IF you travel some 56km (35mls) up the Pomeroon River in Region Two, some 40 miles from Charity, you will arrive at an Arawak village of approximately 800 inhabitants, where bamboo grows in abundance and villagers utilize same in a flourishing craft-making industry, even producing bamboo weaving and furniture.

You might not have known it, but you would have arrived at the Arawak village known as “the place with the itching bush”. The “bush” referred to is a wild arum with an irritating juice (Dieffenbachia paludicola).
The Arawak named that plant the “jotoro”, and called the place where it is grown “kabo kabura”; but, over time, that name became changed to “Kabakaburi”.
Kabakaburi is an important historical and archaeological heritage site, containing both shell mounds and ancient ceramics. It is also the site of the graves of William Henry Brett, one of the earliest missionaries to Guyana; and Sachilara, the first Amerindian convert to Christianity.
The chief authority figure of this mostly Arawak and Carib village is Toshao Ms. Lorna Williams.
So far, more than 30 persons, including youths and single-parents, have been trained in bamboo craft and furniture making by Mr. Donrade Correia, a beneficiary of the bamboo technology training conducted in Guyana by experts from China. He also attended a two-month training in bamboo craft in China. His training in China included how to process and utilise bamboo for weaving, furniture making and creating accessories (earrings and chains).
Students are learning quickly, and producing excellent pieces of bamboo craft, including waste paper baskets, floral vases, serving plates, and pumpkin vases.
The Kabakaburi Handicraft Association (KHA) of Region Two is a legally registered, community-based organisation falling under the Friendly Societies Act. Formed in May 1994 to create employment for people in the community, the association started with approximately 20 members. Its influence now reaches even to the geographical areas of Ariapiaco, Macaseema and Yabamai.