THE Umana Yana’s conical palm-thatched roof is almost complete, and other works on the structure are set to be finished by April month-end.And now that this part of the project will soon be completed, the team of 35 Wai-Wai villagers, led by Toshao Paul Chekema, will be leaving for their home community of Masakenari in Region Nine on Monday.

In an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Advisor on Indigenous People’s Affairs, Mervyn Williams, said the pace of construction of the historic Umana Yana is on schedule.

He said the team has done a fanatic job, although it was a challenge to procure some of the leaves.

Williams said the toshao had worked on the previous Umana Yana in 2010, and now he is leading the team decades after his uncle, Chief Elka, had worked on the original benab, in August 1972.

“We are pleased with the work done, and their effort was amazing in making this aspect of the structure a reality,” Williams, who expressed gratitude to the team on behalf of the Indigenous People’s Affairs Ministry, said.

The original structure was erected as a VIP Lounge and recreation centre for the Non-Aligned Foreign Ministers Conference in Georgetown Guyana in August 1972.

“As Guyana celebrated then, so will we also celebrate now in this jubilee; and this is something to be celebrated nationally, and is to be treasured and protected while being accorded its rightful place in the history of this country, especially in the year 2016,” Williams explained.

The surrounding walls, the floor, the fence, and installation of lights on the structure have not yet been completed. Toshao Paul Chekema said the team is proud to assist in the reconstruction of the Umana Yana. He said his family tradition is a proud one, and their services are open to any market for persons who are interested in building benabs.

Indigenous buildings are known for their coolness in the tropical heat, because of the natural materials used, especially the thatched roof. The old Umana Yana was a much admired part of Georgetown’s scenery, and was constantly used as an exhibition and conference centre. The 55-foot-high structure was made from thatched allibanna and manicole palm leaves, and wallaba posts lashed together with mukru, turu and nibbi vines. The original structure was put up in 80 days, but was destroyed by fire in just 15 minutes, on September 9, 2014.

The materials were supplied by the villages of Masakenari and Moraikobai. Work commenced since last year at the original site, and the cost of the entire project is expected to be around $66.7M.