TRAKKER invites the world’s to
urists and other visitors to explore the ecological, best kept-secret that is the Greenland of Guyana.
The only English-speaking State on the North-Eastern shoulder of continent South America, Guyana is a model of modern-day bio-diversity in its flora and fauna, as the world’s nature lovers are slowly discovering.
This piece will also evoke sharp nostalgia for those Guyanese now dispersed in a global Diaspora. For those who left a long time ago and don’t get back there a lot and especially those who might actually KNOW the three places featured here, the memories might just influence an early visit. FIRST, a trip to the TOP or NORTH of Guyana.
PORT KAITUMA
Now, technically a part of the concession of Barama Forest Company Limited, Port Kaituma first caught the attention of the world with the infamous mass murder/suicide which occurred at nearby Jonestown in November 1978, when the American cult leader of the People’s Temple, Jim Jones , led his 918 followers in a ritual of Death. There once was some discussions on recreating the nearby site as a tourist attraction for visitors to reflect on the ways of (evil) men.
Port Kaituma is linked to Matthews Ridge by road and has the country’s oldest railway line. This line was once used, during the fifties and sixties, to transport the manganese mined at Matthews Ridge, to Port Kaituma. While other railways have been scrapped, this railway is still serviceable and is maintained by Barama Company Limited. Go see for yourself this most scenic location in Guyana and realise that Venezuela is really a stone’s throw away.
Now to visit a community in roughly the CENTRE of the country.
A GOLDEN GROVE
Golden Grove situated on the East Coast of Demerara is better known by that name than the Golden Grove on the East Bank of the same river.
That is because the village on the east Bank is more popularly known by the shortened form, just GROVE
Eight miles from the capital city, going south, along the East Bank Demerara, is the sprawling two mile-long village of Golden Grove, somehow just called simply Grove.
Lying adjacent to the village of Diamond, Grove, with a population of 25,000 is easily the most densely populated, though not the largest village on the east bank of Demerara. Originally a totally East Indian village, 25 per cent of the residents are now of mixed and African races.
Administered under the Diamond Place/Grove National Democratic Council (NDC), the expanded boundaries of the former plantation include the original village, a housing scheme and two squatting areas.
Places of Worship
Religious places of worship are plentiful. There are two mosques, three Hindu and two Kali Mai Temples in addition to several churches representing various sects of the Christian denomination. Many are ‘bottom-house’ churches. But they compete equally with the proliferation of liquor restaurants and beer gardens that flourish, especially on weekends
Villagers who wish to get to the Western Bank of the river, do not have to go all the way to the Demerara Harbour Bridge or the Stabroek Market, a privately-owned stelling provides transportation across the river.
Seventy-five per cent of the working population in Grove works at Guysuco and the Demerara Distillers at Diamond. For most, Fridays are the happiest days since that is when they receive their weekly wages. Go visit this Golden Grove on Demerara’s eastern bank.
Now to the Eastern end of the Republic
OREALLA
This village can be found fifty-six(56) miles up the left of the Corentyne River. It starts at Mapena River and extends upwards for thirteen(13) miles.
Orealla is an Arawak word for “white mud” which is scientifically known as Kaolin. Deposits of this mineral, which is used for making porcelain, are known to be existing in the area. Older folk also say “white chalk” or “white cliffs”.
During the eighteenth century, German Moravian missionaries had sought to convert the Amerindians there and had decided that this was going to be done in Arawak, and to a lesser extent, Carib languages. The missionaries had arrived in Berbice in 1738 and were active in the Orealla area between 1740 and 1808. In converting the Amerindians, the missionaries translated portions of the Bible and other Religious Texts into the local dialects. Because of this, the Arawaks along the Corentyne River became the first to learn to read and write their own language. Even after the Moravians left the areas, as late as 1848, it was reported that the Arawaks could still read the Bible and sing hymns in their own language. And if you love Guyana’s wild meat, Orealla is for you.
We know there is much more to write and describe about these places. But the whole point is __ TRAKKER, wants you to go to Guyana. Enjoy!
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