National Trust launches 2nd edition of Akawaio Basketry Techniques

DPI, GUYANA, Monday, September 24, 2018

The National Trust of Guyana through the Ministry of Social Cohesion, today officially began its Indigenous Heritage Week Exhibition with the re-publication and launch of Akawaio Basketry Techniques written by Faye Case.

Delivering the feature address, Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton urged the public to embrace and preserve their culture and heritage for the benefit of the future generation.

“You must know that culture and heritage are so critical to our existence as humans. It is a significant agenda item within the SDG’s being linked to education, food security, environment…. this is why it is important to preserve the culture and the traditions that we inherited from our ancestors so that they can be used as tools for the future generations,” Minster Norton said.

[In the photo, from left to right] Chairman of the National Trust of Guyana, Lennox Hernandez, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Trust of Guyana, Nirvana Persaud, Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton and Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock unveils Akawaio Basketry Techniques.

Scenes of the National Trust of Guyana’s Heritage Exhibition.

Scenes of the National Trust of Guyana’s Heritage Exhibition.

Scenes of the National Trust of Guyana’s Heritage Exhibition.

Scenes of the National Trust of Guyana’s Heritage Exhibition.

Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock receives first copy of Akawaio Basketry Techniques from Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Trust of Guyana Nirvana Persaud.

Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton receives first copy of Akawaio Basketry Techniques from Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Trust of Guyana Nirvana Persaud.

The minister also encouraged other local authors to follow in Case’ footsteps in highlining and documenting the country’s culture.

It was highlighted that this second edition of Akawaio Basketry Techniques focuses on both the tangible and intangible heritage of the Akawaios living in the Upper Mazaruni. It is an ethnographic research and documentation project undertaken by Case from 1975 to 1977 and was first published in 2006. The booklet has been re-published with improved images and designs.

Nirvana Persaud, CEO of the National Trust, noted that this year’s event focuses on establishing a link between heritage preservation and sustainable development. This, she said, is being made possible through collaborative efforts between tourism bodies, the Department of Environment and the Ministry of Education among others.

“It is the hope of the National Trust of Guyana, that this plan will help citizens and policymakers better understand the important role heritage plays in every façade of life,” CEO Persaud said.

Lennox Hernandez, Chairman, of the National Trust, Permanent Secretary (PS) of the Ministry of Social Cohesion, Melissa Tucker among others were also present at the launch.

Over the years, the National Trust has expanded on its annual Heritage Week activities that now includes exhibition, outreaches with the support of relevant stakeholders. Copies of the book were also presented to representatives of Freeburg Secondary School and St. Stanislaus College, University of Guyana, National Library among others.

The exhibition is being hosted under the theme Today’s heritage for tomorrow’s generation: safeguarding and promoting Guyana’s Heritage in a Green Economy” and will be open to members of the public until October 31.

The National Trust will also be hosting two public lectures on October 5 and 8 at Moray House.

Neola Damon.
Images by: Jules Gibson.