AT the beginning of September 2015, which was the first Amerindian Heritage Month since Brigadier David Granger was elected to the presidency, His Excellency announced a rescue plan for Guyana’s fading Amerindian languages. While Guyana’s first peoples were, to an alarming extent, neglected by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) regime, whose officials often publicly insulted, and even physically threatened them, the David Granger administration to the admiration of Guyanese and foreigners alike, has vowed to ensure that Guyanese Indigenous peoples be given the recognition and respect that they deserve.
That recognition includes President Granger’s policy initiative to preserve Indigenous culture, including their languages. On that occasion in 2015, the president said, “The rich and diverse culture of our Indigenous peoples need to be safeguarded…Today, I wish to particularly express my hopes for indigenous languages in this republic.” Echoing the president’s position, Minister George Norton said that, “Preserving Guyana’s traditional knowledge, languages and practices, is preserving a part of what makes us a nation with a rich cultural heritage – it is a part of the national patrimony which we must pass to the generations to come. The effects of colonisation took its toll and eventually, much of what was indigenous, faded, however, we cannot allow the language and culture to die.” Minister Norton was, at that time, addressing a forum at the Umana Yana, in observance of International Mother Languages Day and International Year of Indigenous Languages in September 2019.

The President’s initiative to preserve such languages is, in fact, not haphazard or ad hoc; it is, instead, a requirement of the Constitution of the Republic of Guyana. Article 149G mandates that, “Indigenous peoples shall have the right to the protection, preservation and promulgation of their languages, cultural heritage and way of life. And, considering President Granger’s reverence for the constitution as part of his administration’s respect for the rule of law, His Excellency’s establishment of such a policy is not at all surprising.
Archaeological evidence proves that indigenous peoples have lived on this land, which is now named Guyana, for at least 12,000 years. Experts agree too, that originally, Indigenous peoples such as the Maiongkongs, Maopityans, Drios, Tarumas, Amaripas, and Pianoghottos lived here, but disappeared after colonisation. That mind-boggling fact alone makes Indigenous peoples special and unique in the diverse tapestry of Guyanese culture. Currently, nine Indigenous tribes live in Guyana, and many of them communicate in their various languages. Those languages are: Macushi, Akawaio, Wai-Wai, Arawak, Wapishana, Patamona, Warrau, Carib, and Arecuna. The names of the nine languages correspond to the names of the Indigenous tribes that use them.

Since President Granger announced his administration’s commitment, in line with the requirements of the constitution, much concrete progress has been made, not to mention the resulting public attention that has been placed on the subject. After all, it is important to note that disappearance of a language has wide-reaching negative effects. When a language dies, so do the songs, stories, and insights of an entire culture. However, keeping an indigenous language alive allows communities to preserve knowledge acquired over the years, and fosters pride of ownership and connection with the native land. Such values are priceless.

Guyana is a country with a rich history which connects our past experiences and knowledge to our present, beautifully diverse tapestry. It is therefore in our national interest to preserve our cultural heritage. Government continues to make progress in the compilation of dictionaries of Indigenous languages. The David Granger administration carries broadcasts in Indigenous languages on stations that have been set up by the APNU+AFC government. Recently, for the first time, a debate in the Patamona language was hosted in Paramakatoi, Potaro-Siparuni, Region # Eight to bring the curtain down on activities in observance of 2019 which was designated as International Year of Indigenous Languages; and the progress continues.

As national and regional elections approach, all Guyanese–including Indigenous Guyanese–should reflect on the fact that much progress has been made in all aspects of national life. Guyana’s first peoples should resolve to ensure that such progress continues. Never again should Guyanese allow our first peoples to be neglected nor disrespected.