COTTAGE, along Maichony, is as picturesque in nature as its name suggests. But it is a community that many may overlook as just a stop along the way. Cottage covers a stretch of Maichony no more than a mile long. It is, however, one of the few places in Guyana that has remained primarily unchanged. Cottage is one of the best examples of what it means to be a village. With a population of less than 300 people, Cottage is certainly a place where people still farm and cows still have a place to graze.

The close-knit and friendly nature could be felt when strolling through the community. Cottage is home to a diverse culmination of people, where neighbours look out for each other. Like various other communities in Guyana, Cottage was built on a cotton plantation. The community’s agricultural essence is still alive and well, with almost every home having a kitchen garden of its own. One of its focal points is its nursery school. Although it is one of the smaller schools, it is still an incredibly lively addition to the community.

During the Pepperpot Magazine’s visit to the community, we came across the home of one of Cottage’s first families. Anna Chichester lives at lot 1 Cottage, marked as one of the first homes ever built in Cottage. Over the years, Anna’s grandparents have passed. But their beliefs and way of living have endured. However, with a few modern adjustments, Anna tries to live life as authentically as possible.

Anna’s home stands out as being visibly agricultural-orientated. Her vast open yard houses different species of plants, some of which are crops while others are merely for decoration. Keeping true to the nature of self-sustainability, Anna also raises several chickens and ducks, a sight that is very unlikely to be found anywhere around Georgetown. She welcomed the Pepperpot Magazine into her home, explaining that spending her life in Cottage was beautiful. Experiences such as farming and manual labour are still a part of life in Cottage, and Anna says that she would not have it any other way.

Anna grew up in Cottage and experienced a childhood filled with all the countryside activities that one may expect. For as long as she could remember, and going as far back as her family’s history is recorded, their home marks the village’s beginning. Although much of the community’s history is preserved, a few aspects are still missing. Anna shared that, “Growing up, we all just knew it as Lot 1. I do not know exactly how we got lot 1, but maybe it was because of my parents.” What Anna does know for certain, however, is the prevalence and importance of agriculture to the community and, more significantly, to life.

Agriculture is such a big part of Cottage’s existence that childhood memories and fireside stories are told of cattle rearing and crop cultivation. Anna recounted stories she was told of how her grandfather survived and fed his family. She shared that, “My grandfather loved to mine cows and loved farming.” This illustrious admiration for agriculture was forged from the decades when farming was essential, the only option available for work. Some may argue that with the introduction of modern amenities and countless job opportunities now available, small-scale farming is no longer relevant. Anna disagrees. She says her way of life is ideal.

According to Anna, the simplicity of life in Cottage is what adds to how special calling the community home is. She stated “To tell you the truth, we do not want to move anywhere else. We just like it here because we can get everything fresh. We could plant.” Anna and her family, many of whom are spread out across the community, have no dire needs or intentions of leaving Cottage.

Throughout the years, Anna says that Cottage has seen some change. The community has seen the introduction of a few new streets and is slated to benefit from a few more infrastructural upgrades. Apart from that, however, Anna says that Cottage does not need much else. She explained that almost every community member, regardless of their nine-to-five jobs, still engages in agriculture to remain somewhat self-reliant. Anna shared, “Everybody’s backyard has a garden, cattle rearing, and some fruit trees. We do buy eggs or buy greens.”

Cottage is a community that has withstood the tests of time. The people of the community mirror its reliance on humility and understanding. There are very few communities around Guyana where not only has the authentic lifestyle been kept in practice, but it is also praised. The people of Cottage praise their community as the perfect place to call home, as they consider Cottage a little piece of paradise.