PAKURI resident Paul Andrews, who is the Treasurer of the Village Council had the privilege of overseeing the construction of the Pakuri benab; a beautiful piece of Indigenous architecture made out of dried ite` palm leaves.

It took him and the team which consisted of youths from the village two months to complete the benab, which has now become the showpiece of the indigenous community.

Thirty young men from the village assisted in the construction of the benab under his supervision which, he described as quite a task, but together they were successful.

He related that the ite` palm leaves were sourced from the community after which they were cut and placed to dry for one week before being used to make the roof of the benab.

The father of eight said they had another benab in the village but it deteriorated and it was decided by the Village Council that a new one should be constructed in time for Amerindian Heritage Day celebrations.

The Pakuri benab can accommodate up to 250 persons and is also designed to house hammocks and serves as a guest house for visitors.

Andrews said that the Pakuri benab is the first of its kind being a hybrid of the Wai-Wai/Arawak tribes in design, with the `siding’ made out of baramali wood skin which was also sourced from within the village.

He stated that the benab has a lifespan of about 15 years and the ite` leaves will deteriorate faster than the baramali wood.

Several cultural events took place inside the Pakuri benab last Saturday to observe Amerindian Heritage Village Day which was attended by President David Granger, ministers and others.