarah Garrido, Kemchandra Ramlochan, Shafeek Raymond, Ariel Roberts and Alveena Robertson.
The Junior Archaeology Programme, started in 1987, offers primary schoolchildren members hands-on experience in anthropology.