VILLAGERS of Moraikobai on the Upper Mahaicony River in Region Five (Mahaica/Berbice). will stage a special day of celebrations to mark Amerindian Heritage Month 2017.

September 16, is the day set aside and the programme of activities will include sports featuring a cross-country race, cricket, football and volleyball and other games against a backdrop of arts and crafts exhibitions and food drinks and music, according to Deputy Toshao of the Arawak community, Ms. Mary Joseph.

She noted that some of the games such as canoeing and shooting of arrows, as well as drinks like the paiwari fly will be unique to the indigenous peoples
The programme begins at 9 am and the fun will go into the evening with a beauty pageant, with teenaged girls from the community who will don traditional Amerindian costumes to vie for coveted Miss Moraikobai,crown, Joseph added.

She noted that the Heritage Month festivities are an annual feature planned by the Village Council in September, and the organisers plan to make it more colourful and enjoyable this year.
The village of Moraikobai, located some 95 miles up the Mahaicony River, is the only Indigenous community in Region Five.

Logging and farming are the two main economic activities of the riverain community.