Ministry of Education Junior Archaeology Summer Camp gets positive review

DPI, GUYANA, Wednesday, July 19, 2017

Youths attending the Ministry of Education’s, Department of Youth, Junior Archaeology Summer Camp, expressed their gratitude for being able to learn more about the Indigenous Peoples’ journey to Guyana among other areas highlighted.

Eleven (11) year-old Ziya Bacchus said that, joining the workshop is part of her plan to learn more about the country’s history, especially since it will also allow her to get hands on experience as an aspiring archaeologist.

“I really like archaeology and when I heard about the classes offered and I told my parents, since they support my dream they brought me here. From the time I came here, I have learned quite a lot, though most of the things the teacher taught me. I like the pictographs and hieroglyphics that they have taught me and I’d really like to follow up with them,” Bacchus said.

Participating also is Chayyah Lewis, who is holidaying in Guyana, said she has been enjoying her time at the workshop, though she added she has not made a lot of friends. She noted, “the stories told are interesting,” and that she hopes to tell her friends about what she has learned, especially how to draw hieroglyphics and the meaning of the symbols.

“I like museum and the story behind those items, even the opportunity to explore in museum, so my mom signed me up

for this camp. My favorite part of the camp is the story of the Guyanese people particularly the Indigenous Peoples. One of the things that fascinate me about the Indigenous people, is how they make their pots,” Lewis said.

The six-day workshop aims to create awareness among youths about the Indigenous Peoples’ journey to Guyana and how their livelihoods were maintained. It caters for children between ages 8 to 11 and is being held at the Walter Roth Museum of Anthropology, Main Street.

Assistant librarian, Linesha Barton told the Department of Public Information(DPI) in an interview, that the workshop also helps the museum in its primary aim to ensure that persons are able to gain firsthand and accurate information about the Indigenous Peoples’ tribes in Guyana.

“The aspect of the programme that we (teachers) are doing, is to teach the students about the nine Indigenous Peoples’ tribes and provide them with a little definition of each tribe and what they have to offer. We also give them a tour of the museum, from the ground floor straight up, so they can get an idea what the museum is all about,” Barton explained. She noted that the theme, “Educating students through history. Inspiring creativity and adventures for learning,” speaks, “greatly about the information highlighted to the youths”.

An overview of the ethnic group’s diet, communication, transportation and storytelling was made available to the participants. Barton stressed that the participants will also be exposed to a hunting exercise, while opportunities will be provided for interaction with an indigenous tribe.

The Walter Roth Museum of Anthropology is the oldest museum in Guyana that conducts anthropological research and disseminates knowledge of the Indigenous Peoples.

 

By: Neola Damon