Carifesta X symposium highlights Amerindian artifacts

The Indigenous Art of Hammock weaving demonstrated

at CARIFESTA X in Guyana

GUYANA - A symposium on Indigenous Performance Traditions on Monday focused on the collection of Amerindian artifacts in the Austrian Museum of Ethnology which houses some 350 artifacts from Guyana. Most of these artifacts were collected from the Makushi and Wapishiana regions early in the 19th century by Austrian zoologist Johann Natterer. The symposium was held at the Guyana International Conference Centre, Liliendaal as part of a symposia panel for Carifesta X, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.

Minister within the Ministry of Education Dr. Desrey Fox opened the session and panelists Claudia Augustat, Head of the South American Collection, Museum of Ethnology in Vienna, Austria and Henk Tjon, Theatre and Artistic Director with the Surinamese Delegation to Guyana made presentations.

According to GINA, Minister Fox stated that indigenous performance tradition is probably the most misunderstood since it is not what people are accustomed to as it focuses on birds and animals with specific characteristics which the Amerindians find impressive.

This, she said, impacts on the very lives of Amerindians and helps them to survive in very harsh environments.

“We are in a country with a diversity of cultures and I don’t think we are able to utilize each other’s resources,” Minister Fox is quoted as saying. She noted also that this will “lead to understanding each other and to have a sense of deep identity which we are still grappling with.”

Meanwhile, Augusta said that according to records in the archives of the Austrian Museum, Natterer made his journey in 1831 by travelling up the Rio Branco River to the Brazilian border, then on the Takutu, Ireng and Pirara Rivers before reaching British Guiana.

The collection pieces featured body ornaments, weapons, basketry and musical instruments created and used by the indigenous peoples.

These include objects made from feathers, beads, seeds and animal teeth, GINA added.

Source: Stabroek News

Guyana: Carolyn Rodrigues for new Cabinet

Guyana, South America - President-elect Bharrat Jagdeo last evening named the first minister in his new Cabinet. Carolyn Rodrigues will retain her portfolio as Minister of Amerindian Affairs. Jagdeo who was re-elected president in the just concluded general and regional elections made the announcement while addressing an audience at the Umana Yana at the launching of Amerindian Heritage month.

According to a release from the Government Information Agency (GINA) the President also said that that he was hurt when he heard that an unnamed country (Suriname) was preparing to accommodate Guyanese refugees in anticipation of a possible outbreak of violence following Monday's polls. Post-elections violence has blighted this country since 1992 and many were fearful that there would have been attacks this time around.

Jagdeo did not give any further hints of the make-up of his cabinet, but he lauded the performance of Rodrigues, describing her as a wonderful person who has worked hard and genuinely cares for the people. He said he needed people like Rodrigues to work with him. Jagdeo also said that much more work needs to be done in indigenous communities, promising that his government for the next five years would focus on that.

He also addressed a few words to PNCR-1G presidential candidate Robert Corbin who was also at the event.

"I want to say to Mr. Corbin who is here that it will be our task over the next five years to take this country forward. We have to find ways, innovative ways to work together to solve the problems of our people".

Source: Starbroek News 09/02/06