An interview with the President of the Mabaruma Heritage Committee Initiative (MHCI), Keisha Benedict revealed a host of activities planned for the eighth annual Miss Region 1 (Barima/Waini) pageant and Amerindian Heritage Month celebrations.

The pageant is an elaborate public presentation that emphasises the Amerindian culture. It sees girls from Amerindian villages across Region 1 being selected to compete for not only the coveted Miss Region 1 Amerindian Heritage 2014 Crown, but also a chance of a scholarship to further their studies.
The contestants who are between the ages of sixteen to twenty-one, vie for the crown by competing in segments that showcase colourful Amerindian traditional costumes, the physical beauty of the contestants, their personality, intelligence, talents, Amerindian dialect and they also answer questions based on their platforms.
Speaking of the success of the pageant, Ms. Benedict said: “From the initial years, the pageant served as a way of showcasing the talents and culture of the Amerindian villages. But it became more than that as the young women saw it as an opportunity to empower themselves and so it lead to a scholarship being offered. ”
“The under privileged young women are given the rare opportunity of visiting Georgetown (as many of the participants come from rural villages and it is financially difficult for them to travel out of the region) to visit places of interest such as the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs and to interact with their sponsors.”
The MHCI, therefore, seeks to empower hinterland young women through pageantry by networking with various ministries and non-governmental agencies.
“Many of the past delegates and winners who were given the opportunity to further their education in varying sectors have returned to their villages as teachers and nurses among other professions. They put their newfound talents and skills to bettering the human resource development of their communities,” she said.
The pageant is already underway as the first of the three sub-districts of Region 1, Mabaruma, held its Miss Mabaruma Amerindian Heritage Sub-Regional Pageant 2014 at the L & D Resort, Kumaka in August.
Another, Miss Port Kaituma Amerindian Heritage Sub-Regional Pageant 2014 will be held at Marlon’s Place, Airstrip on 13 September.
Benedict expounded that the many villages across Region 1 send the young girls to participate in the pageants held for their respective sub-districts. The winners then move on to compete in the finals, for the title of Miss Region 1 Amerinidan Heritage 2014.
While there is still need for additional sponsors and assistance to further empower the delegates. Benedict lauded Global Technology Incorporated and the Carnegie School of Home Economics for their dedicated support of the successful pageants over the years.
The MHCI president also highlighted that apart from the pageant, the region will celebrate Amerindian Heritage Month with an exhibition of local art and craft, food and drinks to be held at the Kumaka Tarmac.
September 28 will see the preceding event of a heritage fun day that will have football competitions for both males and females.

(By Raveena Mangal)