MORAIKOBAI, the only indigenous Arawak village found in Region Five, is, according to the locals, nature’s true paradise. Nestled comfortably along the Mahaicony River, this village will welcome you with a calming sense of belonging.

More importantly, Moraikobai is an officially recognised tourism-focused village, constantly benefitting from support provided by the Guyana Tourism Authority to ensure that experiences are nothing short of extraordinary.

So, from a serene boat ride as you make your way to the village to an evening of cultural presentations, let’s take you through what it’s like to experience tranquility.

THE JOURNEY
One of the most appealing aspects of Moraikobai is that it can be as simple as a day trip out of Georgetown or, for the more adventurous types, an overnight experience may suffice.
The trip begins very early with a cool three to five-hour boat ride on the Mahaicony River, which provides an immediate introduction to some of Guyana’s wildlife, including our national bird, the Hoatzin, and even excited howler monkeys.

THE VILLAGE TOUR: CASSAVA BREAD, TACOMA WORM AND MUKRU
Upon arrival, you will be greeted with light refreshments and a cultural performance prior to a full tour of the village. Laid out around a central square, exploring properties which include a hospital, three churches and schools, this village is easy to navigate. Of course, you can expect to be treated to historical recollections during this tour.

The one-day tour continues with a cassava-processing demonstration. Under a traditional indigenous “work-benab,” you will get to witness and participate in each stage of the cassava processing — scraping, grating, matapeeing, sifting and of course the highlight — baking cassava bread. How about having a sample of tuma-pot with freshly baked cassava bread?

For the traveller with an adventurous appetite, you can give a helping hand to extract the Tacoma worm from the trunks of the Ité palm tree and sample one or two– raw or roasted, your choice! Many prefer roasted because the sweet coconut flavour is absolutely delicious!

After a traditional lunch in the village’s benab, you will be able to relax with opportunities for swimming, canoeing or simply basking in a hammock.
If you opt for the overnight tour, you can expect a walk to the Mora Bridge for an interpretation of the Mora story and learn how the village got its name, as well as the history and use of the Ité palm tree. You will also be able to experience a craft-making demonstration using mukru (a dried straw-like material). If you’re curious enough, you can try your hand at making your own souvenir.

At night, a cultural presentation will be the highlight of your stay before you retire to a night in the newly commissioned eco-lodge – Ubudi. There will be creative performances in the form of folktales and local songs performed by the villagers and there will be an open-mic segment for you to show off your skills.

THE NEXT DAY
The next day, you can indulge in an early-morning nature trail hike, followed by a hearty breakfast. You will learn how to canoe like a pro under the guidance of a skilled guide from the village. As you depart the village, you will be treated to one last activity. You will learn how to fish, clean and prepare your meal in authentic bush-cooking style in an area located just along the banks of the Mahaicony River. Be entertained by the howler monkeys echoing in the distance or shorebirds nearby, while you await your meal.

As with all the village-owned and operated eco-lodges in Guyana, all the residents speak English, so you can gain deeper insights into the local culture and way of life without the need for a translator. But if you wish, you may even get a chance to learn a phrase or two in Arawak from a village elder.

For more information on how you can schedule your experiential travel experience within an Indigenous village, do reach out to the Guyana Tourism Authority at 592-219-0093-6 or send an email to info@guyanatourism.com. You can also engage with us via WhatsApp at 592-688-4155 or follow us on social media – @Discover Guyana on Facebook and Instagram as well as the @Guyana Tourism Authority on Facebook. (Guyana Tourism Authority)