Bumbury in Reg 1 identified as this year’s Amerindian Heritage Village

…MoAA unveils activities for next month

Bumbury, in Region One (Barima-Waini), has been selected as this year’s Heritage Village by the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs (MoAA). The community will serve as the focal point for national activities marking Amerindian Heritage Month, in keeping with annual traditions surrounding the celebrations. This was announced by Amerindian Affairs Minister, Sarah Browne-Shadeek on Tuesday, who also announced other activities planned for next month’s observances.
“On September 12th, we have our Amerindian Heritage Village Day. So, this year’s Amerindian Heritage Village will be Bumbury, that’s a village in Region One. Last year, it would have been in Nappi, Region Nine, and this year, we’re taking the Heritage Village to Region One,” Browne-Shadeek said in a video uploaded to Facebook. Amerindian Heritage Month 2026 will be observed under the theme “Observing our Cultural Heritage during our Diamond Jubilee”.

According to the Minister, “Amerindian Heritage Month continues to be a tangible way that the Government of Guyana promotes Indigenous culture across the length and breadth of Guyana”. “The activities observed during this month are highly anticipated not just here in Georgetown, but in all our regions, villages and communities. This is a unique month to Guyana, as we are one of the very first countries, if not the only, to designate an entire month for promotion of our First People culture. This month of activities is funded by the Government of Guyana, and also presents an opportunity for our people to earn income and to promote our unique culture,” she added. The month-long celebrations will begin as always, with a religious service at the Umana Yana on August 31. “That will lead us into an Amerindian Heritage Cultural Extravaganza, what we usually report as the Opening Ceremony, and that will be done on September 1st at the Whirlwind Village at Sophia. That will then take us into September 2nd through 5th, where we traditionally would have our Amerindian Arts, Craft and Cuisine Exhibition at the Whirlwind Village at Sophia, and that will start, of course, at 10:00hrs daily. Usually on those evenings, we also have our Amerindian Heritage Month Cultural Nights, which usually begins at 7pm, and that too will be at the Whirlwind Village in Sophia,” the Minister noted.
On September 6, the Ministry will host an Amerindian Fitness Walk, taking the traditional route from Umana Yana to the National Park. On September 7, there will be an Amerindian Art Exhibition at the National Gallery of Art Castellani House, beginning at 18:00h. On September 10, the Ministry will host a reflection on the life of Stephen Campbell, the first Amerindian Member of Parliament (MP) in Guyana. Additionally, the Minister said the Government will host a group of students from the hinterland for a tour of Georgetown.
“Last year, we would have brought [from] Masakanari, and this year, we will be bringing Kariako. And, of course, that tour, we usually cater for grades five and six students for them to have a trip to the capital to be able to visit different national sites, offices and to basically have an experience,” she noted.
Moreover, the annual Amerindian Heritage Dinner will be hosted on September 18 at the Royal Ballroom; tickets are available for purchase at the MoAA. The Ministry has also planned an Amerindian Heritage Safari for September 19-20. “The safari this year will take the route of leaving from the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs to Fall Mouth in Region Ten,” the Minister said.
Additionally, the much-anticipated Amerindian Heritage Games will be held at the Everest Ground from September 24-27. This year, the Ministry will also host an Amerindian Heritage Pageant. “The pageant will be hosted at the National Cultural Centre on September 30th. The pageant usually takes place every two years, so this year, we are due to have that pageant,” Browne-Shadeek explained.