THE Moruca Expo Committee 2015 is inviting local and international tourists to join in celebrating the rich heritage of the indigenous people of Moruca village during Moruca Expo, which is to be held from July 23 to 26 under the theme ‘One Culture: Many Livelihoods’.

The organising Committee noted that the objective of this expo is to showcase the talents of the people and rich flora and fauna of this rural indigenous community.

Some features of this year’s festivities are the upright bicycle race and the road race; competitions in archery, slingshot, paddle and craft making, besides strong man and strong woman competitions; face painting; viewing the Piaiman Pot; fish trap demonstrations; H’aichisiro (pepper sauce eating) competition; and the widely anticipated Miss Moruca Pageant.

Visitors can also take the opportunity to visit the various communities and villages surrounding Moruca, where they can ‘soak up’ the colourful culture of the people; and tours can be organised with the locals to visit areas within the Moruca sub-region.

The Committee said visitors would be able to purchase fresh ground coffee, avocado, crabs and fish among other niceties at the Expo.

MORUCA
The village of Moruca, in Region One (Barima-Waini), is a centre of dazzling beauty and community cohesion. It is home to a number of Guyana’s fascinating ecotourism wonders, among which are numerous bird species and endangered turtles.

One can also catch glimpses of other wildlife species native to the collection of communities that constitute the Moruca sub-region, and see meandering waterways that harbour little marvels of their own.

An ideal location to visit after the expo is Santa Rosa. It is a collection of small islands that are distinct in the rainy season when the savannah floods, but are linked by paths and bridges in the dry season.

The boat ride into Santa Rosa from Charity is comfortable and well worth the experience. Sail up the mouth of the Pomeroon, up the coast, then back inland up the Moruca river through a canopy of trees with immense roots which later open into savannah with floating reed beds and trees, where the boatmen speed over mats of vegetation.

Quiet and peaceful, the beautiful village of Moruca is ideal for nature walks, swimming, canoeing and breath-taking boat rides in and around Moruca, which would help you connect with the people and nature.

By Rebecca Ganesh