Georgetown : The Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs launched Indigenous Heritage Month 2015, under the theme, ‘Preserving our Customs and Traditions’. Santa Aratak (formerly Santa Mission), a small Indigenous community in Region Three has been identified as Heritage Village.
Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe, promised a bigger and better celebration as attention is being placed on every aspect of the indigenous culture.
“I am hoping that the rest of our Guyanese brothers and sisters can come out and enjoy our craft, our food, our beverage and all the other stuff we will have there to offer,” Minister Lowe explained.
To accommodate the extensive programme planned for the month, renovations are currently being done to the Benabs at the Sophia Heritage Village. In addition, three more benabs will be constructed.
For the display of foods and crafts during the month of activities, emphasis will be placed solely on indigenous items. The Minister explained that several teams have been meeting and organizing to ensure that it fits in to the mandate of the Ministry.
Minister Lowe explained that previously, the focus was taken away from the Indigenous peoples and all other persons were allowed to take part in the activities, selling their food and beverages. This she said will not happen this year.
This year’s activities are set to kick off with a church service to be done in various indigenous languages. The indigenous food and craft exhibition should attract large crowds. Other main activities are, the heritage sports, cultural extravaganza, indigenous heritage festival and expo and, the heritage village celebrations.
The indigenous heritage month is set to begin on August 31st and end on September 30th.
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