Victoria Village on the East Coast of Demerara will mark its 187th anniversary this year with the revival of its traditional Market Day, set to return on Thursday, April 2.
Founded in November 1839 by freed African ancestors who pooled their resources to purchase Plantation Northbrook, Victoria Village is recognised as Guyana’s first village and remains a lasting symbol of community enterprise, agriculture and self-determination.
The reintroduction of Market Day is intended to honour that legacy while providing a structured space for local farmers, artisans and small businesses to sell fresh produce and handmade goods.
Brian Smith, Chairman of the Cudjoe Family Foundation, said the initiative reflects a shared commitment among villagers to restore a vital part of community life and economic activity.
“The Market Day was proposed by the family and shared with the wider village, as we intend to begin rebuilding our place in the domestic market. Market days were traditionally held on Saturdays, but we have chosen Thursday as it signals the start of the weekend, and we want people to have access to the freshest and best produce. The World Bank has long identified market days and small and medium-sized enterprises as key to community and national development, and this is very much the direction we are taking,” Smith said.
The market will be held weekly on Thursdays from 04:00 hrs, beginning at the village entrance along the main road near the Guy Oil Gas Station and extending into the community. Visitors can expect a wide range of goods, including fresh vegetables, homemade breads, bush teas, eggs, fish, and locally sourced meat and poultry.
Victoria Village has long been known for products such as honey, cassava bread, pepper sauces and seasonings, rooted in traditional knowledge and craft. Notably, the well-known Major’s brand, established in 1940, originated in the village, alongside longstanding producers such as the Moses Cassava Bread Factory.
The initiative has been approved by the Haslington/Grove Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), with support from the Cove and John Police Station to ensure safety and orderly operations. Vendor registration is ongoing, with sanitation measures being coordinated alongside the NDC and residents.
Neighbouring villages will also be invited to participate, broadening the range of produce and encouraging regional collaboration.
“We are grateful for the support of the NDC and the Guyana Police Force. We aim for the Victoria Market to become a vibrant and sustainable weekly event, and for locally produced goods to grow into nationally recognised brands. There is strong potential here—from handmade fudges to herbal teas—and a real sense of enthusiasm. The villagers are ready,” Smith added.
The revival forms part of a broader effort to strengthen small and medium-sized enterprises within the community, particularly supporting women and young entrepreneurs, while reinforcing Victoria Village’s role as a hub of local production and trade.
