– Indigenous Heritage Month activities underway

THE United Nations estimates that every two weeks an indigenous language disappears; this worrying trend puts the respective indigenous cultures and knowledge systems at great risk.

This was disclosed by Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe, during the Media Launch for Indigenous Heritage Month Activities 2019 on Wednesday at Indigenous Village, Sophia Exhibition Site.

Under the theme “Maintaining our traditional practices while promoting a green economy” Minister Garrido-Lowe said August 9 coincides with celebrations around the world for International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples.

She said that the date marked the inaugural session of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations at the United Nations in 1982.

The Junior Minister said this year’s activities will be celebrated internationally under the theme “Indigenous Languages” and will focus on the current situation of indigenous languages around the world within the framework of the 2019 International Year of Indigenous Languages.

The Minister noted that the aim was to revitalize, preserve and promote indigenous languages.

She added that the Ministry, through the Secretariat, has successfully hosted evenings of Beyuka Erikida (Arawak which means musical gathering) at the Indigenous Village, Sophia.
During that event, she explained that persons are given an opportunity to share their talent through singing, dancing, storytelling and poems in Arawak, Carib, Warrau, Patamona, Akawio, Macushi, Wapichan, Wai wai or Arekuna.

She explained that persons also recite poems or tell stories about the Indigenous ways, hinterland life, the environment along with myths and legends.

“The Ministry will continue other initiatives that will ensure indigenous languages are preserved,” the Minister said.

She said one of the activities planned is the launching of a Patamona dictionary and a compilation of an Arekuna alphabet.

“There will also be a composition of teachings of modules for Arawak, Carib and Warrau languages, storytelling and musical festival, tourist handbooks and academic debates on institutionalization of indigenous languages,” Minister Garrido-Lowe.

Meanwhile, Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Sydney Allicock said the celebrations will allow persons to interact with the indigenous community and its history.

“We need to carve and create our own style, our own identity which is blended in the Guyanese society, something that is special; we should be able to understand the value of what we have and not to give it up for anything else, we have so much knowledge and so much that is happening, but we take it for granted and we sort of leave it there and others are picking it up and running with it, and we can very well lose that value,” Minister Allicock said.

Minister Allicock said the indigenous community should be encouraged to sustain its traditions and traditional knowledge to promote cultural information to a wider audience to foster a stronger sense of indigenous pride and cultural identity.