“We must create room for culture within development” – PM Phillips at Bumbury Village

…says progress must not leave communities wealthier while weakening cultural heritage

As Guyana continues to experience unprecedented development in every region, including Amerindian communities, the country’s indigenous people are being encouraged to preserve their cultural identity. This call was made by Prime Minister (PM) Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, serving as Acting President of Guyana and other officials who attended the National Heritage Day celebrations at Bumbury Village, Region One (Barima-Waini) on Saturday. Bumbury has been named the 2026 Heritage Village as part of Amerindian Heritage Month, which is being observed under the theme: ‘Observing Our Cultural Heritage During Our Diamond Jubilee’. Delivering the feature address at the Heritage Village Day celebrations, PM Phillips pointed out that this theme highlights how Amerindians and their culture have contributed to Guyana’s development over the years.
“As Guyana marks 60 years of independence, Amerindian Heritage Month gives us cause to celebrate and reason to reflect. The presence of our first people within Guyana’s development must remain visible, respected and secure,” Phillips posited. Underscoring the importance of preserving the indigenous culture for generations to come, the PM acknowledged that this is a shared responsibility but reminded that culture survives only when it is practiced and passed on.
“Traditional culture, traditional knowledge of our food, language, beliefs and customs must be shared with our young people in ways that allow them to understand its meaning and value. Modern education and technology should widen this opportunity, without teaching young people to be ashamed of where they came from.” “I encourage the young people of Bumbury to learn from your elders. Ask them about the history of this village… Learn the meaning behind the dances, designs and traditional practices you see… Education will carry you into new professions, but your culture will tell you who you are and when you arrived here,” he posited. Similarly, the Acting President lauded the community elders and other cultural practitioners such as craftsmen and women who continue to play their part in preserving their rich culture. According to Phillips, much of Guyana’s history was preserved through memory and oral tradition. To this end, he stressed that “What you carry cannot always be recovered once it is lost. We must continue to teach it patiently and allow our young people to adopt those traditions without stripping away their meaning.”
PM Phillips recognised that such efforts are already taking place in Bumbury, which is known for its traditional hand-woven indigenous crafts. He said the newly developed craft shop in the village provides a space for residents to further enhance and market their creations, thus keeping their traditional skills alive.
“Our Amerindian communities must retain authority over their cultural identity… We must create room for culture within development so that progress does not leave communities materially better off but culturally diminished,” the Acting President contended. Similar sentiments were expressed by Village Toshao John Hernandez, Region One Chairman Brentnol Ashley, and several Cabinet members, including Amerindian Affairs Minister Sarah Browne-Shadeek, who said the Heritage Day celebrations are an opportunity for Amerindians to honour who they are, celebrate progress within their communities and renew their commitment to protecting their culture, traditions and identity for generations to come.
“This month provides us with a special opportunity to showcase the richness and diversity of our first people. Our heritage lives in our languages of course: bands, food, music, craft, traditional knowledge, farming practices, and also in our stories. It is reflected in our deep and respectful relationship with the forest [and] environment. It is found in the wisdom of our elders and in the curiosity and creativity of our young people,” the Minister stated. According to Browne-Shadeek, the Government has invested some $131.6 million in Bumbury Village over recent years, resulting in improvements in areas such as water, transportation, infrastructure, renewable energy, education, information and communications technology and livelihood projects. But even as Bumbury and other indigenous communities continue to undergo unprecedented development and benefit from the Government’s investment, the Amerindian Affairs Minister noted this should not compete with their culture and traditions. “We can move forward without forgetting where we came from. We can embrace modern technology, yes, while protecting traditional knowledge. We can build new infrastructure while safeguarding our environment. We can create economic opportunities and at the same time preserve the values that have kept us strong for generations,” she posited. Meanwhile, Housing Minister Collin Croal, who is the Region One parliamentary representative, stated that Guyana’s story cannot be told without the stories of its first people. This, he outlined, includes their stories of resilience, knowledge, language, food, music, craft, spirituality and stewardship of the forest and its environment. “Development must never require us to surrender our identities. We must continue to modernise our communities while we protect our traditions. And that’s what makes us unique, wherever you go in Region One, Seven, Eight, Nine, or some of the hinterland riverain communities, because each has its own cultural identity,” Croal stated. Saturday’s Heritage Village Day celebrations saw the officials’ joining residents of Bumbury and nearby communities to witness a vibrant showcase of cultural dances and traditions.