Exploring the Connection between Music, Culture and Tradition

By Shaniya Harding

SONGS like ‘The Matapee’ and ‘Welcome Amerindians’ have become synonymous with Amerindian Heritage Month in Guyana and with indigenous people everywhere. These songs and music in general have always played a significant role in the culture and tradition of indigenous people.

The sounds created by a people are almost as important as the language they use. And people like Julian Kattow, the writer and singer of ‘The Matapee’, are working to ensure the culture of his people lives on through his music.

The significance of music in the Mission.
Julian, or ‘Mighty Pakuri’ as he is called by the villagers of St Cuthbert’s Mission, is a self-taught musician. Today, Julian plays the ukulele and keyboard, but the guitar, he says, was his first love at only 10 years old. As Julina stated, ‘The first time I had the guitar was to get a feel of it and from then on, there was no turning back. I started playing the guitar as though I went to guitar class, but it was just talent, natural raw talent.”

And talent it was indeed, as Julian went on to play many other songs in Guyana and around the world. His talent and unique love for music go far deeper than one would have thought. As Julian explained, all throughout his childhood, music, particularly cultural music, was a part of his people. “I was inspired by the string band players we had. They were very versatile in playing the violin, ukulele, banjo and the maraca.”

Even today as a musician, Julian still tunes and learns music purely by sound. This, Julian says, he learnt from the old musicians of St Cuthbert’s Mission. Although many are no longer around to entertain, their talent and way of music live on in people like Julian. As he stated, “The violinist was a self-taught musician. And we would just tell him the name of the songs and he would be ready to play.”

One of the things that makes St Cuthbert’s Mission as unique is in its ability to hold on to its cultural roots. As a child growing up in St Cuthbert’s Mission, life was easy, happy and simpler. As he stated, even simpler than today, “Growing up in St Cuthbert’s Mission was a fun time in our village. We used to go to the creek at 5:30 in the morning for our first bath. And walk home with water vapour coming from our skin.”

Rekindling Culture
As our country’s indigenous people, many Amerindians could still speak the language of their foreparents. Speaking of their mother tongue, however, seems to be a dying practice, primarily among the youth of St Cuthbert’s Mission. This is one of the reasons Julian incorporates as much of his native language as possible into his music.

As Julian stated, “Only a few of us are still around and still preserving these languages. Most of my music has been sung in my language, and the messages, we send messages out into our music.” The language that Julian is referring to is that of the Arawak people. And this, perhaps what has made Julian’s music so popular, is words and the meaning they have.

The popular ‘Matapee’ song talks about the importance of cassava. The song calls for the protection and preservation of this staple food of the Amerindian people. Whereas songs like ‘Shifoda’, talks of Amerindians returning to their roots and true cultural practices. And songs like ‘10 regions’, which tells the world of the many Amerindian tribes found in Guyana.

Julian continues to fight for the importance of the indigenous language to be recognised and emphasised. As he stated, “I have been advocating to get music into schools, especially the languages. I still feel like at some time we could start doing it. Presently, our Amerindian culture has been dying away. ” Julian went on to share how just a few of the people in St Cuthbert’s Mission today are working to keep the richness of their heritage alive through song.

Julin beside his beloved guitarThe Mission’s celebration
This year, as always, the people of St Cuthbert’s Mission have new plans for the upcoming heritage month. As Julian explained, the town celebrated the occasion long before it was known as Heritage Month.

“There were a few of us that started this celebration around 1985. We started this celebration and this was among one of the first Amerindian villages who saw that preserving the culture was important.” Julian said. This sentiment is heard throughout the village. Many of the people of St Cuthbert’s Mission seek to grasp their original indigenous culture.

Whether it is played by a group of enthusiastic villagers or its sound is heard through the pulse of speakers, music will remain as apart of the Mission. Julian says he believes that music is a part of the people, as he stated, “Without music I don’t know what I would have done. And I love my instruments and my music.”