Orealla, Siparuta youth embracing cultural traditions

The youth of Orealla and Siparuta, in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) dazzled Social Cohesion Minister with responsibility for culture, youth and sport, Dr George Norton with their cultural performances, which were held as part of their annual Heritage Day celebrations. The Minister travelled to the Indigenous communities on Friday and Saturday to participate in the observances, which were held under the theme ‘Guyana’s First Peoples; Sustaining a Rich Cultural Environment”.
“We have been celebrating Heritage Month for a number of years and every year it is becoming more and more authentic, the real thing… It is good that we are carrying on and living this culture; it is the children who have to carry on the mythologies and the stories… when they start dancing and singing at this age, you can rest assured that when you’re gone they will carry it on,” he is quoted as saying by the Ministry of the Presidency.
Meanwhile, before the close of the programmes, Minister Norton presented a quantity of footballs and volleyballs to sport groups in both communities. He also inspected the playfields in both villages.
In Orealla, Dr Norton and his team participated in the village’s Heritage games, which included a competitive match of tug-o-war between residents and visitors.