Feature: Mabaruma's flare for development
Amerindian Heritage Village 2004
The North West District (NWD), as it is normally called, has
been one of the latest targets for potential tourism development
in Guyana .
With its hospitable people, prominent history, and its myriad
of impressive, compelling, and attractions, Region One (Barima/Waini)
has the inherent capability to attract people and investment.
On September 10, this year, Amerindians and other Guyanese are
expected to assemble in the Mabaruma Settlement to celebrate
Amerindian Heritage Day.
Mabaruma Settlement was selected as the heritage village this
year because of its historical significance to Guyana and because
villages in Regions Seven, Eight and Nine were recent heritage
villages.
The Minister pointed out that the Ministry is seeking to highlight
villages in the four main hinterland Regions (i.e One, Seven,
Eight and Nine) in which Amerindians live.
Mabaruma is one of the first communities in which Amerindians
settled. During the Spanish War of the 18 th century, many Amerindian
settlements were uprooted. The Dutch who occupied the country,
did nothing to prevent the Spanish raids. In 1890, the British
proclaimed the NWD as British possession. This was followed by
a Christian crusade and many Amerindians were converted into
Christianity.
Also, it has a high population of Amerindians. The Mabaruma
Sub -District's population is approximately Eight Thousand. It
has a geographic area of 3,000 square miles.
Over the years Mabaruma has evolved into a developed community.
It can be considered the ‘city' for the Barima/Waini Region.
To a large extent, the PPP/C Government has prepared it for
development. It is also a potential zone for tourism.
The community's basic infrastructures have been significantly
boosted over the years.
Like most interior Regions, communication and transportation
are perhaps the two most important services for residents of
Barima/Waini. This is because the area is a riverain community.
However, transportation to the NWD is more reliable today. Mabaruma
is accessible via air services, and overland. Trans Guyana Airways
Limited (TGL) has scheduled flights to that destination every
week. In addition, the steamer operated by the Transport and
Harbours Department (TH&D), provides services on a fortnightly
basis to persons wishing to travel to NWD.
The more adventurous visitors may venture through the Essequibo
Coast , the Pomeroon River , the Moruca River , into the Waini
River , Morawhanna, and unto Mabaruma.
There is a reliable traversing of speedboats operating from
Charity, almost on a daily basis into Moruca at reasonable costs.
Previously, passengers could only travel on Mondays, Thursdays,
and Sundays and occasionally on Fridays.
At Mabaruma, there is a reliable supply of public utilities
services. In addition there are a number of artesian wells in
the community to provide potable water.
A few years ago, the Canada-based Queen's Project of International
Development assisted the Mabaruma Neighbourhood Democratic Council
(NDC) to complete its water project.
Visitors also have access to telephones and the internet to
keep in touch with their families back home.
There are thirty-eight villages in this Sub-Region. Villages
in the immediate Mabaruma environs are Barabina, Mabaruma Township
, Mabaruma Settlement, Hobo, Kumaka, Kobeoreimo, Hosororo, Bumbury
Hill, Wanaina, Wauna Central , Lebanon , White Water, and Kamwatta.
These villages can all be accessed by road from the Mabaruma
Compoud, which is the centre of the Mabaruma area where all the
administrative activities take place. The Mabaruma Compound is
noted for its cleanliness and white-washed rubber-tree lined
avenue.
Residents believe that the most breath-taking panoramic view
on a clear day is at Wanaina. Where there are cloud-capped mountains
against azure skies, rolling hills, meandering silver-streaked
rivers and lush green valleys.
There are bus services that provide transportation to and from
some of these nearby villages such as Hosororo that is famous
for its organic cocoa production and strong Catholic following.
Here the Sisters of Mercy founded the school and the Catholic
community years ago.
The convent was, however, closed in the early seventies.
Life in Mabaruma is not as slow as in some hinterland communities.
Residents depend mainly on agriculture for their economic sustainability.
The health care services in the community are adequate to cater
for the basic illnesses of the community. The hospital will soon
be reconstructed to expand its services.
Meanwhile, as the Region is perceived as a malaria district,
the Ministry of Health is testing a new anti-malaria drug there.
However, it should be noted that there has not been any significant
increases in Malaria in recent years in the hinterland.
Of the 57 schools in Region One, 31 are in the Mabaruma Sub.District.
Until recently, the only Secondary school was at Mabaruma.
There is also an active community library and resource centre
in the centre of the District that can be readily accessed.
Mabaruma, which was originally named Shiba (an Arawak word meaning
place of rocks) is well known for football.
A Regional team sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Youth
and Sport was the first from the hinterland to compete in the
Kashif and Shanghai games in 1999. Several of its players are
now in national teams.
It also has the largest sports ground in the Region.
There is a Regional Guest House and a privately-owned guest
house (Broomes Hill) that provide accommodation for visitors.
Among some of the interesting sites in this part of the Region
are the Kissing Rocks at Mabaruma and Skull Point and Tiger-Cave
at Wauna. Wauna is also well-known for its oil palms and scenic
attractions. However, the Region's untapped oil reserve is at
Iron Point.
Mabaruma is a Carib word that means “my grater”.
It extends from Pointa Player in the North West to Koriabo village
in the South, the Imataka Mountain range in the West, and Moraibo
Creek in the East.
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Saturday,
August 14, 2004