By Shaniya Harding

ANYONE entering the village of St Cuthbert’s Mission for the next few weeks will experience the hustle, bustle and hard work of preparing for this year’s heritage month. The village of St Cuthbert’s has long been known for its heritage celebrations. But like the people, the village is now working to make the best heritage celebration even better.

Heritage Month in St Cuthbert’s Mission really is an entire month’s worth of celebration and observance. But the main event, as per tradition, takes place on the last Saturday in September. Although the residents will have many of the same shows, dances and music, they plan to give everything a twist.

The Heritage Month celebration goes far beyond the usual run-of-the-mill events. St Cuthbert’s Mission as a village has culture embedded in its very people. This year is shaping up to be more than a show and a few songs, but a cultural display by a proud group of talented people.

With events from the end of August to the last week in September, the calendar of activities is packed and exciting. The people are not only planning but performing, with songs by the village’s own Julin Kattow, also known as the Mighty Pakuri, to dances by the village’s young people. The Mission’s heritage this year is bound to be an explosive one.
Sunita Mohabir-Causway is a teacher in St Cuthbert’s Mission. She was born there and grew up on the East Coast. She returned over 18 years ago to live in her village and has been actively helping her community ever since.

When asked what is different about this year, she stated that they are hoping to have this year be unforgettable, as she said, “This year we have a heritage committee and we have pledged to make this year’s heritage bigger and better. And make it one that will remain with persons for the rest of their lives. We are working towards achieving that at the moment.”

Sunita then went on to say, “We are having the regular stuff that we usually have, but we’re trying to upscale what we are giving to the people. We will have a nice heritage programme, which will be a formal programme; and we are also catering for the persons who couldn’t make it during the day. So, if you can’t make it during the day, we have another programme at 7 in the night.”
Sunita said that even this year’s long-awaited and anticipated ‘wash down’ will have lifeguards and extra safety precautions for the beachgoers on Sunday. This comes as the annual population of people at the Mission’s Heritage Month increases every single year. And with a bigger crowd, the village seeks to create a brighter, more enjoyable, enigmatic atmosphere.

Penelope Dundas is on St Cuthbert’s Mission planning committee this year. She emphasised that, apart from the show and celebrations, the village has much more planned and more to offer.
Idris Defritas is a proud member of the planning committee. She explained just how difficult panning for a celebration of that magnitude had been.

Ameera Hussain has lived in the village she calls beautiful for more than 20 years. Ameera is the secretary in the village’s council and head of the tourism committee, councillor with responsibility for the health sector, and chairperson behind this year’s heritage month.

Perhaps the reason why people feel a sense of uniqueness when in St Cuthbert’s Mission is because it is. As Ameera explained, St Cuthbert’s Mission stands out. “St Cuthbert’s Mission is the only Amerindian village that can be found in Region 4 that has a title,” she said.

Ameera then went on to explain what will make this year different is the effort put into it. She stated that the activities will be more organised and the celebration would be memorable.
For an occasion as significant as the Heritage Month, the committee is working hard to make the occasion memorable. They ensure that there will be dancing, singing and fun, everything you expect and more. As Ameera stated, “We have a packed programme of activities from the first to the last. But in order for you to experience and to be a part of our celebration you have to be here.”