Scores of persons braved the blazing sun and the extremely bumpy ride Saturday to attend the Village Day Celebrations at the Arawak settlement of St.Cuthbert’s Mission.
An exciting and entertaining programme, filled with cultural items and tributes through songs and skits, poems and dances, awaited the revellers, who travelled more than one mile from the Linden Soesdyke Highway to attend the annual event.
In his address at the festive occasion, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, Mr. Colin Crowe, extended greetings to the residents and visitors on behalf of the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs.
He encouraged those present to enjoy the celebrations, and also reminded them to recognize the importance of the occasion.
“As you celebrate today, I want you to ask yourselves what it is you are celebrating, and I want you to think about the development in the lives of the Amerindians today,” Mr. Crowe stressed.
Crowe also highlighted the many programmes that the Government has embarked on to ensure the members of Indigenous Nations enjoy an improved quality of living.
In doing so, he mentioned the Schools Uniform Assistance Programme, implemented to ensure improved attendance at schools.
This initiative, he said, will also add to the economic development of the Amerindian villages as many women benefit from sewing the uniforms themselves.
Mr. Crowe mentioned the Hinterland Scholarship Programme and the commissioning of the Hinterland Students Dormitory at Liliendaal on September 3, at a cost of $94.5 Million.
He said, “We recognize that it is important we develop and educate our children and the dormitory will ensure their comfort.”
Alluding to the One Laptop per Household initiative, Mr. Crowe said that the Government recognizes that there are limitations, especially in communities without access to electricity and plans are under way to remedy this.
“The Ministry of Amerindian Affairs is seeking to provide solar panels with the intention that communities in need will have an internet café so that children will access information,” he revealed.
He encouraged persons to reflect on all of the positive changes that the Government interventions have produced as these play an important role in transforming the communities.
“It is important, while all of these developments are happening around you, to maintain you culture,” the Permanent Secretary emphasized.
In closing, he reminded the residents to remain proud of their heritage and said, “Amerindians have a right to feel proud of who they are, where they came from, and where they are going.”
Village Toshao, Earnest Dundas, welcomed the residents and visitors and invited them to enjoy “the festivities of the beautiful village.”
He said, “Today we are celebrating our culture which we have maintained throughout the years.”
In recognizing the many improvements the village has witnessed, the Toshao expressed concern over the loss of their native dialect, which he stated, is fading with time.
He however congratulated residents for maintaining their “unique way of life” and encouraged every one present to experience it.
After the opening ceremony, the revelry began with several sporting activities and competitions between the villagers and visitors, including sack races, tug of war and piwari drinking contests.
While some persons were enjoying the sporting events, others were sampling the mouth-watering Amerindian cuisine, including hog pepper-pot and cassava bread, fried farine and roasted wild meat.
Only the brave of heart, and stomach, dared to try the fried tacoma worms.
As the day faded into evening, the celebrations did not falter as along with the dark came dancing contests and disco time and everyone crowded into the bar to continue dancing to the music of the Mighty Pakuri while sipping on a glass of cassiri, piwari, fly or whatever the brew of their choice.
Music and chatter could be heard well into Sunday morning, as many braved the night and partied until daylight.
Whether they slept or not, the crowd was present the next day for the second round of festivities at the Mahaica Creek, about half a mile away from the village.
They were treated to more of the village hospitality while basking in the cool waters during what the villagers call, “the wash down.”
According to singer and village celebrity, Mighty Pakuri, the two day celebrations were another successful observance of St.Cuthbert’s Heritage Celebrations.