Regaining and redefining culture

Waiakabra is an Amerindian community that blurs the lines between what is considered indigenous in the best way possible. Home to a diverse mix of people, the Amerindian settlement is a beautiful blend of men and women from regions one through ten. Today, the community boasts an estimated population of 300 men, women, and children. Originally called Roberts’s Bush, the word “Waiakabra” means ‘getting together’. As the village prepares to celebrate Amerindian Heritage Month on September 21st, they are showing the rest of Guyana what it means to unite, regardless of differences.

Ann Mohanlall, a native of Region One, was born and raised in a little village called Hosororo in the Barima-Waini region of Guyana. Now a treasure of a community many miles away from her home, Ann explains that her family, like so many others, came to the village seeking new opportunities. Recounting her early experiences in the community, she said, “My parents, they were looking for work like 25 years ago. Because it’s not how it is today, it was very hard finding work in Region 1.”

After a change of luck, Ann’s father found work as a security guard, launching the beginning of the family’s new life. Waiakabra was then a small squatting area trying to find and develop itself, much like most of the families who now call the community home. As Ann stated, Waiakabra was once home to more trees than houses. “Then, it was a home to like 35 houses. With bush, with a lot of bushes. It was just tracks and not main roads.”

Coming a long way: Community Development

Just like its people, Waiakabra has developed and carved a new path for itself. Founded on diversity, with families from all around the country, the village grappled with numerous challenges in its early years. Basic necessities were scarce, with most villagers getting water from the nearby Waiakabra lake. Today, this is no longer the case. The village now has electricity and its own well, which are simple changes that have had a profound impact on the quality of life for Waiakabra’s people. Ann shared, “The development in Waiakabra has been good in the last few years. At first, we had to fetch water, and now we have our own well. We have had electricity for almost seven years now.”

One of the biggest achievements for the community has been attaining land leases. Ann explains that this has been a significant goal for the village for many years and has opened countless opportunities for its people. “We are regularised except for one plot. That would be Block 80. They’re not regularised as yet. Most of us already have our leases. That’s a big accomplishment. It’s a big accomplishment that we can go to the banks. We can do this, and we can do that. It’s something that we own now.” This sense of ownership extends beyond land titles. Waiakabra now houses an ICT hub, which facilitates classes for the community’s young people, and there are plans to develop a bakery.

A cultural melting pot: The people of Waiakabra

The people of Waiakabra are undoubtedly what makes the village stand out among its counterparts. While it’s an Amerindian community, Waiakabra is still proud of its vibrant diversity. “Waiakabra is an Amerindian community, but it’s also a mixed community,” Ann stated. This melting pot of people has given the community its own unique blend of cultures, where every cultural holiday is celebrated boldly among the mix of traditions, and Heritage is no different. Ann added, “Heritage is celebrated by everybody. It’s by everybody, and our Heritage is the 21st of this month.”

However, this unity goes beyond the bounds of tradition. The community bands together in challenging times as well. Ann shared, “We have that unity. We do have that love. If somebody dies or some accident or something, everybody is there in a second. The whole Waiakabra is there in a second. If we have something, when we do self-help, everybody comes out cooperating with everybody.”

The diverse population of Waiakabra is not a new occurrence, as Ann explains. The village’s vibrant mix of cultures has been integral to its formation and identity. “Everybody is actually mixed from the beginning. In this community, we have East Indian, Portuguese, and Amerindian. That’s how we get all the mixed races to come down. And then other persons, they go to other villages and then marry.”

Waiakabra stands as a bright and welcoming example that showcases the importance of community unity. As Ann shared, “We love Waiakabra because it’s very quiet. The only time you hear a lot of music is if there is an event going on. I would love people to know about Waiakabra.” Indeed, this diverse and harmonious village serves as a testament to what can be achieved when people come together, regardless of their backgrounds.