WE have just concluded September which is also Amerindian Heritage Month. I think so much more can be done to highlight the arts and other aspects of things indigenous peoples especially their cuisine. It would be great if local restaurants made an effort to include some of the dishes on the menu, even if not all year, at least for that month. I had tuma (my favourite) at the media brunch I hosted and many had it for the first time and loved it. It was nice to see Broadway Hotel in Charlestown offering Amerindian cuisine at their restaurant in September on Sunday. They introduced fish Tuma made from the Tambaqui Fish. Also, chicken, beef and deer tuma that  were served with crispy fresh cassava bread or farine.  Patrons had the option of Piwari, an  alcoholic drink made by fermenting burnt cassava with grated sweet potatoes or Fly, a similar drink made from potato. The décor also reflected the Amerindian culture. I had a few glasses of fly from Calvin Roberts who was of the EXPO exhibitors and his Fly was a hit and you can drink it anytime of the year. It is a great gift to give some like Terry Caesar’s pepper sauce.

The first time I tasted this unique pepper that he made I knew it will always be in my kitchen.  The lemon carsreep pepper sauce is a product that was made by his grandmother since he was a child. “As far as my memories can take me back, it was just a divine combination of flavours. Suddenly, after I became 50 years, that flavour came back to me. I then started making it for our home and it was a hit that rocked my wife. She was overwhelmed,”he explained. Terry then started making it as a gift to give to friends during Christmas. The friends were amazed at the taste and they eventually encouraged him to bottle it and make it a business and he took their advice and it has been a hit with everyone who tasted it. You can also taste if you call him – his number 682 1637- to request a bottle.

I enjoyed my last Sunday morning in September, having breakfast with my mom who is an exceptional woman. We enjoyed my favourite indigenous cuisine which is Tuma and cassava bread. She was sharing a few conversations she had during the week discussing my foster dad whom I call Uncle Allan. Many people were remembering the contributions he made to their lives. He has passed over a year ago but memories don’t leave like people and it helps when the memories are good. He was the most selfless and compassionate person I have met through my 50 years. I still send a little thank you note to God for placing him in our lives for 37 years.  He has impacted my life in a major way and even my biological dad could not hold a candle to him. He was born in Region Eight and on my recent visit, I found myself thinking about his life as a young boy in Kurupukari, while looking at the school kids on the day. He was shy but displayed so much bravado in many rivers, especially the Mazaruni River from the stories I heard.

For those of you who know anything about rivers in Guyana, you’d know that those who traverse them require apt command, versatility and a sturdy hand. For those of you who know the might of our Mazaruni River, you’d be sure that the above is true, times one hundred. There was an unspoken beauty to the might possessed by Allan John, but almost in equal part was the ability to move with such humility. Those were the loudest traits about his living and have now become the force of the legacy he has left behind. He did so much, not expecting anything and with no fanfare. The way he lived reminds me of what we need to do while we have the chance. Idowu Koyenikan “Even though our time in this life is temporary, if we live well enough, our legacy will last forever.” I was inspired to honour people who are contributing to their communities in their own quiet way because of uncle Allan.  I had the opportunity to give Benita Roberts (in collage with uncle Allan) co co-ordinator of the Makushi Research Unit in the North Rupunini, her award last month.

I have so much admiration and respect for people who may not have a lot of material things but  make an effort to change lives positively. I am aware we have more Allan Johns and Benita Roberts and we will be finding them to show our appreciation. I challenge you to locate someone in your community who has never been recognised and show some appreciation in your own special way. You can also recommend someone to our committee by emailing livingwithintention11@gmail.com.

We are in a new month and we all can make an effort for positive. I will leave  you with a quote from one of my favourite mentors as we continue this beautiful journey called life BEYOND THE RUNWAY.

“We should not pursue money. We should pursue a vision, we should pursue purpose; for ourselves, for our country, and for our communities.” – Myles Munroe