On Saturday, Guyanese from all walks of life turned out at the Sophia Exhibition Centre, feasting their eyes on the art, craft, and cuisines of the Indigenous People, as part of the month-long celebration. Many also purchased, providing opportunity for exhibitors to earn a living for their talent and dedication for what they do.
Craft on display (DPI photo)
Exhibitors, who spoke with the Department of Public Information, shared their joy of returning to the exhibition site after two years. Guyana was locked down during the early stage of the pandemic, then moved to partial re-opening, and is now fully open for business. Guana’s first COVID-19 case was identified in March 2020.
Roland Taylor from Rupertee, Region Nine, said he has been making ornaments from hard woods such as purple heart and powering a conservation of the region for 35 years.
He has been participating in expos from the start. According to him, “Since in 1985, I think that was the first exhibition it had at the Umana Yana that is what I can remember. So, since then I have started attending the heritage exhibition. I feel good right, I feel like ohh it come back because actually everybody was waiting for it and so it come back and I feel good.”
Leomi Willis from Mabaruma, Region One, said she is proud to be an Amerindian as she showcased her craft. Pointing out that she is from the Arawak and Warau tribe, she said she is really proud of knowing her culture.
In 1995 President Dr Cheddi Jagan declared September Amerindian Heritage Month in honour of Guyana’s first Amerindian Member of Parliament, Stephen Campbell, who was sworn in on September 10, 1957, and to also honour the contributions of Guyana’s Indigenous Peoples.
