Written by Clifford Stanley
COMMUNITY leaders from 11 Amerindian villages and 7 satellite communities in the newly designated Kanuku Mountains Protected Area (KMPA) in the Central and South Rupununi are busy getting ready for their annual Christmas fair which is now a major showpiece event.The members of the Kanuku Mountains Community Representative Group Christmas Fair Committee (KMCRG – XmFC) of Region 9 (Upper Essequibo/Upper Takutu) have announced that arrangements are well underway for their annual showcase of handicraft, jewellery, cosmetics, natural products and foods and beverages of the Rupununi.

Their fourth Rupununi Christmas Fair is to be held at the Market Place, Lethem, on Saturday December 21, 2013.
Behi Barzegar, a Volunteer Services Organization (VSO) officer who is assisting, said that following the success of the third annual fair last year, the Rupununi Christmas Fair will be showcasing a wider range of gifts as well as a fuller range of deliciously made foods and beverages that have now established the fair as a special event in its own right.
The KMCRG, the organisers of the annual fair, comprises community leaders from 11 Amerindian villages and 7 satellite communities in the newly designated Kanuku Mountains Protected Area (KMPA) in the Central and South Rupununi.
The members encourage and ensure the participation of community members in the management of natural resources and social development of their communities.
The objectives of the Christmas Fair include encouragement and promotion of techniques and skills that help preserve locally available fruits, vegetables, herbs, meat and dairy products, to reduce wastage, promote improved quality, encourage product innovation, and stimulate positive attitudes to nutrition, Barzegar recently told the Guyana Chronicle.
Individuals and groups are expected to have on display and for purchase a wide range of products from juices, dried and crystallised fruits, fruit leathers, fruit cheeses, jams, marmalades and jellies, achar, pepper sauce, farine and cassava bread, cured and dried meats as well as dairy products.
Handmade jewellery, ornaments and baskets will be available next to soaps, creams, herbal oils and tinctures.
In keeping with the spirit of merit for effort and excellence competitions will be held in each category of exhibits with the winners being chosen by a panel of judges who will disburse prizes and awards for winning entries.
The overall winners of each category in the fair last year received awards and through donations from supporters of the fair, the Fair Committee was able to provide them with the cost of flights to and from Lethem as well as a daily allowance.
Shulinab Women’s Group won a free Trans Guyana Airways (TGA) return flight, registration, stall hire and expenses for one of their members to attend GuyExpo in Georgetown. Rita Francis from SEPO, Annai was similarly awarded.
Helping Hands Women Producers’ Cooperative Society won an all expenses paid, two-week cookery workshop donated by Mr Birch-Smith, formerly of Maggie’s Restaurant, Georgetown.
LOOKING FOR SPONSORSHIP
Behi disclosed that the KMCRG Christmas Fair Committee is looking for sponsorship for awards and prizes that would encourage enterprising activities and motivate participants to continue to develop their skills and to market their products.
She said, “We would be delighted to receive support for the Christmas Fair and its role in promoting the values and traditions, particularly of Amerindian communities in the Rupununi. The XmFC hopes that as many as possible will be able to support this festive event by attending the fair, spreading the news about the event among friends and colleagues, and helping the fund raising activity by donations in cash or in kind.”
Funds can be placed directly into the GBTI account: Kanuku Mountains Community Representative Group (KMCRG) Christmas Fair, GBTI Lethem Account No: 008600604018, or to Behi Barzegar, Development Consultant Agri-Processing Food Technology Specialist, Lethem, Telephone No. 674-4071 or Jessica George, Cell No. 650-1884.