Thousands brave rains to celebrate Pork Knocker’s Day in Linden

DPI, GUYANA, Saturday, August 26, 2017

Guyanese turned out in their numbers earlier today at the Bay Rock Ground in Linden to participate in the 17^th Pork-knocker’s Day activities under the theme “Mining Clean, Living Green”.

Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman said Pork-knocker’s Day is a National event, and as such the administration thought it “Should be exposed to other communities”. This Minister Trotman said was the reason for hosting the events in Linden as opposed to Bartica.

The Minister further added that Linden is a very strong mining community, “Bauxite being one of the pillars of our economy and thousands have benefitted from indirectly or directly. Lindeners themselves are miners in the interior, hence the event was held to pay tribute to the region’s (Regions 10 Upper Demerara-Berbice) contributions to Guyana’s economy”.

The event which acknowledges those in the mining sector, and enlightens citizens on the work of Pork-knockers, is usually held in Bartica (Region 7). The Natural Resources Minister explained that in, “No way do we want to diminish the importance of Bartica but we just thought that for this year, a change of venue would be better”. Bartica is known as the gateway to the interior, as  it  is the launching point for people who work in the interior, especially  Pork-knockers  to engage in mining.

Though it rained in Wismar the day was deemed a ‘success’ by Commissioner of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) Newell Dennison. He explained that the “response was quite good” and that these events are used as an opportunity for the various stakeholders in the mining industry to “come together to grow, and define themselves further”.

Pork-knocker’s Day saw a range of activities including Camp Building Competition, Jigging Competition, Cricket,

Bahir (cooks) Competition, Bateling Competition, Story Telling Competition, Football, Dominoes and Warishi Race. Booths were set up by the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and private investors.

Also attending the event were the Mayors of Linden and Bartica, Carwyn Holland and Gifford Marshall, as well as Member of Parliament Jermaine Figueira.

Holland told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that he was elated that Linden hosted this year’s event, noting that town has been playing a significant role in the mining of gold and diamond. “Showcasing the operation in the interior for many Lindeners has significant meaning,” he said.

Pork-knockers are Guyanese freelance prospectors who mine for diamonds and gold in Guyana’s interior. The name “pork-knockers” refers to their regular diet of pickled pork of wild pig that often consisted their main diet.  Pork-knockers have been responsible for discovering large deposits of gold and diamonds.

Pork-knocker’s Day was held following the conclusion of a week of events to observe Mining Week from August 20 to 26, 2017.