- Booklet designed to preserve Warrau language, culture, and heritage
- Educational resources and materials provided to schools and community centres
On September 29, the Guyana Marine Conservation Society (GMCS) in partnership with SBM Offshore Guyana officially launched a booklet featuring the culture and stories of the Warrau Indigenous people of Guyana. The launch, held at the National Centre for Educational Resources Development (NCERD), marked a significant step in preserving the Warrau language, culture, and heritage. Designed as both an educational and cultural resource, the booklet reflects a growing commitment to ensuring that Indigenous languages and traditions are preserved through education and community engagement.
GMCS is currently working with Indigenous communities in the Barima Mora Passage (BMP), Region 1 to conserve biodiversity while advancing education, awareness, and community capacity in natural resource management. The organisation also promotes sustainable livelihoods that strengthen conservation and community well-being, while supporting and celebrating Indigenous culture and traditions.
A Glimpse of Warrau Culture is the fourth book in the BMP adventure series produced by GMCS with support from SBM Offshore Guyana. This booklet features a rich collection of stories, cultural references, language exercises, and illustrations that bring the traditions of the Warrau people to life. Beyond being a teaching aid, it is intended to serve as a bridge between generations, giving young learners access to their ancestral language while fostering cultural pride. Complementary activities such as storytelling sessions, workshops and cultural performances will also be organised in schools and community centres across Region One to encourage interactive learning experiences. These initiatives aim to create interactive spaces where students and teachers can connect with the Warrau heritage in a meaningful and lasting way. The booklet also celebrates the work of Indigenous artist Courtney Douglas, who painted the mural of the Warrau story which is on display at the Imbotero Research Centre in the Barima Mora Passage. His mural inspired the illustrations of the “Sky People” depicted in the booklet.
During the launch, Director of NCERD, Omwattie Ramdin, noted that as a former teacher, she has a deep appreciation for the initiative. She said, “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.”
Mrs. Annette Arjoon-Martins, GMCS Co-Founder and Project Director, in her remarks thanked SBM Offshore Guyana for their continued support.
“Thanks to SBM (Offshore Guyana) for making this possible. But best of all, it (the partnership) allowed (the creation of]) a suite of awareness tools using technology from the booklets to the animations, to the videos, to even a documentary,” she posited.
SBM Offshore Guyana’s General Manager, Martin Cheong reinforced the company’s commitment to support cultural preservation, noting, “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. At SBM Offshore Guyana, we believe sustainability is about more than protecting the environment; it is also about valuing people, their culture and knowledge. Today’s launch is a shining example of that vision in action.”
He noted that SBM Offshore Guyana is also supporting an Indigenous language database to further preserve the culture of Guyana’s first people.
This initiative aligns with the company’s local development priorities, particularly addressing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education and Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities. By equipping schools and communities with culturally grounded resources, the booklet strengthens Indigenous identity while empowering youth across Guyana.
The launch was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Education, Protected Areas Commission, Iwokrama, Conservation International Guyana, EMC Foundation, other partners and members of the Indigenous community themselves, underscoring the importance of cultural ownership in initiatives of this kind.
