Championing the Cause of Indigenous

THERE was a time when the Indigenous could not speak in English, making known his problems and challenges. That was a long, long time ago. Much has changed since then.

I live in the path of change
In my old and carefree way
Confused and bewildered I strive to understand
I’m a merry Indian no more
(From ‘A Merry Indian No More’ – Basil Rodrigues)

There was a time when the Indigenous spoke about their grievances, but no one listened, because the language used was not understood by the others. That was a long time ago. Much has changed since then.

A carefree life I’ve lived
Hunting the forest land, the river bed
A new light shines today
Which threatens my traditional way.
(From ‘A Merry Indian No More’ – Basil Rodrigues)

There was a time when the Indigenous were heard by translators interested only in the academic study of the language. That was the time the Indigenous spoke many languages yet their concerns were not heard.
There was a time when the Indigenous acquired and was able to use the lingua franca of the country yet their voice was not heard.

I see the light of a new day
It is coming my way
To my timid mind I dread the changes it brings
I’m a merry Indian no more
(From ‘A Merry Indian No More’ – Basil Rodrigues)

There was a time when the voice of the Indigenous was beginning to be heard and their cause attracted many sympathisers. One such person was William Hilhouse who was ‘one of the most versatile, interesting, and controversial figures in the early history of British Guiana’. Hilhouse became an ‘unfailing advocate’ of the Indigenous. And his book, ‘Indian Notices’ was an ‘Expose – the fruit of nine years’ observation and acquisition of information concerning the abuses perpetrated against the Amerindians.
The book, ‘Indian Notices’, was first published in 1825. In 2011, the book was re-issued by The Caribbean Press which was birthed to reprint rare and out-of-print books on and about Guyana. The series preface written by the then President of Guyana, Bharrat Jagdeo, is instructive and informative. This preface declared that ‘The Guyana Classics Library will republish out-of-print poetry, novels and travelogues so as to remind us of our literary heritage, and it will also remind us of our reputation for scholarship in the fields of history, anthropology, sociology and politics, through the reprinting of seminal works in these subjects. The Series builds upon previous Guyanese endeavours, like the institution of CARIFESTA, and the Guyana Prize…so that all Guyanese can appreciate our monumental achievement in moving from Exploitation to Expression…’ (my italics)
‘Indian Notices’ is subtitled ‘sketches of the habits, characters, languages, superstitions, soil, and climate of the several nations; with remarks on their capacity for colonisation, present government and suggestions for future improvement and civilization. Also the ichthyology of the fresh waters of the interior’.
That lengthy subtitle forms part of the table of contents which include an Introduction by M. N. Menezes, Key to References, an Advice to Readers, a Postscript, Supplementary Notes and Selected Bibliography. ‘Indian Notices’ is a slim volume, amounting to ninety seven pages but it hurled many potent poison darts to abusers of the Indigenous.

The darts hit home in such a manner that Hilhouse invited the wrath of all in authority. Menezes, in her introduction, writes, ‘this “Las Casas” of British Guiana did not hesitate to condemn the abuses of the system of government over the Indians, and his outspoken and unwelcome candour won for him the hearty dislike of Governors, Members of the Courts, Protectors of Indians, and Postholders. He became a thorn in the flesh of Governors D’Urban, Carmichael Smyth, and to a lesser extent, Light.’ He was labelled ‘a mischievous meddler’ and ‘a visionary and eccentric person of unsettled and wandering habits’.

Labels did not deter Hilhouse whose goals seem to be to champion the cause of the Indians and to gain knowledge of the interior. It is just as well that Hilhouse continued in his quest, because ‘Indian Notices’ was foundation to ‘enable abler hands to advocate the cause thus brought forward’.

In his postscript, Hilhouse gave advice on how to go about the advocacy, ‘There is one avenue to the heart of the Indian that is always closed to the stranger, and to the European in authority over him.

Time and unremitting kindness alone opens this door of his affections, as he makes it a point of honour to lie to all the world, but be true to his friend’.

To read ‘Indian Notices’ is to get in touch with Amerindians as living human beings with a right to all the inalienable rights due to human beings.

(Responses to this author telephone (592) 226-0065 or email: oraltradition2002@yahoo.com)

by Petamber Persaud