THE OCCASION was the Kuru Kururu Amerindian Heritage Fair 2011, and the venue was the Kuru Kururu President’s Youth Choice Ground. The event was staged a few Sundays ago to bring the curtains down on Amerindian Heritage Month observances.
Organized by and for the Amerindian people, with support coming from the Community Development Council, the response was phenomenal: nine thousand excited Amerindians joyously filled the ground as they proudly showcased items of craft, traditional cuisine, and bountiful agricultural produce — all the work of their own hands.
The massive turnout of indigenous peoples was complemented by keenly enthusiastic support from non-Amerindians, who in jubilant solidarity came together for the grand hosting of the Kuru Kururu Amerindian Heritage Fair, dubbed the largest ever Amerindian Heritage Month observance by those who attended the event.
Joining the people to celebrate the occasion were Labour and Social Security Minister Manzoor Nadir, who delivered the feature address; Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee; and Advisor to the Local Government Minister, Clinton Collymore,  among other regional executives.
It was a fun-filled, action-packed day, which underscored Amerindian ingenuity through the showcasing of craft and other exhibits at 31booths set up for the occasion.
Non-Amerindians devoured the tasty fare on offer — Cassava bread, piwari wine made from cassava, and cadacura (a special kind of pepperpot made from non-endangered species of wild meat) — and were intrigued by the novel preparations on display, and showed great appreciation for the inimitable culinary skills possessed by the indigenous people.
Other items showcased for sale included handicraft and agricultural produce.

Stagecraft
And capping the day’s festivities was the song and dance segment, which offered top quality stage performances lasting for three hours.
Popular artistes featured included The Mighty Pakuri, who regaled the crowd with two of his most recent hits, and had them jumping and clamouring for more.
Also winning the crowd’s admiration was the group named ‘Pakuri Children’, who are following in the footsteps of their father.
It was a great occasion for all who attended the event. The day was well spent, and was filled with excitement and fun in the sun. The Mighty Pakuri was among the persons who shared their impressions of the Kuru Kururu Amerindian Heritage Fair 2011. He said he was thrilled at the resounding success it had turned out to be, adding that one had to really “see it to believe it.”
He recalled that even though he had performed at many Heritage observances throughout Guyana, he had never before seen so many people attending the event. He commended the organizers of the event, including Community Development Chairman, Mr. Drepal, and Community Organizer, Cleveland Baptiste.

Reminiscences
And commenting on the part he had played, Drepal said he was approached by Amerindians who requested that such a fair be held in observance of their month.
Drepal remarked, “As a representative of the people [about seven years since], I was approached by a group of Amerindians who looked upon observances in other Amerindian communities with admiration.  They stated that they were Amerindians, too, and need to celebrate their heritage.”
Drepal said he set up an organizing committee, and together they requested assistance from the Honourable Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, then Amerindian Affairs Minister.  Without hesitation, the initiative was supported, and Heritage Fair was held in 2004 at the Kuru Kururu President’s Youth Choice Ground. The CDC chairman said he has since been supporting the effort, which continues to grow from strength to strength and has now become an annual event.
And, congratulating the Amerindian people for their hard work and commitment, Community Organizer Baptiste concurred: “It was their initiative, and they supported it fully; and so, only good could come out of it.”
Kuru Kururu is an Amerindian village on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway with approximately 800 Amerindians. This celebration was attended by Amerindians from contiguous villages along the Soesdyke/Linden Highway, and from areas along the East Coast and East Bank Demerara. (With additional reporting by Cleveland Baptiste)