DURING the visit, two children passed by and as they chatted, the peculiarity was evident in the language they spoke. Later it was noted that the children spoke the indigenous Macushi

language, one of several aspects of the culture of Annai Central which has been preserved by the village.

Annai Central lies approximately 72 miles (or 115 KM) north of the township of Lethem, the regional administrative capital of the Rupununi. The village, which is home to a government compound, has a population of approximately 550 persons. The village is connected to several satellite villages including Ruperte , Kwatamang,Aranaputa,Wowetta and Surama.
The village is governed by a Toshao who also overlooks the five satellite villages, each of which is governed by senior councillors.

During a recent visit, Toshao Mark George told the Guyana Chronicle that the village is known for its peaceful, hospitable people who are always willing to assist. This was evident when the village provided assistance to this reporter in the form of bicycles to travel within and outside of the village to the satellite areas.
Last weekend, George and his friends relaxed under a tree as his family busied themselves in preparation for a day of sports on Easter Sunday.

Mike Williams, a prominent resident and former Toshao, noted that while the village comprises predominantly Macushi people, there are families of the Wapishiana indigenous group within the village.

“Residents still speak the language and this is passed on to the children” Williams said noting that the village played an integral role in the work of the Macushi Research Unit, which was implemented to preserve the culture of the villages in the North Rupununi. He said that the research focused on planting, hunting and the language and according to him, the language was also taught in the schools.
In addition, Radio Paimowak , the country’s first community radio station which lies three miles away from Annai Central, also broadcasts in English and also the two indigenous languages. He said that the local programmes aired on the radio foster agriculture, culture

and current affairs at Annai.

Most residents of Annai Central are engaged in farming, including cassava and peanut cultivation, the latter which is planted on a large scale to supplement food programmes in the area. In addition, residents also rear cows to supplement their livelihoods while others operate small fish pond projects.
Recently, works were undertaken to empolder a wide area where water was being contained on the outskirts of the village. Williams said that the project has its origins in the creation of additional option as a water source for the village in light of El Nini dry weather conditions which baked the country from

mid-2015 for several months. It will eventually be transformed into a fish poind.

The village receives water from a well in the government compound; the water runs through pipes which are located in front of homes in sections of the village. Some residents utilise wells dug in their yards as another source of water.
The village was once powered by a generator which was based in the government compound and residents received electricity

starting at $3000 per month at the time. Later, the generator malfunctioned and was taken to Lethem for repairs but was never fixed. Then, residents of the village received solar panels under a government initiative and that remains the primary means of electricity supply.

Several years ago, a fire caused by flying cinders of a resident’s garbage heap, caught onto the roof of the villages’ benab . Within minutes, the structure was reduced to ashes, but according to Williams the incident provided an opportunity to rebuild a stronger benab, which

he noted signifies the strength and temperament of the residents.
The benab , which stands at 70 feet tall and said to be one of the largest in Guyana , was rebuilt at a cost of $4.5M . The structure is 95% complete and there are minor works which remain. “When we built this benab first I ensured that its width is four feet wider than the one in Georgetown {Umana Yana}”, Williams said, with a smile, noting that he was village captain at the time when the rebuilding was undertaken.

Beyond the benab’s compound are other noticeable buildings including two Christian churches one of which is home to the Anglicans. Residents noted that the villages’ origin is

tied to the Anglican Church and as such the denomination is a key aspect of the religious characteristic of the village.
In the distance, an aircraft could be heard as low clouds hovered over the Aranaputa Mountains west of Annai Central. The airstrip is currently undergoing an upgrade and this will see larger sized aircraft such as the Beechcraft1900 being able to land there.

So how does one reach Annai?
The village is connected to the Coastland via the Linden/Lethem road and most persons

utilize the public transportation services offered by the minibus services which charge persons $9000 per seat one way.

The village receives mobile phone and data service from the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GTT). The famous Rock View Lodge is located within the village while the Oasis restaurant, a stop-off point on the way to Lethem for travellers, is located within the village.

Another eatery, the D&D Restaurant located a few hundred metres away from the Oasis is also another option for food and beverages. For visitors , the regional guest house provides a reliable service at cost starting at $3000 per night per person.

The village is home to a police station, health centre as well as several other government agencies including a unit which falls under the purview of the National Agricultural Research Extension Institute (NAREI) as well as an office of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

Most residents travel outside and around the village on Honda 125 motorcycles and similar off-road bikes, a feature which is observed throughout the Rupununi and whether they are in a hurry or not, residents would not hesitate to greet the first-time visitor, a characteristic of the hospitable people of Annai Central.