A NEW educational booklet highlighting the culture, language, and heritage of the Warrau Indigenous people was officially launched on September 29 by the Guyana Marine Conservation Society (GMCS) in collaboration with SBM Offshore Guyana.
The launch ceremony, held at the National Centre for Educational Resources Development (NCERD), marked a milestone in efforts to preserve Guyana’s Indigenous languages and traditions through education and community engagement.
Titled A Glimpse of Warrau Culture, the booklet is the fourth publication in GMCS’s Barima Mora Passage (BMP) adventure series, produced with support from SBM Offshore Guyana. It contains stories, cultural references, language exercises, and illustrations that showcase the rich traditions of the Warrau people. Beyond its role as a teaching aid, the booklet is envisioned as a cultural bridge, enabling young learners to connect with their ancestral language while fostering pride in their identity.
Complementary storytelling sessions, workshops, and cultural performances are also being planned across Region One’s schools and community centres, providing interactive opportunities for students and teachers to engage with Warrau heritage.
The booklet’s artwork draws inspiration from a mural created by Indigenous artist Courtney Douglas, depicting the Warrau “Sky People.” His mural, displayed at the Imbotero Research Centre in the Barima Mora Passage, influenced the illustrations that bring the booklet’s stories to life.
Speaking at the launch, NCERD’s Director, Omwattie Ramdin, underscored the importance of the initiative. “We gather here not just to unveil a book but rather to have a peep into a window… through which younger generations and future scholars may look, learn and come to appreciate and celebrate the heritage of the Warrau people,” she said.
GMCS’s Co-Founder and Project Director, Annette Arjoon-Martins, expressed gratitude to SBM Offshore Guyana for its continued partnership. “Thanks to SBM Offshore Guyana for making this possible. Best of all, it allowed the creation of a suite of awareness tools—from booklets to animations, videos, and even a documentary,” she noted.
Meanwhile, SBM Offshore Guyana’s General Manager, Martin Cheong, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to cultural preservation. “This booklet is a beautiful celebration of heritage and identity, created to ensure that the stories, traditions, and wisdom of the Warrau people continue to inspire this generation and those to come,” he stated. He further revealed that the company is supporting the creation of an Indigenous language database to safeguard the culture of Guyana’s First Peoples.
The initiative ties into global sustainability priorities, addressing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4: Quality Education and 10: Reduced Inequalities. By equipping schools and communities with culturally relevant resources, the project strengthens Indigenous identity while empowering youth.
The launch was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Education, the Protected Areas Commission, Iwokrama, Conservation International Guyana, EMC Foundation, and members of the Indigenous community—demonstrating the shared commitment to ensuring cultural heritage remains a living, celebrated part of Guyana’s future.