Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1694874931041.pdf (Guyana)
GUYANA REPORT by the AMER.INDIAN LANDS COMMISSION AUGUST, 1969 Lands Commission, Allerindi�n 105 New Garden Street, Queenstown, Guyana, Georgetown, TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION Par,agaphs � PART I Terms of Reference Procedure adopted Brief Geographical Note Note Brief Historical Interpretation of 'Amerindian• Tribal Distribution Freedons and Permissions Land Use INDUSTRIES 1.

.Agriculture 2.Cattle 3.

Timber 4.

Balata 5.

Mining Enti tlenent Local Government Social Services 1.

Education 2.
Education 2.

Cor:1t1unity 3.Health Developnent Integration Legislation 2 6 - 7 8 - 23 3 8 24 -29 30 -51 52 -60 61 -66 67 -76 77 -86 9 17 20 20 25 87 -100 29 101 -128 33 129 -139 41 44 140 141 -144 44 145 -160 46 161 -172 53 57 173 - 179 180 -182 59 183 -188 60 189 - 205 62 67 206 Sw:imary of General Recornnendations 68 fl.RT II -SPECIFIC RECOMMEND.i\.TIONS General Remarks 1.
W�]2ishana Af.shal ton: Awariwaunau Achiwib: Karaudanawa Cor:1I!lunities:) ) ) ) ) ) Mururanau: Shea Sand Creek: Sawariwau ) Potarinau. )

71 207 - 220 221 -230 74 77 2.

Macusi Co:mnunities: ) Shµlinab: St. Ignatius ) ) Yupukari: Moco-Moco: Nappi: Parishara Massara ) ) ) Annai: Toka Ya.karinta: Aranaputa ) ) ) Taruka Karasabai: Itabac. )

Kanapang: Paragraphs 231 -241 94 97 ies: 3.


Patruaona Communit 242 -249 115 Kato Monkey Mountain: ) ) ) Farama.katoi: Kurukabaru ) ) ) Kaibarupai: Kopinang: Ka.mana Waipa & Sandhill 117 Chenapau: Maikwak ) � Mahdia-Kangaruma: Tunatunari .Akawaio-.Arekuna Communities 250 -258 130 Kamarang Keng: Wara!

!ladon Jawalla: Morowta Phillippai, Kwaimarudai, Ji.mokokapai Chinowieng: Meruwang Jil aruioa : Kaikan Arau: Awarapati. )

) ) Ji.taro Valley) ) ) ) ) ) ) 133 5.
Arawak: Warrau: Carib Connuniti� 259 -275 146 i Tapakuna Mashabo Bethany: Kabakabur Kairir:1ap: Siriki: Akawini Wakapau ) ) ) Capoey: Mainstay/Wyaka ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) Santa Rosa: Asakata Snall Troolie Creek Manawarin: Barabina: Waikrebi: Waropoko, Kwabanna: Morebo, Alaka Koberina Kokerite Waranuri Little Kaniaballi Tobago & Wauna Hills ) te Croek ) ) Bunbury Hill: Wauna/Whi Aruau River: Hota.kwai ) 152 Ji.rawak: Warrau: Carib Cocu:auni ties cont'd: 259 -275 ]I·araoa,Ji_hS Page Hobodia: Kanwata Hill Red Hill: Koriabo Sebai Santa-Ari tak: Mabora ) ) ) ) ) ) St. Cuthbert's: St. Francd.s ) Wikki: Hururu Hittia: Orealla/Siparuta ) ) � ) Kurutuku 6.
THE B.AR.Al'JJ:A RIVER CARIES Barar:iita ) ) ) Upper Bara.ma River Baramita and Bara.ma Head ) Tributaries 7.

THE WAI-WAI Kan.ashen 152 276 -2s, 200 202 284 -292 205 208 209 PART III - INDIVIDUAL AND HOUSEHOLD CLJJMS 293 -299 Conclusions 300 302 210 Acknowledgenents 303 - 305 211 APPENDICES I.Menorandun fron Captains of South Savannahs, Rupununi.
II.Meoorandun by the Captains and Leaders, known as Waffugees Greater North-West District 1-.o.erindians of the .• III.Memorandum by the Captains settled in the Upper and Leaders of liDerindians River Lands.

Mazaruni IV.Questionnaire Forr;is:- (i)Cor:u:iunal occupation ·(ii) Individual occupation.

v.List of Witnesses.

VI.Distribution Coastland of Tribal Groups and Cor:ununities of nixed .Amerindians.

VII.-: Rules of Procedure Lands Comnission.


Adopted by the Amerindian 213 215 217 220 223 225 228 229 VIII.List of Reports, etc.

studied by the Comoission.

231 IX.Purchases from Cattle Producers for the year 1968.

X.Proposed District Council Areas.

234 235 I N T R O D U C T I O N Hon.

L.F.s.

Burhnam, Prime Minister, :Parliament GEORGETOWN.

Buildings, Q.C., Sir, The Amerindian Lnnds Comru.szion Ordinance 1966 made r.,:--uvision for the setting up of a ;!oru;ti.z:-;i,.,,_ ·c.P "ti V'":l ·Ji,n·sons.
2.

The following were membars of the ·Commission ap_f.lointed by the ilinister of Local Government in August 1967:- Chairman Der·tty Chairman Full-time Member Member :- Full-time Part-time Mer.iber Mr,.

Patrick A.

Forte Mr. A.H. Moore ?fr.

:.f.

ll.

Seggar Mr. �.J.

Scow M±-s. Umbelina Campbell 3.

Mr.

Forte ably headed the Commission for 15 months until November 1968-when he :;3uccumbect to an illness from which he never recovered.

Consequent on Mr.
Consequent on Mr.

Forte's death in March 1969, Mr. Moore was appointed Chairman and Mr. Maurice Bennett was ap-point ed to fill the vacancy.

Mr. Bennett is a young .ll.lnerindian from Kabakaburi.

4.

Mr.

Se['.gar, now permanently r ... �sid .-ir, t L, the United Kingdom, served for 18 y0&.r·s in the Interior Der,ar+.m0�t in this country prior to his retirement as Assistant District Cor-:r::i.ssioner in 1964.

M!'.

Scow, himself a.n Indian, is a lawyer and a native of Canada.
He is the nominee of the Canadian Govern�ent.

Mr. c. McA.

Ashley served as Secretary to the Commission from its inception �ntil 18th April, 1968 when he returned to the Ministry· of Local Government to act as Commissioner of Interior.

After a lapse of some four months I�.

F.M.

Cumberbatch of the District Administ,ration was appointed to succeed Mr. Ashley.

5.

Government anticipated that the Cor:mission would c.omplete its work in one or two years.

Th'.:?
Th'.:?

Colll!llission held its first raeP.ting on the 4th September, 1967, in the absence of the oversP-as r.1er.1berF,.

Mr. Seggar took up his nppointment on the 15th Septenber and.

i>t.·.

S..:ow on the 25th September.

On the _latter date the Hon.

·Minister of Local Gove:rnment officially opened the first public neeting of the Commission.

/T-erms of Reference: -2- PART I TERMS OF REFERENCE: 6.
The Commission's terms of reference were as follows:­ (a)To determin e the areas of Guyana where any tribe or was ordinarily resident date 26th Ma.y, 1966 including, or on the relevant community of .Amerindians settled in the case of Amerindian Districts, within the meaning (Chapter or Village was ordinarily and to identify much purticularity where any tribe or community 58) the part, if as is practicable; of the .Amerindian Ordinance, Area any, of such District, of Amerindians resident or settled on date, the relevant Areas or Villages every such tribe or community with as with respect to each such tribe or of Amerindians, whether (b)to recommend, community belonging to that tribe or cornmuni ty shall be given rights of tenure with rospect (a) above or with respect to determined under paragraph being such other areas as the Cor.1:1ission may specify, are&s in rc.lation to which such rights of tenure would be no less favourable held in relation to such persons to the areas determined to the areas of residence as aforesaid; or settlement than sir1ilar rights persons (c)to recommend with respect to each such tribe or community of Amerindians, conferred paragraph in accordance (b) above; the nature of the rights of tenure to ·be with any recommendation under to each such the person or persons in tribe or with respect of .Amerindians, (d)to recornn0nd, community whom zuch rights of tenure shall the Commission recommends interest recommend rights shall vest and such beneficial ; conferred the terms and conditions in such rights shall be differently held, to under which such legal rights shall be be vested; and where that the legal and beneficial (e)to determine, with respect to each such tribe or community if any, what freedoms or permissions, or reside or settle; were by tradition of Amerindians, other than to custom enjoyed on the relevant to that tribe or community including Guyana, persons wore ordinarily resident in relation areas other than those in which such date by persons to any area of or settled on that date; belonging (f) to recommend, with respect to each such tribe or community what rights, or otherwise, of Amerindians, servitudes freedoms above and the person or persons be granted in substitution aforesaid; or permissions whether by way of easements, most nearly correspond determined under paragraph to whom such rights shall to any (e) for the freedoms and permissions (g) to make such recomm.endatiops to all or any aforesaid as may to the Connnission SeBm in relation of the matters appropriate; (h)to report to the Minister with respect to the matters set out in paragraphs (a) to (g) above.
/The -3- 7.

The terms of ref (;lrence broadly set the Co1'l!llission two functions; that of finding out certnin facts and reporting them, and that of making recommendations on the facts discovered.
It became increasingly evident to us that we could not too narrowly interpret these functions if we were to assist Government to make up its mind as to the best course of action it should take in dealing with the matter in hand, that of giving legal title to Amerindians for lands upon which they·were or.dinaril� resident or settled at 'the time of Independence ··.

and.

.. tha.t of integra-ting Amerindians in ,Guyanese· society •.. we have been ·strengthened in.our·'Vi.ew by a .
.number of witnesses who cautioned the .• futility of_ attempting t .o deal with the land question in.

isolation .Mr.· McCannr a social.

anthropologtst·who did.reaear.ch .among the·Wapishana quite aptly·obse�red "I propose to speak.in general terms about a .

S0ci0l0gist IS interpretation Of the ·type Of inquiry being .held I .... starting :with the .term.s.

of reference and basically elaborating a single proposition..
This is that· a ·people Is use of land and attitude to it cannot- ,be treated in isolation from other facts of their social.

life ·without distorting their evaluation of .land and its u.se.

So that if the ·Cor:nnission.

comes· to accept this proposition they may feel that.

ascertaining .

some of these other facts .is .

essential"• .

PROCEDURE ADOPTED: 8.

The Commi.ssion in the early stages of its work spent a good d.eal of ti.me.

j_n.
j_n.

the e.x.aui.na tion and study of su� reports as provided useful background in formation.· It3 first tour was made to St. Cuthbert Is Mission, Mahaica_.River on· the 6th October,.

1967 •..

Thereafter tours were made to Aoerind.ian areas throughout the coastlands and the.

interior •.

Thirty-one·tours were made.

extending over period� of one day to.eleven days, -!

!lOst of.

this time having· been spent under field .cond·itions •.

.

9.
.

9.

The following places have been visited: IN DEMER.ARA: St. Cuthbert' s Mission, Santa, Aritak, Soesdyke, Cara-Cara, W:isroar�-·Muritaro, Malali, M�bora, St. Fra.ncis..(:Mahaicony River).

IN BERBICE: Orealla, Siparuta (Corcntyne River), Kwakwa.rii, Hururu, �Ituni Mission, Kalkuni., Wiruni,.Kimbia, Sand Hills (Berbice.Ri:ver).

IN ESSEWIBO: (a)Bethany (S'upenaam River), Mashabo (Ituribisi), Capoey, Mainstay Lake._.
(Reiiance), Wyaka, Tapakuma, on the coast • ... /(b) -4- { b) Ka.i.rimap (St. Monica), Kabakaburi, Siriki, .Akawini, Manikura i,n the Pomeroon.

{ c) Wakapau, Waramuri, Santa Rosa, Kumaka, Wallaba, Kwabanna, Barama Mouth, Waikrebi, Kokerite, Chiriese Landing, Red Hill, Koriabo,Waropoko, Bullet Tree, Mabaruma, Hosororo, Barabina, Koberima, WaunL, Aruau, Arukamai, Hobodia, ::otukwai, Sebai, Port Kaituma, Matthew's Ridge, Baramita, Old World, Aronka - all in the North West District.
(d)Paruima, Waramadon, Ka.marang, Morowta, Jawalla, Phillipai, Chinowieng, Kwaimarudai, Amatokopai, Moruwang, Kwabanna Keng, Imbaimadai, in the Upper Mazaruni District.

(e)Enachu, Issano and St. Edward's Mission, Kartabo and Point.

Kara Creek on the Mazaruni.

{f) Mahdia, Tumatumari, Kangaruma and 72 Miles Compound on the Po taro.

(g)Riverview, Bartica and Saxacalli on the Essequibo River and Kanashen at the headwaters of the.Essequibo River.
(h) North Savannahs, Rupununi: St. Ignatius, Lethem, Moco-Moco, Nappi, Parishara, Yupukari, Toka, Massara, Yakarinta, Aranaputa, Wowetta, Sara.ma, Annai.

(i)South Savannahs, Rupununi: Shulinab (Macusi Village), Potarinau (Ambrose Village), Sand Creek, Shea, Maruranau, Awariwaunau, Aishalton, Karaudanawa, Achiwib, Sawariwau, Burisanawa.

(j)Pakaraimas: Karasabai, Tipuru, Yurong Paru, Kurikabaru, Kato, Orinduik, Mountain, Paramakatoi, Monkey Tiger Pond, Jauri, Malaka Nova, Karabaikuru, Semaba.
{k) Cuyuni: Awarapati and Kurutuku, Eterlngbang, Akaiwong.

(1)lvenamu: Kaikan.

10.Meetings and/or discussions They were largely attended were held at all the places and much interest was evinced.

and Councillors were invariabl y present, and very often people visited.

Captains in attendance came from miles around.

Advance notice of the Commission's visit was given from time to time through District and by Officers radio broadcasting stations through the courtesy of the Guyana Information Services.
We felt it our duty to explain our terms of reference as we understood Amerindians then and to establish a relationship that would make the feel that they were not only involved but that their views would be respected.

strongly entrenched We found that in many cases there were certain ideas'which were in conflict with our terms of reference.
/Indeed -5- Indeed the majority of the .Amerindians were entirely ignorant of the functions of ·the Commission though by and large, they were extremely anxious and delighted to meet this body.

11.In some ar·eas joint meetings of Captains had decided on a common course of action prior to tt� Comr::iission's arrival and we were presented with demands for wide expanses of land delineated both verbally and cartograpl:.ically with admirable clarity.
In the Southern Rupununi the Captains of each of cix villages submitted identical maps P.nd suppo·rting memoranda re quo sting that they be given ·an area om bracing all the villages including the land lying between these villages, together with an additional area of several square miles of grazing land already alienated.

See Appendix I.

12.· A demand for a. very large area was alsn made jointly by the Captains in the North West District.

Se1 II.

Appendix ·13.


In the Upper Mazaruni District the Captains jointly and severally have stated that they are prepared to settle for nothing short of.

the 3,000 odd square miles which now officially constitute the Upper Mazaruni .Amerindian District.
They have, no doubt, identified reservation with right of ownership rather than with protection or sanctuary and they have been somewhat fortified in this view by the·fact that a number of persons for one reason or another have from time to time been referring to the dereservation of 1,500 square miles in 1959 as an unwarrantable act carried out in favour of non-Amerindians for political or other ends.

A copy of the Captains' memorandum is attached as .Appendix III.
14.Here and there the view was expressed that th8 land on which .ALlerindiens lived was already theirs and that it was odd for Governncnt at thii;, stage to talk of giving them what they already possess.

The Commission did its best to explain the ioplications of legal title and would like to think that it·achieved some success in establishing the concept of legal ownership of land as against de facto occupation.
15.The Commission was at pains to enphasise that any consideration of tenure of land by Amerindians would not only include lands on which they had their houses and gardens, but lands on which they had their farms or grazed their cattle.
It was also made clear to then that .their /right -6- right to traverse unalienated Crown Land and to hunt and fish in accustomed places would be preserved in law no less than their rights to obtain without cost from forests, s as hills or swamps such material they needed for domestic use; further that any privilege they now enjoy of passing through alienated land to get to their fishing, hunting, or forest areas would be strengtnened into rights where this has not already been done.
16.A very healthy feature of the meetings was the interest taken by the women folk and the readiness with which some of them coi::imunicated their views.

In some cases the-:,' almost wrested tho initiative from the men.

17.The usual procedure at meetings was that the members of the Commission in turn explained its purpose and functions, each in his or her way, after which questions and observations were invited from and put to members of tho audience.
quite good and meetings difficulties Response in the majority of places was tended to run into hour 11.

There wore language in some places but we were quite fortunate in obtaining what we believed to be proficient interpreters.

As was to be expected some questions and observations, though interesting, were unrelated to our purpose, but in the uain a fair degree of appreciation of the itl.I!lediate subject was evinced.
18.No attempt from the Amerindians was made at meetings to extract hasty answers as it was felt that they should discuss among thonselves questions raised by the Commission and observations made by their own folk and recheck doubts.

Questionnaires a guide towards information of two kinds were provided by tho Commission as it sought -copies are attached as Appendix .IV.
any points over which they entertained any 19.Priests and Pastors, Headmasters, District Commissioners, District Field Officers, the large najori our meetings with the people� most willingly ty of whor.i showed interest in • their services in offered assisting to complete questionnaires on behalf of any individual or community if this was required of them.

It was clearly understood and fully undertaken that they would in no way influence or prejudice the content of the questionnaires.

20.
20.

Hundreds of completed questionnaires were returned to the Commission and these were exal!lined and studied with a view to making /recommendations -7- reeommendations thereon.

Second visits were paid to some areas for examination of the situation in further depth.

These areas are the North West District including the Moruca, the Pomeroon District, the Essequibo Lake District, the Berbice River, St. Cuthbert's Mission, Santa, the Upper Mazaruni, Karasabai and Monkey Mountain in the Rupununi District.
It was hoped to make second tours in other areas but conditions obtaining during the early part of 1969 preclude d us from so doing.

21.When not on tour the Commission met regularly for discussion , review and appraisal, for study of relevant maps and plans with a view to resolving issues that arose from time to time.

Two hundred and fifty such meetings were held.

22.In response to invitation a number of persons or groups gave evidence before the Com.mission.
It was at first hoped to limit the period during which witnesses would be able to give evidence or subnit memoranda, but this idea had to be abandoned as very few memoranda had reached the Commission by the closing date originally appointed.

Memoranda (including letters) were received from several sources - individual.s,groups, and organisations.
Most of t"hose who submitted written memoranda supported them by oral evidence; on the other hand there were a few who gave oral evidence but did not submit memoranda.
A rough classification of witnesses would be as follows:- Anerindians 10 individuals, 2 organisations; group Ranchers 2 organisations; 3 individuals Agricultural Scientists Social .Anthropologists 4 Politician 1 11 Clergyncn Organisations Mining Experts ( Ex-Goverrmcnt ) Traders Tourist Promoter (Ex-Government) Retired Headteacher 2 1 1 1 /Government Officers: Government Officers: Educationists Land Development Interior Department Town Planning - l 3 1 5 Medical Lands and Mines Conu:iunity Forestry Registrar of Deeds Development 3 3 1 l 1 23.The names of persons and organisations that gave evidence and/or submitted memoranda appear at Appendix V. BRIEF GEOGRAPHICAL NOTE: 24.Guyana is a country of 83,000 square miles situated on the coast of South America between Latitude 2 and 8 degrees W. It is bounded on the north by the Atlantic N. and by Brazil, by Venezuela.
It is the only English Surinam and on the speaking country .on the east by on northern Longitude 57 and 61 degrees Ocean, on the south-west north-west the continent.

25.Physically the country is broadly divided inward from the seaboard to a into _three belts.

or alluvial belt extends varying from 10 to 40 miles.
Behind this belt is the sand and The coastal distance clay belt, a region of undulating 400 feet and covered elevated the west and north-west which covers, land varying in altitude from 50 to with dense forest.

Further a vast area, the highest in point region where there are three ranges, the Pakaraima inland is the more mountain being Mount Roraima, 9,095 feet, standing on the frontier with Brazil The Kanuku in the south less in altitude than the stands on both banks of · the Rupununi and Venezuela.
Pakaraima.

to west within a few miles of the Brazilian the Akarai range and Brazil.

Guyana has innumerable impeded by rocks and sandbanks extending a.long the southern boundary Guyana between rivers the larger of which are river and runs from east in so much that they are only navigable border.

Lastly, there is to steamers for a relatively short part of their course.

26.Forests of which hardly more than 15% is accessible and immediately exploitable occupy some B(ffe of"the total area of the country.
/North -9- 27.North and South of the Kanuku mountains there.

is an area of some5,000 square miles of grassland known as the Rupununi Savannahs.

28.It is popular to divide Guyana into just two regions, and the interior.

coastland belt, the mountain of the country's areas and the Rupununi population cosmopolitan The latter broadly includes live along the coaetland.

The Savannahs.

The great majority the the forest .Amerindians for the most part inhabit the interior.
29.Until comparatively recent times certain parts of the interior were virtually terra incognita and the means of reaching even the less remote areas were·difficult, provide the main eonnunication and between one part • .Air services slow and hazardous 1L:.ks between of th:l interior now and the the coastland These and -'."+:1other.

tnterior have done much to inprove services bring coa.stland.ers the economy and to of the interior dwellers into frequent contact.
and interior BRIEF HISTORICAL NOTE: 30.The Amerindians were the earliest inhabitants of Guyana as they were of South .America generally and .the Caribbean Islands.

They occupied Venezuela and up to now they seem to have small concept and Surinam without regard to Brazil, and nationality lands in Guyana, boundaries of national or border limits.
In some areas it is perhaps as comoon to as it is for the move from Brazil or Venezuela to normal coastland.er to cross a co�pany earlier everywhere in tribal situatio�s, and those now•extant and disappeared path separating two villages.

as has occurred Tribes have was very nomadic and, Guyana or vice-versa life of the .Amerindian beset by conflicts.

The in Guyana are the Ca.ribs, the Warraus, appeared the Arawaks, the Wapishanas, the Ar€.kUnas and the Wai Wais, each predominating areas.
Tribal warfare appears seems a thing of the past and in 1 ts place there togetherness and a strong sense of communal in particular the Patam.onas, the Macusis, a tendency towards the 1.Jcawaios, geographical roamed either through were vast and this s-ave rise to a.n instinct for The a.t"eas over which Jun.erindians or necessity hardly within the conception interest� inclination spaciousness European explorers, the first foreigners traders, planters, officials with whom the Amerindians the missionaries were came in contact.
It is of the apart, the relationship and missionaries generally felt that, with the European Amerindian exploitation in whatever of the former.

Schomburgk resulted in the capacity in his work "Travels in British of the urban or rural dweller.
/Guiana -10- Guiana" circa 1840 says 0 These (Warraus, Akawaios or Waikas, Arawaks collectively and Caribs) have held intercourse Unfortunately, civilisntion, occupy th0 coastal with the Europeans aloost always as a result of it, the whole shady side of not its bright one has passed to.

these Indians".

areas and for that reason .

for a long time past.

,1.

The relationship between Amerindians and Africans was unhappy reasons.
for quite different needs made raids on /ll':lerinJian Amerindians Europeans The run away slave to satisfy settlements.

by using the slave revolts, the Furthor his fugitive as allies in the suppression of African between built up a hostiiity the two groups, a hostility which, no doubt, lasted for some time beyond emancipation.

,2.
,2.

The post emancipation period was one of eAtreoe hardship for By the beginnillt; with the fear of rotali�tion They were abandoned by the Europeans and they ha.� to by the freed slaves.

Generally .· of the Junerindians.

contend speaking it was a period of neglect relieved only by tho concern missionaries.
Government's Ordinance aside exclusively wero permitted allowed only occupation on certain solicitude found e�;ression of the present contury, however, to enter reservations 1902 under which certain areas, called reservations, for .Arlerindian conditions a brief stay.

� .

. '

' and they were were set and use.

Non-lunerindians in the AI:lerindians Protection ,3.

The followin g is n list of the Reservations under established the 1902 Ordinance:- (1)Moruca in·the North West District 309 sq.
miles (2)Wakapau on the Wakapau River, 18 sq.

miles of the Pomeroon Rivor tributary (3)Upper Pomeroon (4) Ituribisi (5)Vlissengen) (6)Wikki .

r Berbice River (7)Orealla) (8) Epira.

(9) Muritaro l (10).

Santa � · On the Corentyne River On the Demcrnra River· 262 sq.

miles 65 sq.

miles 1.5 sq.

mil.es 95 sq.

miles 54 sq.

miles 52 sq.

miles o.

25 sq.

miles .5 sq.

miles /The -11- The following wero declared after 1904:-.
(1)Sand Creek Reservation (2)The Kanuku Reservati0n ( 3) The Karasabai Reservation (4) The Upper Mazaruni Reservation ·South Rupununi (28 sq.

miles) Rupununi (220·sq.

Pakaraimas (208 sq.

r:d.les) · 4, 500 sq.

miles.

miles) 34.About half the number of the 1902 reservations were within a few miles· Those reservations from the coastland declared while the other half wer·e quite remote.

after 1904 were all renote and before the inauguration coast.

Aoerindians The reservation are renamed districts.


of air travel they wore several weeks journey from the have beer.

froo to live within nr without a reservation.

concept is now unpopular and most of the reservations Indians 35.Under the 1910 Aboriginal 'the country care of .AJ:lerindians througliou: of Lands and Officers District was the protection of persons.

by the .Amerindian Ordinance Chap.

58, Laws of Guyana.

Mines whose pow0rs in tris respect of his Department.
.Amerindians from exploita This ordinance Protection Ordinance was vested in the Commissioner the were exercisable by all The principal aim of this Ordinance tion by unscrupulous was in force until 1953 when it was superseded 36.In 1938 the West India Royal Commission set up by Royal Warrant to examine and report on social and economic West Indies and Guyana reported conditions in the British in Guyana that the number of Ar.lerindians that to avoid their extermination decreasing and recommended was rapidl:.
early action should be taken to secure to them the use of adequate of land where they may follow their nomadic way of life.

It also advocated.

on the ranchers' cattle trails and advised be given to the granting of permissions on the Savannahs.

operating that Amerindians should have rights of way and grazing rights that much.more care needed to for to ranchers and traders tracts 37.Following then Curator Officer Welfare affairs.

Mr. Peberdy in January 1948 to the then Governor.


and charged on the report of the Royal Commission rdy, Mr. P.S.Pebe of the Museum, Georgetown, was appointed .Amerindian with a thorough investigation of Amerindian and reported spent five years on his investigation /Prior <:.

-12- }8.

Prior to Mr. Peberdy1a appointment, however, an Aboriginal had been set up in 1941 by His Excellency the Governor, Jackson, K.C.M.O., Indian Committee Sir Wilfred and regulations· making recommendations oonditio�s".
governing the 1)roteotion charged with �1temi� t;� existing laws end with of Aboriginal Indians for their amendment in the iight of present of Lands & Mines, Chairman were:..; of this coi:mittee The members Mr. F. Ray H. Green, Commissioner His Lordship the Bishop of Guyana His Lordship Bishop G. Wold, S.J.

Tne Hon.

E.G.

Woolford• O.B.E., The Director o:f' Hnclical Mr. 1..w.:a. Mr. J. Ogilvie and Mr. P.S.

K.C.

Services Peberdy.


�ng This committee apparently only submitted an interim report 1t1n.ich was, however, quite valuable.

;9 • .Among the major recomoendationa of the Peberdy report were:­ (i)That three nnjor land areas in the North West District, in the Ma.zaruni-Potaro respectively should be called Anerindian Districts.

District and in the Rupununi District (ii) That Amerindians resident within tho districts retain the privileges and full protection mentioned at of the (i) should Stato • .
(iii) That the Rupununi Development Company's cattle ranch and all of years to be responsible r.ianagement for .Amerindian and all its assets and the transactions that the Department loan repa.yablo .within a period its assets and the Berttma Mouth Sawmill timber rights should be bought by mea,ns of an interest-free Goverrunent determined; .Affairs should undertake skilled of the aforosri.id of the Amerindians should be lodged w:l.th the Amerindian industries be utilised for the social, ,cf the Amerir:d. ians residing that Amerindians Districts; practices.
and operating s on behalf of the Government from these Trust Fund to and cultural .lu!lerindian health, within prescribed and that the profit� accruing should be trained in maru•g-cnent to continue ma.Il8€ement should be invi�od that of purchase; industrie progress welfare and /{iv)· -13- (iv)That coastl�n-� or interior .Amerindians shoulu bo invited to 0tiicrate to tleclarS:d .. Amerindian districts and that those 1\Jni.
:irindiu.ns who preferred to re:r:iain outside Araerindian districts of ar, should by so doing forfeit the rights and privileges Amerindian but should retain their right cf settlement and cultivation thereon.

(v) That the terms Protector and Sub-Protector of .Aoerindians be a:nended to r-mme more po:ctinent designation, e.g.
Director of Amerindian 1-..1 fairs and �ent or Superintendent of AmerindiEHl Districts respectively and that the Director of .Amerindian Mfairs should be a whole-��ine officer having three other office�s employed as District Agents or Superintendents.

( vi)That J,.dvisory Boards be set up to decide on and register Junerindi��s claiming right of entry to ADerindian Districts.

( vii)That or, tho provision of econonic facili tics within, and by the d.cclarc,t:L.rn of the three 1,.nerin�.

: L,n.
: L,n.

Districts, ( referred to ct ( i)) ,all ether Roservatio:is b-:: nk lish ed.

(viii)That e. Central Tribal Council should '.;:.)

sot up and supported by Amerindian VillA.f:0 Councils to be organised within .Aneri:,dian Districts.

(ix)That an Advisory Board on l,morindian Industrial Developnent should be formed.

(x)That h�Grindians should pay royalties on tiuber cut in l.t.C1.erind.inn Districts, the proceeds to be paid into the Truzt Fund for developr.
!iont of t};o particular /murindian District concerned.

( .zi) That: In:l·,.atrial Missions or Craft Schools bC' established in in a central locality within the three pro;,,osGd 1:.r..:.

:rindian Districts.

40.Government had, prior to th8 sub�ission of the Pcb8rdy report, implemented what turned out to be one of its nain recommendations - that of the appointnent of a whole-time Director· of 1'u..11erindic�, M fairs.

In 1946 a District Administration Commissioner of Interior as its head.
The first Comoission0r of Intcricr for tho Interior was sd up with the Ivir.

Gregory-Smith, not long after taking up his appointmnm; rcnarked :- "The questfrn of adapting the Ar:,erindi,,.ns to Western civilisation has proved to be possible ctn<i i�ono:i:·0.lly d.,::sirable and ';ho long range policy of Government should be based upon this fact.
There must be no question of /pornanont • -14- of these people and reservations sanctuaries should be loft alone only until such tir:10 as and tribal pol'!lanent segregation should be looked upon as tenporary 1'.oorindians that they have it is considered which will enable civilisation the general life of the Colony".

reached a standard them to ·take thQir place in of Continuing, Mr. Gregory-Snith "The underlying policy Amerindians to reaoh that stag.
:, where thoy can nanage must be �radually to assist the said - their own affairs as a'political entity".

41.

The Amerindian Ordinance Chapter to give eff'ect to proposals 58 of the Laws of Guyana by Mr. Peberdy and Mr. Gregory­ was enacted Smith.

The i:.ain features of this Or.-lir,ance arc:- ( a)Intljr:t)retation (b)Establishment (c)Registration (d)J.ppointment of Am01·ir..dian of Jimcri�1iena.

of Captru.rw,.

of the tern "Amcriri.i.ian".

Dist.dots, .Areas and Villages.

( e)Local Goverrimcnt.


(f)The Amerindian Purposes Fund.

42.The Ordinanco in quosticn apr)lied, A.nd it has does not E�ppea1· to have been accc,rdingly of the terl'.

'l 'limerindian' not achieved its has only been: :p. :rtl y purpose.

The r egistration effectually The interpretation popular.

Up to 1955 it was reported by steadily.

but that the Ccvnissionor Local Government It appears of .lIDerindians ;�o t bogc<?c1 ('._ ;--.wn sor.i�wher<:·.

to be proceoding the then Chief Secretary that o.


Registration Officer functioned stage.

of Interior ia still inn rudioentary was never appointed in that capccity.

43.The question was actively of securing engaging the attention of'Govorrunent to .Amerindians the lands wh�h they for quite some is now being given to relevant decisions was accentuat ed by approaching independence and of tho 1962 Constitution In thifl connoctio1::.
the role of the late lf::r. an 1:.merindian nienber of the llouse of ._...;.:.

; 11bly Stephen itas s·igni;f';l;oant.- occupied tine.

It, however, ofi\,ct Conf oror.ce.

Car:rpbell, /There -15- 44.

There is a good deal written about the 1:.raerind.ians of Guyana e.nd i.here is not much we can reJJark which has not been said before.

Perhaps it might be useful to confine ou:r observations oainly to the more obvious changes that have taken place within recent years.
The Amorindiana for the most part still live withdrawn Guyaneso inh.a.bi tants, but with increasin:; from the other sopr..istication they are shedding their nonadism and devoloping a taste for fixed settlooent.

There tlight be several contributory factors to the inclinatLn towards peroanent residence, but the establishment of churches and schools has perhaps been the greatest force in creating �d preserving fixed comounities.
There is still however, a great deal of movement to fa.rnB or to fishiL::, aul hunting grounds and in uany cas�s there c..ro, in addition to fixed dist, .... r, residences, places' at abode used for varying periods durinr: the course of t™ y0ar.

Distance does not noan tre same thing to the Amerindian e.s it c10ans to the coastal dweller temporary so that one should not be unduly alarmed when he learns that an .ikJ.c:,i11cLicn' s f am is a day's or two days' walk froo.

his home.
his home.

45.In not a few placos houses are being better built and furnished than hitherto and here and there the palm leaf roof has given way to the uore lasting shingles or corrug2�0d zinc.

Provision is being increasingly made for the disposal of refuse on an.individual household basis and it was heartening to note tho number and types of outhouses.

The UNICEF/WHO Environnental is, Sa.ni tation Progra.r:u:.1e: though liLlited in scope, setting high standards of sanitation.
46.Western norms of dress have displaced old tribal forms save in very few instB}lces such as enong the Wai 1 fo.is in the extreme southern areas of Guyana.

Children in attendanc e at �ooe schools are so neatly and uniformly attired that they could match children cf any of the best coastal schools.

47.The use of the English language iR spreading c."!Lle mainly to the presence of schools and churches, and to an appreciation of the value of English as a common medium of cor:munication.
The najority of the younger folk seem to understand elementary English fairly well and are able to feed back in this language.

The radio helps to stinulate interest in English language as well as to break down isolationism.

It is one of the popular the social value of which �nnnot be overestimate�.
Services Di.ght, with a view to ·supporting Government's pieces of equipment in the home and the school, The Guyana Infornation policy of integration, /consider -16- constructing consider to heighten soo� progranrn.. ,;:;:-,,;cially in things general but making special for l1t1erindians calculated reference their interest to Guyana and the part they can play in its dovelopncnt.

might give consideration to reducing even if for a liraited period.
The /l.l'chbishop LG cost of radioi:i to /itl1erindians of the West Indies suggested Government that at lea.st one radio set shoul.d be supplied for public use.

.l.IJerindian vill�ge by Governmont to each 48.Leadership is no longer the prerogative of age.

ri:'he most recent elections point clearly to the fac� that tho young educated opportunities growth of comt!unities.
will they bo for a bigger share in governing whose in elections Officers and councillors principles District the older captains were fewor.

Democratic under tho guidance of Government Development Amerindian is displacinc educational are being observed and Coomissioners.

orderly tho moro olart�nt which is a desirable criticised by parsons goneral consensus feet and educattng 1.ny institution of its cardinal aims th<;; trainir.;.

:::: of the .lrJ.erindia.n i. , the snd.


Practice� to the along these lines i� essential become The more educated Arlerindians themselves has been the in an officiant have as one ?ririci:ples tho .J.ncrindian before tho Cocnission and is in favour of placing the them to run thoir o�� qffairs oannor.

d.cvelopr.ient should goal.

PatcrnaliSLJ.

giving evidence charged with l!I'.

'!trindie.n of Local Governncnt.


Amerindians towards on their Olm ty of villages of housos at difforing 49.The ma.jori fact an accretion pieces of land.

For the prese�t devolopoent problems but orderly growth.

It would soOI:1 ther�!fore given to the planning of villages especially population.
that at a later stage we propose this question Ve consider hav� erown up unplanned and are in distances on unspecified this situation raight not give rise to must at some tioe replace that sorie attention should early be haphazard of Local Govern:-.1,:!lt so important detail.

to return to it in :rreatcr in areas of concentrated The Co!Iltlission Waramadon, Paruima was favourably iupressed with the village layout nt and othor places in the Upper Mazaruni.
50.By and larze progress and developoent have taken place at different rates in different areas.

In some it has been slow, in others phenomenal.

51.· Generally speaking the developnent of Acorindian society has in tho last 20 years or so.

Prior to 1945 it been greatly accelerated /had -17- been a slow haul; from a so�iety of nomadic gatherers through varying phases to subsistence farmers and sqcially.fron isolated family units to concentrations in village were cor::ununities.
These comnunities sustained in the nain by the early church missions as there was no interior administration.

Introduced diseases without concomitant mediccl attention h.1.d caused the Arwrindiru1 population in Guyana to fall to sone 12,000 or 14,000 by 1940.

Following the establishnont of the Interior Departncmt and the subsequent educational and public heal th raeasures whi-::h were taken thorp.

has, bee.n a_ significant populati0n increase to sone 40, ::JOO.

Somo.

village.
Somo.

village.

C?t'lflunitics one thousand and there arQ: riany w�ll i:1 the hundreds.

_have aggree;o.tions exceeding INTERPRET.

:;: I0N OF ".f,t"IBRHH)IAN" .. ' i. .

.


; 52.Soction 2 of Chapter·5a·of the Laws of Guyana states - "In this Ordinance -� "lu:c8rin:iian" mcan·s - (a)Any Indian of a �ribe indigenous to the Colony or to neighbouring countries; ( b) any descendant paragraph of an !,1;-iorindian within the neaning of (a) of this definitiJn to whom, in the opinion of the Comraisdener, 1_;:iply • • ••• • • • the provisions of this Ordinance should '!
;he Commissioner neans -�he CoillI!lissioner of the Interior, and includes any officer authorised in writ5ng by the Chief Secretary to perform any of the functions of th: Cotll!lissioner for the purposes of any of the provisions of thi� Ordinance".

53.With respect to subsection (b) ·Jf sGcti.


)n 2 of the Ordinance the following is a quotation from the :r.wcorandun sub::i-1-:tod to the Cornnission by the last Comlissioncr of IntE:.,rior n::�1 ..... onus is on the Co1JL1issioner of In_te:rior to say who is an .u.r::arindian and._ -thµro is a right of appe� for non­ regi.

::tration to tL.

;; Minister of local G�:vernr.1cnt.

In the past with so fE:.


;,;_ L·mofi ts accruing from-registration �.ne Connissioner und hiG stt1.ff have had li tUG difficulty, with no l?,.gal te_st Cct3cs, in operating tho def:i,ni tion.

'.l'he principle has been for mixed 1\nerindians that they should be residing in an 1\nerindian area or cooouni ty living the life of an f�Jerindian thus requiring the,protoction for which the Ordinance was designed.
In sone instances /persons -18- have been like Amerindians whose father is a non­ persons looking very little acce:p+ed.

No child, howevor, .Amerindian capable: In the the populate] lower Esac -lLli1.•<.,, on the same basis that the father is the protection :lost District a:t Mab:--·ruma., rivers.

is accepted.

0f ·.

:.x0rcising Nort!·.

of the Ordinance.

and Morawhanna and adjoining, in the Pomoroon Rivers where there Deoerara · ,, · Berbicr mixer.
: J.JJorindians of benefits of eco,1:;r.1ic all D.ixed Amerindians by the Cor:ll!lissioner the way of lif o and the need has been important in detemining accepted and legal detemination It is-obvious are many for protc,�tion With the possibility froz:i registration in their status and 1•efusal be r�adily expected.
for the new definition in the lamerindian aware of the difficulties and have provided action but any future registration to deternine st�tus as r benefits a basis for ecc,nomic and his staff ,· :' �-;: a the job unless perhaps very difficult are tied to certain restrictions".

benefits of having a-precise the Commissioner .

.

that the persons with wide scope for will provide i� to be ' status.

valuo to accrue responsibl.G were Ordinance the Commissione dofinii:!on will not c.ire now interested 54.
The lllllorindians were strongly in favour of subsection (a) of subf:oction 2 of the .Amerindian but in respect applied Ordina11ce were unh.appy about the criterion of section ( b) thc:r origin in so far as the determination Interior.

They felt determination at not having been consulted other matters r of lay with the Coraoissione in the that they should be tho final arbiters of who is or is not an Ar:lerindian.

They expressed as well as on on the legal interpretation their welfare.
to the child of r:dxed affecting regret 55.

Philip Duncan, an 1..nerindian Member of the National Assenbly, Guyana nust mean and include the full bloodod the sophisticated observed-•1 suggest that the word 11unerindian' in the interest of the nation and the country of Amerindian, the .Aoerindian who by virtue of oarriage may have lost or renounced or sickness Ailarindians from other countries freehold his or her rights should .also qualify to own lands on to a non-Amerindian, basis in Guyana".
Jimerindian, the nixed i.oerindian, and employment ................. .

/He -19- 56.He was supported by the Amerindian Group, Georgotr;wn, which said - "In defin:i ng an .

.l'.mc:r:i.ndian the Group considers that a descendant of any tribe indiP"enous to Guyana or to any South 1..nerioan country should be considered.. As Lnerit,dians travel freely a.cross international b::undaries they sb,iuld be welcoriecl in this country.

With regard to tlw degree of nixed bloo:l accepta.1 �·.e, the Group co1::!
:-::iders that a person oust be of .Ar1erindia.n descent, raust regard himself as an Aruerindian and must be so rc'garded by the group in which ho has been living .,:.

the ·:,�.

.ll.lnerindians thensel ves r::iust be the final arbiters in deterniniri.g who is o:· is not an .Amerindian".

',•,.

,, 57.

The Commission was rcquirod to be guided by the Ji.merindian Ordinance Chapter 58 and it has dohe · so� It did.

not, however, discrirainate against the progeny of a non�.lu::ierindian father.
It w ould appear that thore should be one and the same interpretation for 'J,.

:10rindian' in all the Ord:i.. nances by which /unerindians are Affected.

unaltered is a matter for Government's Whether subsection (a) of Section 2 of Chapter 58 should remain The Amerindians considG1·r:ition.

do cros� �.illl re-cross borders without let or hindrance and they often take up residence outside their country of origin.
There are strong ties of consanguinity and affinity between the f..n&rindia.n of Guyana, Brazil, ,:nd Venezuola.

59.There seems to have been in recont tiuos no si:.,·,�fica.nt migration from Guyana save as a result of the Rupununi uprising in January 1969.

O n the other hand tho situation Essequibo River head indicates thn.t: within the last 20 yea.rs there has of the Wai Wais in the been a notable Bit3"ration f:tom Brazil induced by amenities provided by the Unevengelised Fields Mission at Kanashen.
It is said that the population of 46 in the year 1949 rose to 528 in 1967 and was still on the increase.

60.However admirable night be this freedom of novement and settlement there arc possible implications both econor.rir.

�.nd political • .lllready it is felt that if :Wai Wais settle in the Kanu,;_;i1cn e..rea in continuing increasing nurabers there is likely to be pressure on farning land hc.·ring regard to their _agricultural practices.
-20- '&RIBAL DI§TlqBU'l'ION: 61.s.-,r:ie 40,000 .Allerindia.ns are distributed Guyana.

In throughout the extreoe the Wai Wai, the remote�t of t�e t�i�es.

�outb occupyjng the headwaters of the Essequibo River are 62.The Wapishana inhabit the southern Rupununi ss.vanna.hs.

There is one Macusi oommuni ty ir -';he, .sout� ...

-.

:a.nr,.tii.G and and in harmony with the Wapishanae it lives close to 6}.

The Macusi live on the central the Kar.uku Mountains and in the .so�thern Rupununi ":,.
''"·nnahs Pakarai!las north of to the �hilebar :aver.

There are, howe'lt-er, predominantly Patamona areas.

a few Macusi.

comunities in what r.:·;_� 64.The Patamona s.r.e dooiciled in the valleys of the Ireng and its tributaries Potaro tributaries north of the Echilebar river as well as in those of the •.

They also livE, 1:--_ -the Pakarair:ta savannahs.

65.The .Akawaio are i'cflnd in t.h(.

large cocru.unities.


five relatively A group of .Akawaio is found at Upper Maza.runi where there are Kwabanna on the Waini river and a small knot at Mabora on the Upper Demerara River near the Great Falls.

The .Arekuna.

live in the Upper Kamarang River.

66.The .Ara.wnks, the Warraus and the Caribs are with a few of the Barnma River, to be found notably in the headwaters or near coastland exceptions, in coastlan.d exclusively .Arawak, coi:n11unities Carib and about 15 composite •.

all throe tribes.
all throe tribes.

Appendix VI a.bout 5 exclusively Warrau, ma.de up of meobere areas.
There are refers about 10 communities about 9 exclusively of two or FREEDO MS js.ND PERMISSIONS: 67.Freedoms and permissions by tradition or custoD or law by Amerindians enjoyed areas other than those in which such persons were ordin�·.rUy resident to mean:- or settled to any area of Guyana inclUding have been i,1torpreted of the Cornnission in relation .by mecbers (a)Free use of forest products from unalienated Crown Lands including nuts, fruits, etc., for their own use for domestic house-building and corial naking; and for purposes; gums, waxes, resin, vines, leaves /(b) -21- (b) freedon to use clay deposits from unalienntod lands for oaking pottery and other domestic r"equirenents; (c)freedom to use, a::-i me9.ns o·f access to areas used for faroing, hunting, fishing and collection of forest product.s, and for cor.ununication between co!
:liauni ties, trails now existing and traditionally used; (d)right of use of rivers and all waterways for comnunication and for domestic use, including fishir..g; (e)right to catch or collect crabs, turtles etc., on unalienated sea.

shore areas as well as access to sat1e; (f)right to raine alluvial deposits open cast - i.e.

open to the light of day, to maxir:mm depth of 50 feet ,'Ti thin lands alienated to them.

68.
68.

The protection of richts has been consistently urged by the ColoniB-l powers in the past.

1� relatively early example of this was the Cro,rn Lands Ordinance of 1887 which, in part, provided 11 • • • • • that the rights and privileges previously enjoyed by the Aboriginal Indians over Crown Lands, Forests, Rivers and Creeks of the Colony were to be protect ed.
•••••••.•• " 69.Most of the freedoos or pernissions abovcmcntioned are provided for in ilhe Laws of Guyana und::ir three different ordinances The Crown Lands Ch:1pter 175; The ::=-·cr0stG Chap.

2.1,0 .

:-H:'..

;'.

'linir .c , Ch.".'.i:).

196.

70.For ease of referencr.

: we cite froo each of these chapters: Crown Lands Regulations: Juneri,.nd:i;Jlns - Regulation�: "7.

/iny 1.merindian !
/iny 1.merindian !

:lay without per:aissio n cut, dig or remove from the ungranted and unlicensed Crown Lands any substance or thing which he nay require for putting up any building or shed for the purpose cf residence.

8.
8.

Any Anerindian ria.J without pernission cut or gather any troolie or other palr.. leF.J.ves, posts, spars, ·or wattles, or nake kokers from hollow trees, ·and may cut to make buck-shells or canoes trees of a.�y size, and dispose of all such articles as he may think fit:" /Crown -22- pasture �ands of the interior "Sect.
39 (11) The .lu:lerindie.ns respoctivoly: shall ha.ve the right at all tines to or enclosed but otherwise enter upon any unenclosed unimproved seeking their subsistence ll18M.er without molestation to disturb enjoyment part of the land leased for the purpose therefrora but shall not have the right the lessee in the peaceable in his lease."

of the land comprised occupation and of in their accustomed "Sect.
40 (11) The Amerindians shall have the right at all times to part of the lana leased for the purpose of or enclosed but otherwise enter upon any unenclosed unimproved seeking their subsistenc manner without to disturb enjo;vraent the lessee of the lan�.

comprised nolostation but shall not have the right occupation in tho peacee.ble and in his lee.se."

e therefrom i� their accustomed H;i,nioe; Regulations: Section ?Cfl�ltl 200 "Sect.

207.
207.

'l1he .Anerindians : shall not be subject to these regulation s: 11Soct.

208.

Provided that where <'.:r.

Amerindian is the holder of a elair:l his privileges as an /.merindian under these shall bo suspended regulations such holder • • Ul land occupied necessary any .lu:ierindie.n occupied or used by the Jimorindian for the quiet enjoyment settlcnent, by them."
s and all land by the Arlerindians of shall be deemod to be lawfully so long as he continues There seen to be no specific rights uudo.r The Forest Ordinance though provision 36: is made under Section "Sect.

36.

Nothing in this Ordinance shall be construed to prejudice, alter, or affect any right or privilege legally in tho Colony.
exercise<'!, possessed, heretofore or enjoyed by any l.merindian that the Governor Provided nay nake any and rights to be enjoyed rct;ulations to hin seet1ing neet defining the privileges by Arlerindians in relation to the crown from tirae to time by publication in the Gazette forests."

/There -23- 71.There is also 1;rovisio:., for .the protection of ri.ghts of lil!lerindian.s: Crown Lands Ordinance Section 41 Subd0cti·,n ( 1), ( 2), ( 3).
11(1) The h0ldcr of the permission shall not erect or pemit to be erected any corral or cattle-pen on land held under the permission within a radius of three miles of any L�6rintian village or scttlenent.

(2)The holder of the p0I'!ilission will be r�sponsiblc for and shall make good all JaI".J.8i.3'C done to any .\m.crind.ian cultivation, village or settlenont by any cattle grazing on land within the area hclrl under the pernission.
(3)If any time 2,.i'tor reserve be created tho granting of the per:oission an .Anerindian in th:: district an:y portion of the area comprised in the p ernission may ::i0 resur:ied for tho purposes of the reserve".

Mining Regulations Chap.
158 Subsections (1) and (3): 11 (1)The holder of a clair:l shall not employ any person other than an Anerindif•.n in a mining district as a labourer* artisan or in any capacity whatsoever, save as a licensed prospector, tributor, qualified civil, nechrmical or mining engineer, i:;:,,ine manager, assistant !.l£;.n1:,ger, dredge-master, assnyer or surveyor unless such person has been registered by the Corn:issioner or by any person appointed by the GovernoI' in that behalf under these regulations.
(3)It shall not be compulsory for any 1.merindian to t:tl�c out a certificate of registration shall be and no such certificate issued or contract entered into unless a permit to employ such Anerindian under tho Lnerindian Ordinance has ·been granted by the District Cornuissioner".
Section 17� Subsections (1) .and (2): 11(1) Every holder of a clain who enploys on the claia a separate shall keep lltlerindians on such cl a.in book in which shall be recorded the nar.ie of every such Ameri:1:J.ian, the anount of wages earned by him, daily or weekly r.,.s the case n�y be, and the onnner in which he is pa.id, and subject to regulation 172 whether in cash or otherwise.

(2)Every such book shall at all times be open to the insrection of tho District Commissioner or a..,.

"ly officer".
"ly officer".

/section -24- Sc�tion 172 Subsections {1) and (2): permission employed on a claio shall, except with the 11(1) An .Amerindian express coooissioner or wages in cash wi thotlt shell be made at the ·place payment convc,nient place near thereto the district comnissioner in writing to the contrary or warden, or abatement, and such of working unless otherwis or the Commissioner of the CoIJOissioner or some e directed or warden.
any deduction of the district be paid his by (2) A peroission or genGral."

given under this regulation ma�· be either special 72.Notwithstanding the proposed we fool that in the tr!

".nsi change in the status of the tional period it would be necessary .l .. merindian to retain the laws nentioned above for a number of years.

75.The question before the Co!D!l.ission.

always enjoyed lxwrindian to the State.


In practice rights and interest aroas despite the freedom of nincral It �ppears rights was consistently brought that since 1902 the }.merindian up has within declared to work alluvial deposits the fact that all mini!lg rights iP.

::ro reserved therefore in minerals or precious stones.

Only in one the GovernIJ.ent recognised .Amerindian instance have we been requested to consider right to subsurface "1..merintlians must have exclusive minerals.
including all that is in or .Q.ll the land" - Kabakaburi.

cases there seened to be satisfaction product, which we consider fair enough.
with getting a share of the right to their lands In other 74.We accordingly reco.r:rr;ond the right in law to possess hdd in freehold b)' and to nine th::i.t in area.s star.cs they be giv·en J.,.nerinc.ians precious to ::-.�,j under the Mining Ordina.nc [d1cl other minerals r:iade by the local council ; .• n;.les to a m.a.ximuri depth of 50 feet subject and also to any relevant regulations 75.We recoor;iend further that in the case of subsurface oin:i.ne some prior agreed benefit should accrue to .Amerindian e;:pl incli councils from the or be Govornment or a pri vato concern oi tor whether v-iclual.
the exploiter 76.We recommend brochure of all laws affecting rights and of disseminating too the advisability klerindian of a collection in a single this knowledge among the limerindians theoselves.

(The .l!.merindians of /Kabakaburi -25- K ·, 1j:1k:-:buri in u \vell publ.

i.c:ise::d the nemorandun stated t.hut · s• :) iJ'1t,rinJ.ians nad privilor:;ca :f..: ·· ri(:hts. )
LJJID USE: 77.The lu:crindian has p;,�oe:rne;sed fron � .Lvr .. <,G.l.C ng and htu� t.:i eaT.tcri�� 9'xistencc t" a stato of permanent vi�lages and.

f.ubsistcnco B.t�ricu.1 ture.

'I'hc clevelopment food plonts, especially indigeno110 of cassava ancl the intro1ucticr� of non­ bananas and plantains and au�·ar cane, have.greatly increased the productid.ty of any given aroa but pattorn of sr.1ttll, seoi-peroancmt villages and part in tho life of the hunti� :1ncl gathering still play an important people.
The prinitive simple kinship-based mission school which caused con11unity With education, was superseded societies hygiene and ne::lical attention settlement by the oission base and around these facilities.

tho_ population or.se1:1: c.t,.

of tho,·c· cor:munities is increasing a.t a very rapid rate.

L1 so::.1'" St. I,�'!lll.tius, Karaudana.wa in the Rupununi the mission or school based communities arc between 12 and 20 miles distance froo their fann la.n� �,.
78.In c.11 areas of .Aoeri:id.ie.n occupation subsintcnco agrkul turo has been of the 'slash and.

bur.n' type.

The area is cleared, liurnr l and second year wcod growth has exceeded that of planted.

By the end of tho the crops and the area is abandoned.

Usually farus are cut every year so that a continuous cro:ppiIJG cycle is nai,".l-taincd.
· · · 79.The taste for donesticated animals is increasi�e but bunting are still inportant t o the f.oerindi:.in, and fishing his taste and need for tho protein, but as a neans of escaping the cooplexi a 'walk about•.

Sooe fanilies nake gardens as nuch as two days' walk or life and to fulfill the noed for ties of village or conr.,unnl not ·only to satisfy a week's paddle away fror:1 their cor.1r:uni ti0s �t;."'ld.
build dwellings on the faro for a prolo11€'od seasonal stay to hunt and fish and be by themselves.

80.

Most of the far interior are.3s of tribal occupation cooposed of very poor soils and the 'slash a:nd burn' tcchniq1:L i::, the ty forr:i of living.

Soil° fortili a subsistence only oeans of maintaining e,re is built up by humus fron tho forest cover and this is quickly exhausted by the food crops.
The land must then be left for ur to 20 or nore yon.rs for a new for•cst cover to supply r:iore humus before that' ·particular area can again produce a food crop.

In some snall.areas of good basic fertility for just long enough for a canopy to form ·to kill out the woods &?¥1 grass the length of fallow perio4 can be red�ced., soootimes /in -26- in order to make the physical clearing more easy und to produce a clean burn.

dar.

:gers of large communities tll.

The poor soil fortility Wai Wai.


Both this group and have to spread out into the vast unoccupied has been well explained by Dagan in r�spoct t•,e 6,000 or so Wapishana of the will oventually building up in areas of very forest 8J.�e� of the Essequibo, New River and Corentyne in order to maintain their subsistence.
82.Eco.nor:1ic Marudi and Kanuku Mountain crop prod1J.<)1:io.a is possible in the and •sirable nreas, in pockets in the Pakaraimas, and in most of the coastal this has been limited So far a.nd North West District areas of occupation.

· in the Rupununi, to cc-,rn and tobacco production in the Upper Mazaruni, and ma.inly tree crops, citrus and copra, in the North West and Moruca.
Statistics of crop production are not eHsily come by al though it is of Paruiua, Up:por Maza�·uni produced 100,000 pounds peanuts, peas and cabbage coffeo, Amerinnian economic known that the of cabbage in the 1968 autumn crop.

fe.ri::1ors 83.Cundiff, in an excellent memorandun to tL() Co.moission, states that among the Amerindians is very low and he indicates the standard of botr ,;tock :;hich sone of the factcJ:.

:., and crop husbandry lim.i.


t improvcnent :- (a)Lack of Education: This is the chief limiti.t\:?.'.

factor, since a severely lack of basic education his lot.

his attenpt (b)Lack of Mq�..Y.,;.

Son€ means .

::1.

;.2t 1ie fmmcl of providing in the forra of credit and sLlc0 limits the indivldual to improve in invostnent for the .Amerindian sources of crodi t are capital ordinE�ry assune the responsibi what is bettor cf granting hin interest loans.
lity of providing denied him Governncnt should hin with grants or freo or low interest (c)Lack of Suitable Tools and Machinery: At present the only tools used are the axe, cutlas� �nd hoe.

(e)Lnck of Improved Planting Mat�rial: Tho Jklerindian needs to be taught the value (There is a distressing cultivation.

sell the best of his seeds and his stock and rutain t.ho worst for planting and breeding).
of using good seods and plants in his for hin to tendency (f)Lack of Transport to Market: In the interior to an �irstrip at of getting where there are no roads.

{Tho CoI!lillission produce this is a matter the right time, invariably has had the experience /of -27- of waiting on an interior airstrip for a. D.C.3 service to town for which a load of balata was prepared� lt the l�st monent the D.C.3 was div,�rted and a Twin Ottl,r substituted for the service.
This resulted in all freight being left behind for tho next fortnightly service.

Bclata could wait for this but had the produce been tomatoes or cabbage the entire load would have been lost.

The arcn was eminently suitable for production of these particull'r crops uhich h.•1d in :C::.ct becm previously ·grown P..nd abandcned because of transport difficulties of the nature described).

In ·the coastal areas lack of tro.nsport invariably means lack of suitable boats.
(g)Lack of Marketing Experience: This is linked with.

transportation.

Knowir1g the form of transpoi;tation e.nd·:its cost, the type of crops for a particular narkct can be determined, the season of planting, cultivat ion procedures, harvesting, possibly storage, preparation, gradine and packaging and .transport to airstrip or boat.

This is a vory big field to cover and the .ru:ierindian is completely lost in it.
He will need competent help in marketi11£, his proti.ucc anc the planning of his production schedules ·to meet the dosands of the riarket.

84.

Cundiff then goes on to an assessment of some characteristics which deterraine the general attitude of the Anerindian to his use of land:- ( a)Tir.ieliness: Thero seems � �--be no sense of urgency about the way of life of the 1.nerindin.n, either in the naking of decisions or the carrying out of farm operations.
While this attitude works well enough for eubsistonco life it is not enoue,h if he wishes, as we b2lieve he does, to participate in the cooplexities of economic agriculture and ho must be convinced of the necessity for him to change this attitude or re�ain at tho subsistence and labour level.

In his busi!less declings he will have t1.> 10arn to ::nake decisions anc'I.

promptly not as he does at pro,;30:1t, oaybe toDorrow, next week, next nonth or maybe never at all.
(b)Continuous labour: 'rhc lllnerindian is capable of continuous labour and can work as well as anyone when he is enployed and directed, but when it comes to working for .

"ii.l!lself it is another matter.

There are certain periods on his farm when he will work for days on end with little or no break while at other seasons he nppears to do no productive work at all.

It could bo that having finished a task he cannot think of anything /else -28- to hin.
He else to do and sits around until sor.ietbinr; occurs must be taught how tc :::•·ofitably use his tine if he wishes to compete.

(c)Organisation oi Effort: There appears to be no effort to organise his labour efficiently.

If a field is to be planted or a crop reaped it is a nattor of chance where a start is made or in what direction work proceeds.

When working in groups each appears to do as he thinks fit, no one aprears to direct the work.

It is felt that organisation will develop when the .

.
.

"inerindian seriously takes to economic crop production when tir:letables set by cultivation harvesting ar:.

(: i:-iarketing will conpel more attention being.

,3'i.1t.cn t,o organisation and tineliness.

(d} Care and Attention given to Stock and Gropq: The Amerindian generA.lly shows a lack of apprecirrhon of the benefits to be derived fro� caro and attention paict to crops and livestock; how much extra can be achieved for the expenditure of a little more effort.
Again, this will become.evident with economio crop production •.

(o)Forward Planning: It is very noticeable that the .Amerindian does not 'think of tonorrow'.

does not always seen to be able to foresee tho consequences He lives 0110 day at a ti.Ille and of any action ho tokes in terns of futu:ce r·0suJ.

ts.

The cutting and burning of his fields in the dry season and planting when the rs.in starts is tl'adi tional and autor:mtic.
Tools are quite often thrown down where they were last used and when next required hours are sometimes spent searching for them before work can start.

rr·· \ ) Acceptance of Respon�ibility: Tod�y nany .Amerindians have no confidence in their own abilities to conpete against the other ra.cos.

There ap1.,oars to be a general disinclination on his part to a�r;;une responsibility and face unknown challenges.

There ie a lack of loc�l leaders occu.pying people are to be fou.11d.
in the con.o.unity an� the sane all the responsibilities with the rest willing to let the few carry the burden.

85.Mr.

Cundiff intimated that his observations were not intended to denigrate .Amerindian char�cter but rather to bring to light the human problems that have to be faced..

He suggests that education should take place at three levels concurrently:- (a)The school children.

(b)The young persons.

( c) The adults.


/In -29- I n schools there is need for a general raising of tho educational level and for the teaching of and the training in agriculture.

The young people fros 14 to 20 should be encouraged to join the 4Ii Noveraent or maybe receive training nt a Faro School.
Adults oay be attached for short periods to treining school far�s, bo stimulated by Bonus Incentives under a Progressive Farners' Schone, nay participate in Co-operative ?arm Units and nay be given individuc: help and guidanc8 by trained extension ste.ff.

86.The Commission a.; -;rees very largely with Mr. Cundiff' s views.

It howcvur feels that the future is hopeful in view of tho growing nunbor of articulate and forceful types.
of lunerindians er.1erging as a result of schooling, improved cornnunications and.

contact opportunities; political education and.

incre.asing awareness of their si tu�tion.

INDUSTRIES I.AGRICULTURE 87.

"No substantial improvern.mt in agriculture c� be effected unless the cultivator has the will to achieve a bettor standard.

of living •••••••• Of all tho factors r1akin:: for prosperous e, the a_c·:dcultur mo�t ioportant is the ou.tlook of th,.

; .

;�ant hioself".

( Report of the Royal Conui!


:-3ir1n on A.gricul ture in L.(�is, 1928).

!.J.

though applicable to most field:� of endeavour this truism is especially relevant to the 1.r::torindian ·who has to start aloost from r;cre.tch , or a subsistence forn of living.

88.11The first condition of progress in the reserves is that the natives should be brought to r�aliso is within that a higher standard their grasp if the:y will work to attain it and be prepared to accept guidance".
(Report of the Kenya Land CoI!lI!lission, 1933).

89.In general the lirwrindian has expressed the desire for a better standard of livi�.

Ile acknowledges that this requires a cash inco:;e for the purchase of those i tens needed fo:r. ,i bettor standard of living.

Until quite recently the or.J.y ,Jay he has been able to obtain that cash incom0, in his own belief, has been to go out and sell his labour to others -Government, estate owners, tiober grant holciers, rnnchers, balata concessionaires etc.
He has not had the belief ir hioself that by his own efforts, on his own land, he could producu a /cash -,0- cash income sufficient to rais(; his standard.

There is tr.e tendency to feel that work and ooney earning i::' something that is to be done outside his comri.uni ty and tha.t hooe is for resting and spreeing and tho cultivation of subsistence crc,1:ie for the fanily to live on during his absences.
90.Apart froti this tendency his genoral lack of education has put hio at a disadvantage packaging, in the agricultural fields of grading, ncthods nnd and marketing a.rid.

in business dealings.

Quality is of suprer.i.e lt1portance trruisportation when he is buyi�, but he processing, feels· that quality ehould not be· a nat.ter of importance when he is selling.
Education and improved facilities· in the areas of the Amerindian' a least competence 11ill improve ·CatteN: hopefully to the point where he can talce over and appreciate and uso his own abilities to the bcnefi t of hi.Llself, his community and country.

91.

At present tho .Amerindian uses for his own subsistence a variety ,-..f cl·ops, indigenous and introduced,.· with cassava, ei thor in the fom of cake or farine, as tho staple.

In some cP.Se!'.'!
In some cP.Se!'.'!

where transportation snd marketing facilities e.r-e convenient, mainly in coastal areas, surplus farm production is offered for sale.

Where the Guyana Marketing Corporation has established purchasing centres the .Amerindians are increasing the domestic production to take advantage of this service but they are showing little inclination: prodqee in quantity the particular to go beyond traditional crops or to crops required by the Corporation.
As tho Jimerindian seldcn scos a newspaper cf the cash value of specific rar.

;.io and personal Visits.

a campaign to make bin aware crops should be carried out by neans of 92.In tho Rupununi where there are local markets the .�jerindian is producii:ig corn and tobacco as ca.sh crops.

In the Pak2.raioas, f arm :produco ii.� sold to e. nct.rbzr 3:(ri�;5.:lian market.

In tho Upper Mazarun:i the Missions have always o.nMuraged non traditional crops and purchase on the spot the resultant production.
The Government Trado Store in the district at· ono tine 1,ur:,;ued a policy of purchasing l'.gricul tural produce and shipping it to Georgetown nnd mining markets.

A Producers' Co-operF.ttive at Moruca processes and markets copra and coffee to a limited extent.

93.
93.

It can be seen, � !,c::rcfore, that provided the Lm0rindian is aware of the value of crops, traditional or non-traditional, and is /relieved -31- relieved of tho responsibilit y of packaging and marketing those crops, In the Upper at Paruim.a, and protected price on the local market, and the fact that there or marketing protlems them given tho necessary where cabbages training.
have been grown for local for years there is now a boom in this comoodity he would produce Mazaruni, consumption inflated are no transportation present other traditional of peanuts, was noted, in the past, for its production Produce and potatoes.

onions and shallots, to the mining areas of on the backs of droghers over the mountains for air Kurupung and Wenamu, then 120 miles by boat to ImbainaJai shipment, For the for the growers.

This area being neglected.


peas and beans, wa.a ori�inally then 60 miles by boat to Kamara.ng crops are tomatoes economic due to its carried .

Now it is on1y ·necossa.

:zy airstrip constructed there in 1960 to cross the Kaflarang River to the airstrip the villa.

{JOe at .e.

point opposite 94.There are various factors affecting the types of crops which areas of Amerindian requirements, - transportation While adni.tting and occupation; market rc�uir·eoents.
soil types, fertiliser altitude, and external-and could and should be grown in tho various climate, internal recognising tration would.

be a better starting the dangers on two or three crops especially of single crop economies it is felt that concen­ point than attempting a wide range.

area suited to the particular 95.


In interior the mass reaching coastal dmmestic consumption, to produce, low cost items of which there is already except for a good is pointless market it areas where air transport is the only means of and plantains, supply such as g.round provisions, citrus and other tree fruits.

Except in the case of Paruioa arc sent in for the specific charter sugar, rice, where purpose of collecting bananas flights are not gee.red for organized production.
services a load of perish.ables cabbages the airline The farmer who produces airstrip only to be told that there is no room-on be very happy.

And this has happened.

particular planting, paid for his produce.
or, as in the case of the Upper Mazaruni area have to be deterr:dned and the Amerindian growing and harvesting and -delivering An organisation, The crops to be grown in a and delivers it to the the aircraft instructed in to a centre where he is a cooperative, prior to 1961, the administration a local authority will not or a nission body would then process, The farner should be concerned grade, package, ship and narket with nothing nore than the of specified crops and their ,delivery to a centre.
Al though the produce.

production /we -32- we have view� or.

the matter, the type of crops to be grown in any area must particular crops will require special centre and these will famer.

be left to tho experts containers have to be designed, in this field.

Some for transport fron field to nade, and supplied to the 96.Tree crops in the Interior are limited but we feel that citrus as also the cashew nut.

These to foro a nucleus can be added.


The availability of productions juice and oils are practical single stands or plantings however, require woul.l, to which the /.uerindian production Brazil and Sawarri nuts is such that it barely satisfies •.

We are advised �opulation of the South .Rupununi.

grown in the mountain in selected interior of given products falls recognised e;Lectric to enhance and the power potential of the numerous for the installation of plants.
Cocoa and better grades of coffee could be a number of snall hydro­ the value rivers and areas.

We feel that processing plants or factories areas should be considered that Tonka beans are plantiful in the forests tho indigenous 97.

In coastal areas, including those of the North West District, water or land, is available.

This means that low surface transport, value bulk crops such as corn could be emphasised.
processing if other crops, citrus centres there is available of only two crops, coffee and copra, is carried transport for bulk shipment.

for exaoplo, aro not to be processed To our knowledge out and even at collecting 98.

The Amerindian of these coastal the tastes and needs of the mass coastal has, in the main, been confined to sales of surplus markets but his contribution domestic supplies.

areas is well acquainted with hira for market place wrangles.
in business dealings and a gen�ra.lly Lack of education has unfitted If he knows what price he will get for his produce, even before he has planted it, and has the assurance his family oay be mere disposed wish to take off for a tinber grant or a survey party.

that he will be able to dispose to plant even though he citlself nay of his crop without trouble retiring nature 99.
Tree crops occupation other worked on citrus, in coastal have been established for a very long time and most Amerindians coffee or coconut estates areas of have at some time or .Ar!icrindian in the way of nane.eement.

Generally, required themselves what they have done for others and again it would appear that and know what is thoy have not done for /marketing -33- oarketing 1;roblons and a lack of organisation are a.t the root of their trouble.
A Producers' pt'ocess lmerindian Cooperative established at Kunaka, Moruca to copra and coffee has had fluctuating fcrtt;ncs over the years as a rcsul t of lack of good organisation t·nr� oonagenent, internal friction ,-,nd a n�sul ting lack of faith in the Co-op.

by the people of the area.

1-.:� there· are sone 3,000 people in the imnediate e.rE",C.. of the Co-op., its proC.uction i2 ,:1aintained by sheer weight of numbers.

A feH· efficietitly maintninec.

orchards could achieve the sruae volurae.


100.11.gricul ture.l education has been at a fairly high level over the past ten years in the Moruca a.!'ea.

Apart froo a resi'dent agricultural officer of the Guyana Government both th� Canadian Gove·rnnent and the British .Aid Group, Oxfam have had resident agricultural experts c.enonstrating and instructing.

.A noter cargo boat was supplied by U.S.ll.I.D.

for transporti.!

'lf; produce ,of the Land Devolopnent Schene froo Kwaba.nna.
on the Waini to Kunaka-Mabaruna.

We have no figures for production fror.1 the area but both the time and the circunsta11cos appea.r right for the types of crops to be grown to be spocifj_ed, c-,,ml for guaranteed prices mac'.e known, for the establisooent of purchasing centres and the creation of tho necessary organisation.

These things have to be spelled out so that the l�1erindian is left in no doubt; following which we feel that he will produce to the benefit of him.self and the connuni ty.

II.
II.

THE CA'l:TLE INDUSTRY 101.

The 1:..merindian generally has not Embraced aniraal husbandry any mo�e than econonic agricultu�e.

At the present tine, cattle, in any nuobers, are kept only by Amerindians :J_iving in the natural savannah ar1:,as of the Rupununi District which includes the Pakaraina Mountains.

102.

The only livestock count aveilaplu to the Connission is that in given by Durnpett in his paper 11An Outline of Amerindian i:i.griculture .

.
.

the Rupununi," • This represents the actual nunber of cattle vaccioo ted by the Governnent Vetorinary Officer of the District in 1962.

Tho figures a.re: South Savannahs 5,142; North Se.vannahs 1,560 anct Pakaraioas 1,720 for a total of 8,422 cattle in lu:1erindian areas.

/This -34- This is tl!l understatement as the effectiveness of a round-up is about 90% (Brock).

Jui alarming factor was that over 10% of the animals vaccinated - 860 -were unbranded and had no known owners.
This opens the way for disputes over ownership.

800 of these were at Annai.

It is roasonable to assume that there bns been at leas+ '3.

20% increase since 1962 and the total should now stand at around 10,000.

103.We were told that an attempt at non-savannah cattle rearing was nade at Paruima Upper Mazaruni, in 1960-61.

Hore some forested land was cleared and a start was nade in planting a nutritious grass.

The projecc was abandoned farming.


The residents found the soil too difficult for some reason or other and the land was then to be used for cultivated with hand tools and they soon gave up.

A few head of cattle are still in the area and seem to be in excellent condition.
It might be worth the while to review the original project as it could be extremely significant in indicating the effectiveness of intensive cattle production methods in this as in other forested aroas especially in the North West District where there is great potential for dairy herds.
104.The views of experts and knowledgeable persons in the field of Ju:ierindians and li vestocl� have been given to the Commission and a. review of their coL1IJ1ents is rcwardi!l€• 105.Turner made mention of the lands given up by the Rupununi Devolotnent Company for use by the Wapishana tribe of t5 South Savannahs.

The Company is recognised as the most efficient ranchirig organisati on in the interior since and Mr. Turner has been in charge of its development 1919.
Originally the Company held all the savannah area south of the Kanuku Mountains on a 99 year lease.

Sand Creek grazing areas were given up in the early 1930s and during the late 1940s the company surrendered the area of savannah enclosing the line of Wapishana villages fron Shea to Karaudanawa.

This area was then fenced off with funds provided under a Colonial Developnent an,:!.
Welf arc Sche11e, each village being responsible for the maintenance of the length of fence betweec it and the Co;1pany' s land.

Turner makes the point that most of the land given up has not been used to full adv�ntage and the revenue which would have accrued, had the conpany retained the lands, has been lost.

At the same tine he felt that lands should be surrendered for Amerindian use but only as and when Jw.erindians area.

As a rancher, was a serious they could nake good use of it.
Cattle stealing by matter but little could be done in so renote an and completely was very casual the Amerindian /ignored -35- ignored the danger of overstocking.

He emphasised the importance of fencing as a means of livestock control and management and felt that a 50 square mile block of savannah land was the minimum for a viable economic unit.

106.Brock affirmed that the average stocking rate of the Rupununi savannah s was 10 to 15 animals per square mile.

His conpany (R.D.C.)


probably had a stocking rate of 20 if one made allowances for non-grazing areas, mountains, rock and forest areas.

Grazing was generally better nearer to the forests and mountains and worse the farther one went into the open country.

For that reason the Amerindians had the best grazing lands as they had their animals between the fence and the forest in the south and next to the mountains at Sand Creek, Shulinab, the Nappi District, Annai and the PakaraiE1as fron Karasabai.
Most of the northern savannahs away from the mountains could only support about 5 head per square nile.
107.Sand Creek, though having good grazing land, was overstocked but the land behind the fence was grossly understocked • .An exception was at Aishalton where Mr. Sat1uel, an Amerindian who had worked fo.r the company for 30 years, had retired and was putting into practice some of the ferns of animal husbandry anu ranch management he had learned during his employnent and was building up a respectable herd.
Most Amerindians in the villages spend 5 or 6 nonths of the year in the balata forests and if they have cattle these are left to themselves during this period.

Brock thinks that very few .Aoerindians are interested in ranching or willing to work at it and, indeed, there is very little future in cattle for the majority of the people of the South Savannahs.
With only a balata-cattle economy he feels that there will be economic difficulties in the tribe within 20 years, earlier if there is a reduced denand for balata.

108.The nain menace to ranching is bat borne r·abies.

'llrhe company now vaccinates all its anioals every year with the result that they are increasing at a very good rate.
Vaccine now costs 32 cents a dose and the six annual doses costing less than $2.00 were well worth it when a 6 year old steer fetches per $150.00 at the abattoir (at 15 animals shipment).

The .Amerindians occurs do they send for the vet.

Jiny action then taken can at best be do not vaccinate and only when an outbreak palliative as the vaccine is prophylactic and not curative.
/The -36- 109.The land given up by the �ompany to the J:.nerindians had not been used to any groat advantage among those who had worked for the company even and he could not see any .f,nerindian, for 30 years or so, becoming an efficient manager for Amerindians' cattle in the area because of the inherent compel him to perform reluctance of one limerindian to order another around or the necessary tasks in range management.
110.Brock also connented on the absolute necessity for fencing in the proper control cost $700 to $1,000 per mile.

His company of herds and pointed had put in over 300 miles out that fencing in the Rupununi He was enthusiastic of fencing.

better quality grass on better quality rearing and quoted examples of this being done in Surinan.

about clearing lands for oore intensive cattle forest and planting 111.Dummett stressed the need for continuity in leadership which was required in any enterprise in !
!Illerindian that areas and mentioned four innovations which he had started and which were progressing well collapsed when the leader was removed and not replaced.

Livestock wore not roared to any extent by the majority did exist they were not managed in any way and had to fend for themselves.

of Amerindians and where they No strong economic case could be made out for pasture improvement in the Rupununi Savannahs extrenel y low fertility owing to initial away or flooding and the application.
leaching, washing of any fertiliser Fencing is a much better proposition for maximuo utilisatio n of the savannahs.

It was difficult to foresee any more Amerindians being enployed in tho cattle industry of the area than at present.

112.During his time as ligricultural Extension in the Officer Rupununi, the Livestock Station at St. Ignatius was in tho process of being run down and a revolving cattle scheme was started to dispose of surplus a.ninals at the station.
A pure bred Zebu bull and 30 to 40 cows were supplied to each village with the idea that 5o% of the original herd in heifers would be returned for further distribution.

Not all the villages completed the requirements to qualify for a herd, i.e.
a breeding paddock and the appointment of a paddock keeper -but those which did, Karasabai, J..nnai, ldshalton and Karaudanawa, had shown in stock but at Sand Creek and Potarinau improvement management been so poor that losses and casual breeding to scrub village bulls had had outweighed any improvement that may have occurred.

/Cundiff -37- 113.Cundiff felt that there was great need for the 1-,.merindian to recognise the necessity for him to change his 'timeless' attitude.
He made no apparent effort to organise his labour efficiently an.cl thus he failed to get the best results� The lack of forward planning was very noticeable and though intelligent and acutely aware o� his problems he lacked the knowledge to becone efficient.

Throughout the country the standard of both stock and crop husbandry is very low.
He agreed with Seggar that an effective method of training could be carried on in commercially run agricultural holdings in the Interior areas where not only the physical aspect is learned, but the dollar and cent advantages of correct procedures , fertilisation, spacing and stocking rates can be well denonstrated.

114.Knapp recor:unends an Agr.icul tural Extension Officer to work amongst Jilllerindians encouraging, advising and educating then for improved managemen t in aninal husbandry.
115.Seggar naintains that the .Amerindian generally has not embraced animal husbandry any raoro than economic agriculture • .Ani�al population is only significant in the Rupununi savannahs and here llLlerindians allow animals to roam the unfenced grasslands and breed indiscriminately with very little attempt at range management.

JJ.l forms of livestock are expected to fend for themselves and cattle, pigs, sheep and fowls, where they exist, are required to be self-supporting .
The .Amerindian seldom plants anything which he hi�self cannot utilise except as a cash crop and the notion of clearing land to plantgrazing grasses or fodder crops for livestock is still foreign to his thinking.

116.From information acquired by the CoroI:J.ission on its tours of the Rupununi it is known that area and from the experts quoted above Karasabai, Annai and Jd.shalton are at, or near, their limits of stocking capacity and Sand Creek is already overstocked.
Action is needed at the earliest time to reduce the stocking rate in these villages by culling out the poorer type of animals, particularly scrub bulls, and driving them to the abattoir for sale.

This would require round-ups and selection by an agriculturist or veterinarian.

At the same time sone necessary management could be carried out, an animal census, identification and branding, castrating of excess bulls etc., as a first stage in range control.

/The -38- 117.
/The -38- 117.

The District Field Officer is the most inportant person in assisting the village councils in their cattle policies.

For this he must not only know how and what to do, he must be instructed to do it and report to his District Comaissi oner that it has been done.

In the first place, however, the officer has to be trained.

Four weeks at St. Ignatius Livestock Farm or Dadanawa Ranch would not make a rancher of hiIJ but he would learn to recognise surgical.
and non-surgical vaccination, animals, to adninister rabies castration, elenentary diagnosis of the coIJmon diseases shutes and crushes, of cattle, the use of fences, paddocks, corrals, roping and branding and the forms of accounting and bookkeeping necessary.

118.He must be instructed to hold a roundup of each village's cattle in his district each year and to forward the results to the District Conmissioner.
This would show the number of cattle owners in the village, the numbers selected of cattle owned and branded, the nUI:1bers vaccinated, castrated, for shipment during the year and any other factor concerning livestock using the village conmunal grazing land.

119.The best time of the year for this business is in the early months before allocatio ns for norna.1 administration work are received.

is still home for the holiday season, Everyone the season is dry.
There is also early notification to the District there is no balata work and Cot!Ilissioner of shipping requirements for abattoir bookings.

120.The Commission has received no evidence whether Village Councils have obtained any revenue fron shipments of cattle progeny Dur:unett's Revolving Heifer Scheme though it is understood resulting from that Karasabai expected to make a Council shipment in 1968.
It is important that Council revenue from cattle be used to purchase vaccines and ensure their use, to construct and maintain fences, paddocks etc., in the coL1Dunal pasture.

A grant or easy loan could be made for the purpose of fencing the outer boundary of village grazing lands, all work inside tho boundary being the direct responsibility of the council, paid for by cattle sales, levies, taxes or revenue acquired by other means.
121.As so few llmerindians are interested in acquiring cattle management techniques (Brock), the it would appear that to develop potential of the understocked grazing and reduce the size of herds in overstocked Co-operatives will have to take a much more active part in the utilisatio n lands and to inprovc the quality es or areas Local Luthoriti /of -39- of village comnunal land.
Those few 'Barons' whO have acquired large herds in areas of J.i:i.:rindian occupation, despite their initiative, should be oade to exerci�e quality control in their herds by neans of a poll tax paid to the local authority.

The effect of thu tax would be to encourage the owner to slaughter for.donestic use, rather than pay tax on the!!

!, those scrub aninals which would not be worth driving to the abattoir but which are using valuable grazing lands yet and breeding nore scrub ani!!!als.
122.It is felt that if the .Amerindian grc.zing lands in the south savannahs are effectively used n.11:,.

nanaged anu if there is evid rmce of sustained control the Rupununi Dev0lopment Conpany would be willing to release more of its grazing land to the !illlerindians.

It is pointless, however, to renove 9-uali ty graded cattle from a pasture if it will not be used or if it is t0 be grazed by uncontrolled village scrub aninals.
However, the Conpany will have to surrender those areas which we have reconnended for occupation by con:mni ties.

123.For use by residents of Potarinau (P..mbrose Village) and Shulinab (Macushi Village), tho Conpany should be requested to give up that portion of land which it at present controls within the area recomnendcd for Potarinau and Shulinab, (see recoomendat ions for Potarinau and Shulinab); and for Sawariwau, the portion rccoc:unended for that connunity, (see recor.rucndations for Sawariwau).
124.For the expansion of the Sand Creek District the Conpany should bo requested to surrender up the that rortion·of its holdings cxtendinc Katiwau River to tho mouth of tho Quassiwau River and up the Quassiwuu River to a point fror;i which a straight line through Waranur Mountain would neet tho line of the Wapishana Fence �t approxinately one mile south of Achimeriwau·River.
125.It was drawn to the attention of tho Cotn.�i�sion that grazing land south of J.chiwib vill�;o on which the Co::.1pany pcrai ttcd i.nerindian occupation for cattle grazing was subsequently granted to non-Amerinlian ranchers.

This is an area south of tho Miliawau River.

Government night review permissions in these aree.s with a view to givine; effect to the original intention.
The Co::.ipany should be requested to surrender for use by the people of Achiwib that area reconnended for tho Achiwib Village CoIJI1unity.

(See recoI!ll:1endations for Achiwib).

/In -40- 126.In the Kanuku area there is for sonc : ::: 'll'S to co;::ie adequate grazing land for Anerindian needs and there are north of the Karasabai Village up to Echilebar certain areas of unalienated land still available to the Anerindians for grazing.

(Soc special rvcoill.J.ondation in respect of Jumai, North Rupununi).
127.Bookings for .Amerindians cattle for shii.

)n,:nt arc :iade through I the DistriGt Connissioner, '-'ethem.
In 1968 cattle passinc through Letheo l�bat cl'i::· were proportioned as follows:- Development Company Rupununi B�rts and Melvilles Other Ranchers 60.47% 11.66% 19.96% /unerindians through District Cor:imissionor 7.91% Nunbers of .Anorindians' cattle shipped: 1966 179 These figures arc interesti�..g a rise if only that they at lGast indicate 1967 272 1968 357 of 53% in A.�erindian cattle shipnent in 1967 as against that in 1966 and a further rise of 31% in 1968 over the.t of 1967.
128.If the A.11erindian is to develop a cash cconony which is cssontial to his economic integration with the rost of Guyanese society then he needs to put to the best use the potential p...n efficient He L'.J.st in the savanna.hB nake himself rancher either as an of his environnent.

indiviJ.ual or in co-operation.

Sone nethodical effort ought to be nar�e to open his eye to the advantages of oreRnisod ranching.
We feel that Govorn...-:1ent I s desire for the integrR-:ion of the Anorindians into Guyanese society makes it obligatory that it takes steps to educate then how best to consult their own interests.

Bearing in nind what we havo said we feel that special education and training in co-operativ es is a possible approach to this question of cattle ranching.
If a forward looking atb tude of mind can 10 fostered in thi2 ,,,s in other industries it is not unlikely that with specialised training in managonont and in operation, standards of production would in due course be as good as can be desired.

Governnent r.iicsht accordingly consider the desirability of' giving :priority to Am.erindiuns to occupy beneficially sone area.
or /areas -41;.. areas of grazing land as yet unalienated or which-it has reclaioed for one reason or another on the clear· understanding that the :Jlnerindian­ would be consistently educated and trained until he reaches the stage when he can effectively nanage an industry is at in which his service present so indispensable.

The proce8s might be· at -first· painfully slow but with the advantages of general education it is very likely.

to gain r.ioraentun.


III.THE TIMBER INDUffi'RY 129.In the nain timber producing area of the country, the area between the lower reaches of the Essequibo and Cuyuni rivers, the-large operators recruit sone 50% of their labour force fron itinerant Anorindians.

These are oainly froo the North West District and Pomeroon areas but 11..Iilerindians from interior tribes are also to be found -in the work force.
There is a constant turnover of this labour as the Anerindian works for about six r:10nths to "catch his hand" and then returns to his horao base until the need for a fu:rther cash incoue is felt.

A few AoeriLdians oarry in the tinber grant areas and rooain as a perr.1anent work force.

130.The largo operators build carips within their loases for the .

labour force where all the races employed .

live anicably in substantial and corafortable houses.
The lu::wrinclia.ns are nainly eoployed in searching for the trees to be felled, cuttinc trails and access roads to the timber and in felling the trees.

Other races operate the machinery, drive trucks and tractors and work on the oanagerial sicle of the business.
131.Owing to the itinerant of tho nature and high rate of turnover f,.raerindian labour the operators feel that greater pernanency could be obtained by the granting of land in the rivcrain areas adjacent to the tiober lease, free to 1..i:i.erindians, for the establishr.1ent of villages where the .Ar.

:ierindian could cultivate the lands and bring his fanily and the ain being an integrated settle, operators would be willing to build the houses do in the caops, is not known.

cor:munity as in Bartica.


How far the in the villages, as they /In -42- 132.In the smaller timber leases along the coastal rivers .Amerindians provide most of the labour force, the lessees sending in tractors and and the punts for convoying the logs to the mill.

In these snaller drivers leases conditions are much aore primitive, round wood, bark and leaf being the main constituents of the building accoI!lmodation.
Quite often forest leases are obtained adjacent to .Amerindian settleoents and there is no necessity to build camps.

the Jinerindian does not mako applicatio n for hinsolf 133.When working for B lease but obtains nuober of logs.

These are invariably to the river side, he can lash together Invariably he does not have the equipment light woods which, when extracted in a raft and drift to the mill.
to punt the heavy timbers and when a free permission to cut and extract a specific ho does cut then he has to depend on the mill for water transport, at docs not cost his own labour his inefficient a cost.

As the Amerindian method of extraction sale of the logs being sufficient to the coastal settlements is not brought adjacent of the home to him, the proceeds unto the day.

In all 1.norindian belt the cutting and shaping of seven foot wallaba posts for use in fencing is a steady money earner.
The main Amerindian logging area is at Orealla on tho Corentyne River.

Logging is practically tho only economy.

Efficiency has no doubt inproved since the village council acquired tractors for the haulage of logs to the waterside but the low grade method continues.

cut Loggers trails and fell the trees then havo to pay for the logs to be extracted by hand or by bullock team or tractors owned by tho council or non­ Jimorindians from the lower Corcntyne.
The logs are sold at the village to buyers from down river.

The value of the tinber is therefore waterside split throe ways.

There app�ars should not perform all three tasks in a much nore efficient and rewarding to be little reason why a cooperative manner.

134.The demand for tiraber in the interior is limited to the building requirenents of the more advanced.
societies, such as govornnent and mission stations and settlers; and this is easily met with the pit method of handsawing at the site of the tree, the planks being carried to their destination.

This is also the method used in those li.nerindian villa.gos where houses are made of board and shingle.

135.Tho Amerindian is permitted the free use of any forest material for his own domestic purposes but if it is obtained outside /his -43- his own District he nust obtain a free pcmit to extract that natcrial.
Thus, people in the Morucn wishinc; to obtain leaf outside the district for roofine purposes-havE: to obtairi a pernit.

If Gcv.

:rnnent accepts the reconncnclations of this Cormission in respect of froohold title to areas the forests within those areas would be ad.Dinistorcd by the local authority and rcraovod fron .the Forests OrdinanC().- Tho Local Authorities would undoubtedly draw up rules for this purpose and consult the Forest Departnent in its actions.
137.In the areas of J.norindia.n occupation in the coastal and North West Districts there r1v ILins aarkctable tinber.

The; Cvor.1ission recoru::iends the.t developocnt scheoE;s for tho extraction and oarlrntinr:; of these tinbers using either a coop0rativo approach or.the use of th0 Local Authority as at Oreo.Ila, but with inprov0nents, should be developed.
138.- In a few places J .. .norincliuns hi:wo been requesting that areas outside their ionediatc didricts be reserved for their exclusive use for econonic extraction h�ve in nind tm occupation of tir2bor.

W0 see no reason, however, 1 _d areas of C.rown forest shov of specific why those who not apply in the nornal way to tl:o Conservator of Forests for a pernit or for· a lease.

We have l::lade this sugc(:�tion wherever the request was raised with us.

L porni t is fro€ of cost to the 1.mer-indian.


139.It night be us0ful at this poir:t to record sone of the iL1pressions of the Conservator of Forests in his evidence bcforo the Comc;ission.

".!

'inerindians are essentially even soall scale opGrators, in the Orea.lla area where they arc enjoying n boon poriod, selling logs for very hi/�h prices.

The whole industry will have to be reorca.nised and.
whatever changes take place, the lu:ierindian �!O ld still play an inportant role in the tinber industry sinco ho is tho nan with tho greatest forest skills.

He night, for the nost po.rt, sell his labour but where he is able the to raise sooc capital and 11,:,.,s been able to acquire necessary technical and nanaeerial oxporiencc, he might by co-operative effort successfully run nodcst lo,1eing .

a1Yl nilling outfits.


The reasons for failure of considerable effort put into trying to develop ti v1:.s, co-opera /were -44- wore lack of nanagcrial ability and lack of machinery.

For his survival as an independent producer, tho 1..norindian-will have to bo helped to get the proper logging equipnent necessary, not nor0ly a tractor or two, since logs� be produced for sale at an econonic price within the econony and of of the whole industry the country.
The .l'ioerindian' s role will uncloubtodly change; he cannot be excluded from benefit resulting fron change in tho industry".

IV.THE BALJ..Tll INDUSTRY l!rO.

The balata industry Employs a large nunber of 111:torindians fron various districts.

They have suporsoded tho coastlanders who in tho early sta.go3 of the industry had to nako a long nnd hazardous journey by boat carrying with thou the noccss3.ry oqui},;1011t and supplies.

The entire industry is under the control of tho Guya.ne.
Bala.ta Conpany which has its interior headquart ers at Apotori at the junction of the Rupununi and the Essequibo rivers.

The company clair.1od that in 1968 a total of 1,185 1.r:J.erindians as aJainst 63 non-imorindians was engaged in the production of 280 tons of balata.

This industry is accordingly tho prinary source of rioncy inconc to nany : .. ncrindia.ns.

A sluop in the narket would be a s,;voro blow to then, especially to tho so in the Rupununi and tho PakaraiIJas.
Witnesses before the Connission have expressed tho view that stops should bo taken to encourage the econonic producti.Jn of other forest products e.g.

ToIL1<:a beans, o.n.costora, {:,'1IDS and nuts all of which can support the cost of air tr;.

::i,c,s port a!

'.ld which nay serve to cushion the effect of any drop in the denand for balata.
V. THE MINING INDUSTRY 141.Whilst it is true to say that 1..nerindians have; boon o::ploy ed extcnsi vely for the it cannot be said that these areas purpose would not huvo been dovclopod had of opening up lands for nining operations there been no Amerindians.

The 32 nilcs of railway track fron Matthew's Ridge to Port Kaitur:ia was built on land cleared through heavy forest /alnost -45- alnost exclusively by f�Jerindians working under a non-lioerindian contractor fron Mabaruna.
Invariably when land has to be cleared for fhe Dining of manganese, bauxite, colunbite, tantalite or gold the lu:lerindian has been the first choice for this work owing to his value as a forest worker.

Generally and mechanical tho technical speaking, other races are brought in for are side of the work and .l\rlerlndians retained for,goneral labour purposes but there are instances, e.g.

Old World Mine, where 1.nerindians work underground.
The depth of .. ttlluvial workings could be as nuch as 50 feet (Moorhead} to be that as long as the workings are open cast, that is open to the and the oriteri-0n appears light of day, it is alluvial.

If a shaft or adit is driven and work has to go on underground then a separate licence is required as all underground nines havo to be inspected by a Government agency.
142.In the precious natal and diamond fields where nost of the work is alluvial or surface working, prospectors have carried out their own clearings and .Amerindians hardly entered garden produoo to the t1iners and to provide 1it1erindian production recently, the picture except to sell other aocni tios.
Until the of diamonds was snall but following dereservation of part of the Upper Mazaruni Ju:ierindian District in 1959, the introduction of diving equipment for river-bod working and the del!lonstration of recovery of quantities of diaoonds, nost 1..oerindians of the area rushed into the business with varying results.

Tho work did not appeal to all of the� and those who dropped out returned to village coI:1tJ.unal life.
Sono of them resunod the econot1ic agricultural production they had abandoned in favour of di.anonds.

Those who stuck with oining arc now as conpetent in the exploration porkknocker froo tho coast.

Apart fron joining and wo:r;king of diamonds as any teaos in prospecting the dereserved areas they invited non-linerindian prospectors to enter their District to teach them the techniques of Ilining and joined diving crows in order to learn the art.
This initiative has paid off and the .t.merindians are not only prospecting and working within successfully their own district but have also acquired diving pontoons and equipnent for river-bod working.

there In the dia.nond areas of the Pakaraioas Districts are.

no .Anerindian licences and work clains in tho sane oannor as everyone safely said that in the northern and the 1.nerindians Pakarainas and th0 Upper Mazaruni and else.
It can be take out prospecting Wenamu areas nining is a very inportant, if not the nost inportant, part of tho l..oerindian oconony.

Unfortunately, for tho nost part, they do not receive tho full benefit fron their labours.

/It -46- by law that Amerindians 143.It is required and diamond production .Administrative the production are entered in a register in charge.of Officer and give the tinerindian the District ·a receipt and the production to receive therefor.
and weigh The details is sent to the Lands and through Government.

The prooedure is for the should sell their gold through Mines Department Mines then holds an auction bidder, the proceeds payment :to the Amerindian.

the Comnissioner of Interior.

Lands and and the production is sold to the highest being sent to the Administrative for Officer 144.In this· way the Junorindian price the best possible but he may have to wait for up to a month or more for his money.
This does not sUit his temperanent, legitimate procedure however, his production eschews tho for cash to one of the and ho invariably by selling receives always to be found in a diamond area.

With instant of values he quite often accepts a mere of its true worth.
Rather than compete with the casual buyer numerous 'buyers' cash and his lack of knowledge fraction some of the more advanced ilnerindians by a courier the prices realised still no record of sales or neans of acquiring of income for the benefit general.

of the local authority and the diamonds are sold to a licensed buyer from whom are much nearer to the true value.
There is, however, revenue from this source and the conmunity in send their production to Georgetown t,NTITLEMENT: 145.The .Amerindian Lands CoillI!lission, as its name implies, was created to deal with lands in relation to limerindians and the lioits by the Government to grant legal ownership of of intention and extent of its functions are contained in the terus of reference.
A declaration lands to limerindians is not just any lands anywhere in Guyana, were ordinarily tribes or communities Independence, but lands on which 1'.oerindian or settled, in the preamble to the Ordinance.

is contained as of the date of May 26, 1966. resident It The Ordinance therefore defines for the Co!

'.ll:lission the limits of entitlement claims or title to any lands, except within the Ordinance, to lands by J.z-i1.orindians.

rights of ownership, General do not arise.


146.l'l!l ordinary interpretation of the Ordinance as to areas of land involved would had their houses and farms and possibly seem to limit .them to those in which the .Amerindians grazing areas at the relevant date.

/In -47- I n terns of size: such areas in no st cases woul l be quite snall.

urged Early in its deliberations the Comission h�'.

'.
'.

;-,_ c-n through wri tton ::;,eoore..ncla and oral evidence that its ten1s of reference shoulr1.. he intorpreted broadly in ore.er tb.1.t justice bo done to the J-inerim1..in..ris and in order that aclequate lancls be provided for then.
·Tho last Co0i:1issioner vf Interior, Mr. 1 .. 1�.M.Learrwnd•suggostecl to the Cor:mission that any d.istributir:n of land to il.Llerinclians without regard to its economic viability wc,uld be unrealistic; and L:1.erindians thenselves have rel!lindeu us that they are the first peoples of Guyana.
Represent�tions by then and by others have discl0sed that a bcliof exists among J,neri,nclians tha.t they own lands within areas they ref Gr .,__ as Reservations whetr_�,r these lm"'..rls wore declared :>:>cscrvations or nc �.

14 7.

Ownership in the Ju::ierindian sense differs fror, tho t of the coastal people who have for genGrations prouc..ly owned le.n·1..s as their exclusive property.
The Aoerinclians by contrast have a vague idea that they own vast areas but their concept of ownership is based upon use.

The Connission has been advised thHt in Lr'..ny areas the cM1ccpt of private ownership and coopetition within a tribe scarcely exists, instead land is held by use and if a nan has ceRsoc tc use a field soneono el so can l:!ako use of it.
We have already reoarkcd that groups of l.r.1erinc,ian Cooc.uni ties in the Rupununi District and the North West District have requested that they be given title to vast areas of Guyana.

The North West District's request was for an area in excess of 10,000 sq.

nilus.

One of tho r.1ost coonon reasons given for these requests has been to provide for a growinc pcpulation.

Another reason proposed has boen that, with inprovecl educo.tion +.

'.,sir offspring would be in a position tc.


nnke nore and better use of lands.

Much anxiety was evince,.l by the Aoorinc:ians over the adequacy of the areas that would be given then.

148.
148.

The Coru::ission has learned fron various sources including archaeologists, anthropologists, agriculturists and the Ar.lerindians ther.1sel ves that traditional use of lands by lmerindians predoL1inantly consists of shifting cultivation geared to the production of subsistence crops, with cassava the dooinant crop and that the farnlo.nd requirenent would be froo 30 to 50 acres per family for subsistence only.
/Intcgrntion -48- 149.Integration seems to inply that thE, Anerinclian would be encouraged ancl enabled to develop sone fon.1 of coooercial f arning so as to fit into a noney ons economy and peroi t hin to honour his obligati to tho State as any citizen should.

Though it uust be granted that very nany lu:ierindians are likely to continue to practice their traditional mode of famine for sone tiae to come -Cuncliff thinks two or three generations a1.
:.vnntagc of noc:crn practices and striking out on coI:lI:lercial lines -the possibility of the young folk ta.kine early should not be ruled out.

At the sane tine th�re are large areas under /J:1crindian occupation in which shifting cultivation is the only ior1ed.iate practicable nethod of land use.

il.ny allocation of land should therefore be generous enough to provide for the fixation of the old and the adaptability of the young.
150.There are, of course, several anc1 several physical factors huoan factors to be taken into account.

Broadly, the physical factors a.re:- ( l',) Type of soil.

(b)Extent of unusable land in areas -sand, rock, swenp, etc.

(c)Degree of fertility or infertility.

(d)Liability to flooding.

(e)Length of fallow period necessary.

of water.

(f)J:..vailability (g)Distance between farns and households.

(h)Pest population.
(h)Pest population.

( i)Acccssibili ty • .Anon;; the huoan factors are:- (a)Adaptabi lity to cha...-ige as against fixation.

(b)Stage of general education and trainine.

(c)Receptiveness to new ideas and practices.

(d)Willingness t'o integrate.

( e)Size of or density of population.

(f)Rate of population increase.

(g)Economic trends.

(h)Leaderehip.

(i)Capital.

(j)Co-operation.

/(k) -49- (k)Interest or lack of interest in particular industry e.g.

Cattle rearing.
Cattle rearing.

(1)Habituation • to spaciousness .All these factors in its attempt Conuission In view of tho technical factors Jone what seems best in the prevaili our detcmination and raoro have been considered adequate at .providing nature of some aspects falls short of scientific ng circuustances.

by the land for tho J...uerindian.

of the aforenentioned accure.cy but we have 151.Nearly all l..r1erindian their lands be held jointly in or COCI'lunities villages the nano of their Council.
requested that 152.We have agreed that we �hould recomnend a foro.

of tenure that officers of Government would give effect to their wishes.

It has been drawn to our attention by responsible vested in Councils with all the acconpanying been inforoed only practicable be nade bodies corporate .
We have also the that in the cas� of Crown Lands the best and perhaps grant but that these bodies wust responsibilities would be by way of absolute that title for lands could bo form of freehold powers and where land is hold jointly.

It is expected that with the passage of tine anc1.. the advance each its own freehold of sophistication plot.
The responsibility 1 wculc for this disposition individual households denand would devolve to the approval on the Council of a Central whose decisions, Authority set up in law.

we hope, would be subject 153.A number of persons have expressed fear of the easy disposal by J�erindians some form of restraint of their land and have suggested that there should be put in the way of alienation.

This fear was not only in respect of the individual but also Association of from alienating or encunboring its Council.
The lll':lerinuian through ec1 their fears in these words: 111.unerindians of the conmunity Guyana represent prohibited lots within 15 years of the first grant to then except with the written consent other High �fficial who must of be satisfied the owner.

The land held in connon should be inalienable.


should in any event be confined to .Anerinrlians of the Governor-General or that the alienation the residential is for the benefit or encUt1brance should be within the particular and farnstead luienation tribe".
/We -50- 154.We appreciate the reasons for fear e.n1 we have b0en concerned about the nanner in which it could be effectively question of the practicability alienation Mr. DeSI:lond Hoyte, Barrister-at-Law, Association was the against the on this difficulty of freehold property.

Comoenting to the /inerindian of inposing a legal restraint the novel situation who was adviser observo(l: "In view of allayed.
There of the Ju;ierind.ian, and I do not feel it beyond the for sone foro of suspended to deal absolutely of 15 years as title whereby entirely new concepts oust be considered power of the legislatur e to oake provision freehold the right of the 1.merindian with his land would be in abeyance for the period by the .Association".

recommended be put on individual conditional grant as a forn of restraint.
should not be enpowerod to dispose of lanc:s Central a non-lit1erindian the electorate and we add further that should be obliB'e,l the Council owners givon absolute by referendum.. Authority without tho approval of a in the case of alienation to obtain the feeling of to should We do not think that restraints the that Councils freehold We enphasise and we consider 155.In view of the foregoing we reconnend:- (a)That in the case of con�unities Councils.

in Villflt.
in Villflt.

:o freehold title be vested (b)That all villages be officially declared.

(c)That all Councils be nade corporate bodies.

(d)That legislation be nadc for the setting u.p of a Central Authority.

(e)That provision under ordinance Village Councils restraining except with the approval of the Central �uthority and/or of the majority may be.

of the electorate as the case of land be oado tJ• from disposing way of 156.Special reconnendatior.s are made later tn the report.
communities in respect of title to incividual 157.In the oatter of allocations has had to consider the representations to individuals of - the Coonission (a)Those who live tho traditional Aoerindian life but are far rcooved fron coI:ll'.'.'lunities.

(b)Those who are living in nixed connunitics, like the lower Essequibo Pomeroon, etc., either as squatters holders and are integrated River, the B&rbice on Crown Lande er as or alnost so.
tho River lease­ /Those -51- ( c)Thoso who at the relevant settled by consent or as squatters to ins ti tu tions or to private p€rsons.

date had been ordinarily on lands belonging (d)Those who are intograted or in coastal villages arul and live in towno (e)Those who occupy lands in Govcrnnent Land Development Projects.

With respect to (a) we are of opinion that they should be encouraged to remove into sane settled cor1Dunity and shnre the priviler;es and obligations ther0of.
They should, until such tine, however, be given a right of occupancy or sone forn of pornit.

Their right to freehol•: is, however, not abrogeted and if they demand it their demA.nd shoul(1. be respected.
A tine limit of 5 years oay be allowiacl� With respect to (b) we feel that squatters should bo given conditional grnnts for 5 years in tho first place ancl that leaseholders should be given froehc·P title for lanJ occupied by thoo under loA.so at the relevant dato and the nornal second.depth where applicable.

to an With respect to (c) we rccor.mond thn.t they be on.titled allotnent on Crown Land of their choice.

Such allotnent nay be given as conuitional grents.


With respect to (d), both the Amerindian Group, Georgetown and Mr. Philip Duncan proposed that tho sophisticdod 1:I.lorinclian should }:lave ti tlo to land under the Jl.L1erindinn Lands Conr:d.ssion Orclinance.

The forncr ureed .that ft!ndividual ownership of lands by isolated /.oerindians o.g • .lu:Jorindians living in cities, should bo in the· neArost nvailablo Crown Lands".
We, having regard to tho fact that such persons are by birth neobers of a tribal group, fnvour their eligibility for land, but we ··.

would adcl that they should seek their enti tlcr.ient in the cor.inuni ty of their birth or forner residence.

To deny then rights under the Ordinance would appear to be a penalty on progress.

With respect to ( e) we recon;10nd that allotnents held in Governnent Land Development Projects should be gr�nteu freehold.
For tho purposes of (e) to (e) above we recognise absolute grant as a form of freehold.

/Sor..ie -52- 158.Sooe witnesses have nade interesting suggestions as to how, how much and to whon should land be alloted.

The following are exanples:- (1) "Three types of land should be considered based upon use: ( a) House lots.

(b)Farm land.

(o) Land for other purposes ••••••••••• House lots should have, if possible, sufficient space for growing e"' ·1e r-iinor provisions to new families as children alloted .
Sufficient land should be left to be grow and marry.

Considerable fa.rI1 land is needed owing to the slash-and-burn nature of J�1orindian agriculture.

Where other pursuits arc followed, e.g.

logging, which require the exploitation of continuous tracts of lan:l, l:.0erindie..ns nay be given rights in this land.

These richts r:iight be invested in the 1�a.ninistr8.tion rather than the villacc".

Sanders.
Sanders.

"Titles to lands occupied by Jinerindians should be granted as follows:- (ii)House lots and a small portion of land fron 1 to 3 acres be given to each nale 16 or 18 years old and above.

That full freehold titles be granted for such portions.

In addition to such grants, each nale fron 16 to 18 years old be granted a further portion of 25 to 30 acres each; but with the proviso thut such lands cannot be Ecld to anyone outside the .Anorinclian race.
That in addition to the above a reserve of between be held 30 to 50 acres per household in trust by the villa.go councils, for the thus providing cooouni ty' s needs as growth and expansion take place� - Pastor Byass - Seventh Day Adventist Mission.
(iii)"Every fa.oily unit, actually in beine or potentially so, should be given house ground according to their past traditional ownersh.ip •••••• Every settlenent should be given full possession of all the surrounding unoccupi ed lands for housing and faming sufficient to allow for distribution to the new family units arising fron the natural expected increase during the next two generations: this land is to be vested in the local Ville.go District or lirea Council or similar local public authority, and hold in trust by then to be distributed free to every male nenber of the settlrnnent at the tine of their wedding.
Such unoccupied lands should have been under /noninal -53- nooinal lease for house building and especielly cultivation by the young ncn fron 16 years of age, the outricht gift of the land possibly being dependent upon the young man's proven ability to use the lane.

aright".

- Rev.

Britt-Compton, Santa Rosa Mission.

..., (iv)"We recon.

':lend that within the villages the land be divided into residential lots and farnstead lots.
outside the village area there shouid be an area of appropriate size reserved for general agricultural purposes.

We recommend that every linerindian born before the 26th May, 1966 be eivon transport for a residential lot and a ferostead lot within his village.

We feel that these lots should be freehold".

-The .Aoerindian Association of Guyana.

159.


We have soue synpathy for tho suggestions off0red above but we feel that each cocu.iunity should work out its own terws and conditions of allocation and that Govorm1ent should place at the disposal of any Council sooe officer or officers with the necessary expertise to give it guidance.

There is, we believe, sufficient land available to each community as to proviCe scope for any reasonabl e plan of D.llocation.
160.On several occasions we were asked whether the vesting of legal title to 1.ncrindians would involve them in conveyancing or surveying costs.

We were unablG to give a positive rorly but we undertook to bring the natter to Govcrnr:ent' s notice.

In our view all costs should be borne by GoverIIDent and we so recor:1Dencl.

We suggest, however, that in the spirit of self-help Councils be asked to provide crews for surveys as their own contribution.
We sounded out one Council in this connection and the members expressed to play thoir willingness their part.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT: Village Authorities: 161.The J�erindian Ordinance Chapter 58 provides for the establishment of District Councils, i'i:req Councils and Village Councils.

162.We are told that the first attenpt at setting up village councils was nade by the 11.ssistant District Comoissioner in the Upper Mazaruni District in 1957.
�s the villages in question were not officially declared, these councils had no offici.al status.

The najority of /councils _54..;.

councils are stil:!.

unofficial ovon though they invariably get sone recognition from the adrairustration.

Even the official councils are nore or less councils in 11a1�0 0nly.

This has been adnitted by the last Conr:iiss ioner of Interior.

It appears that part of the reason for the ineff�ctiveness of those councils lay in the fact that the people conprising then had.
11 ttle or no training for the responsibility involved.

The occasional visit of a District Comnissioner or an Assistant District Coooissioncr allowed no tine for training.

The present situation denands that a vigorous progranne of education in local goverment should be set in train without delay.

The fomidableness of the task is likely tc be relieved by the fact that a large nuober of the Captains and Councillors are your;;::· nen and women most of whou have had schooling and can connunicato in English.
There could be a two pronged attack in the attainncnt of the objective, one at school level and the other at a(lul t level.

Ci vies with special reference to Local Go7ornr.1ent should form an integral part of the prograrule of interior schools and in this connection vacation seoinars for ero�ps of toe.chcrs in different areas night be conducted with a view to increasing their proficie11cy in the subject.
For adults, not only for Captains and Councillor s, thore should be seninars conducted conpetently using both oral and visual oedia and there should be a systen of regular follow up towards consoliclation.

16-�.

A forr.i of Local Governnent would have to bo evolved that would take account of tho cul turo patterns of i:.r:ierindian society.
There is no necessity for slavish initation of coastal local authorities but whatovor the forn, it nust naintain effectiveness e.:ncl and authority power to legitiI:lize decisions.

165.Section 21(1) of the Lnerinclian Ordinance sch: out an excellent body of rules.

It night, however, be well to note th·1.t tl:,:: Local J�uthority would be involved in entirely new situations.
In the first place it woul,l be responsible for the allotnent of individual holdings - a �atter of extrene inportance requiring sound knowlodcc, and a high �:o�ee of intEJgrity.

It would also very likely assU:::c the role of lessor in various respects.

The Roman Catholic anJ j..nclica.n Churches which have a large nunber of holc'..incs thrcuzhout the interior under permission, provisional lease, lease and erant, have tcl:on an enlightened view in this connection.
These Churches have expressed willingness at the expiration of existing pornissions or leases to attorn to any Local /Authority -55- 1�uthori ty under which such holdings fall and to conclude new arrangeoents with the new landlords.

166.Councils in control of cocrr:1Unal grazing areas should be alive to the necessities of good a.ninal husbandry.
They should raise money by ic.posing agistm?nt:in order to provide for fencing, vaccination and paddocks, otc., and where the opportunity presents itself they should undertake under expert guidance the cultivation of grasses of greater nutritional value than those at present available.
167.As in the case of coastal the interior Local Authorities authorities should be under sane Central Authority which should have appropriate powers and functions and to which they could look for help and guidance and support in matters of discipline and administration.
168.Some person or persons nust in the early stages assist newly constituted Local iuthorities in the conpilation of their resources, hunan and material, in the conduct and managenent of village affairs, always, however, with an eye to playing a diminishing role in the light of increasing proficiency of the people.
169.It raay be that the necessary assistance could best be given by a teeo each oenber of which is a specialist in sone particular field; a toa.IJ which can spend enou.gh ti:::::ie in each comr:iuni ty to evaluate its require!lents to introduce nethods and procedures, to initiate records and to discuss is unavailable, ways and noans of rl)ising revenue.

If local personnel assistance night perhaps be sought fron overseas agencies coomittod to helping young countries.
DISTRICT COUNCILS: 170.The .Amerindian Ordinance Chapter 58, makes for the provision establishment of District Councils.

Only one such council has been officially declared i.e.

the Orealla District Council.

This council caters for a single community.

may better serve a defined It seems to us that a District Council area within which are a number of associated villages.

We are told that since 1949 in the Upper Mazaruni District Captains quarterly were held with the District meetings of village Officer.
More recently the Captains of the six villages in the area virtually for the propagation of District Councils constituted themselves Council.

The climate in view of seems favourable into a District /the -56- and build up a sense of unity; they can maintain creeks, etc., and they can act as cross fertilisers and in time relieve the administration of the construction action in respect to hold conferences on of their can be useful unallocated of all represented airstrips districts.
in various districts Councils and utilise the common interests t he tendency for captains their own accord and decide on concerted We think that District several since among other things they can control Crown Lands, they can consult villages, roads and trails in good condition, they can organise of new trails, of ideas and experiments some of its duties.
Such councils should be under the chairmanship representatives should meet as often as practicabl There is no necessity even to serve exclusively example, the Rupununi on a District represented mining communities Upper Mazaruni District made for government considered.

Council for the Rupununi and Kowaima from constituent however be majority at Imbaimadai of the District Development Amerindian There should· nominees Company villages should be elected.

e but not fewer than two times a year.


They to have exclusive .Amerindia� ends.

In the Rupununi or other ranchers membership or for could be and members of the could find a place on the Council.

It may be that provision could be be .might in which respect the Missions Amerindia;.1 representation.
still for the time being Commissioner but the 171.All Crown Lands within the defin�d district other than those to named villag�s should come under the control which should be given a lease by Government for to sublease Leases should be for 10 y�ars in the first should have the authority any Council specifically allocated of the District such areas and the Council lands under its control.
instance accruing should be the property other members District and expenditure and thereafter Commissioner renewable for periods of 5 years • .All revenue Council of the District trained to take control but until of finances, the are sufficiently should be responsible and for cash transactions generally.

for accounting for income 172.Pending the formation of District Councils areas recommended for control by such Councils should remain under the Administration.
We would however local government within as short a period as possible.

reiterate so that they may undertake tho urgency for training .Amerindians in their responsibilities /EDUCATION: -57- EDUCATION: 173.

Some Amerindian districts have had the benefit of schools for many, many years.

These schools were undoubtedly few and they were chiefly conducted by the Anglican and Roman Catholic Churchs.
Schools were in time set up in several interior districts not only by the Roman Catholics and the Anglicans but also by other church bodies notably the Congregationalists, the Presbyterians, tho Methodist, the Lutherans and in very recent times the Seventh Day Adventists, the Pilgrio Holiness, tho Un,.

::vangelisod Fields Mission and the Assemblies of God.

Within the last 25 years, A::nerindian schools have more than doubled in nuri.ber.
There is hardly a sizeable coillI!lunity of some permanence where there is not a school.

Ls a matter of fact, the church and the school have been the nucleus around which sevoral Amerindian comnunities developed.

There arc now five Government primary schools and.

two Government secondary schools.

174.All things considered, these schools arc fairly well attended and th€re is plainly evident a growing interest and anxiety among the i...merindians to have their children oclucated.
In some areas where there are no schools or where schools attended are far distant, parents and other mer:1bcrs of the comnuni ty have expressed willingness to build self-help schools, with or wi�hout the inspiration of the church.

This is a healthy augury for the future of the Anarindians and for their inteGration into Guyanese society for there could bo no bettor training ground.
than tho school for young .t.morindians to learn to adjust theosclves to the demands of tho changing world around them, to widen their conceptual range and to enjoy tho benefits of the country's official language.

175.It is with special interest that the Com1ission has noted the place given in ti10 Govorl1I!lent' s Sossional Paper No.l/68 to the education of 1-irierindians.

The Cor.
The Cor.

:nission desires to express its concurrence with Government in its policy of providing lunerindians with tho full educational facilities available to other citizens of Guyana, and it views with much gratification the appointment of a joint cor:uni tteo comprising officials from thE1 Ministries of Local Government and of Education charged with considering the entire field of Ar:lorindian education.
The schooled lilllerindian is nuch readier to accept and assimilate new ideas and generally spce..king is noro a1:1cnablo to change and to intelligent direction.

Indeed, the inpact of a sound education /on -58- on all aspects of is so obvious life of a developing people as to need no elaboration.

themselves e to the prejudic would briefly remark on its observation.
needs, as well as for a very limited from environmental material 176.At this stage the Commission, without findings of the Committee heretofore mentioned, on one or two things that obtruded For his own peculiar the Amerindian makes articles a high degree of ingenuity There is, however, a very noticeable areas that Amerindian is only in the less sophisticated be had.

Here and there attempts are being made in schools instructio success.
of Amerindian craft but it would appear that it is in part due to n in Amerindian crafts but these seem to meet with modest off We do not claim to know all the reasons for the falling and it in craft production could artifacts to give market, which exhibit very often of astoundi decline ng beauty and symmetry.

uneconomic production.


articles and the .Amerindian might find it more advantageous in relatively limited The timo and energy used up in production of to sell his service demand makes the price earned unprofitable in a market other than that of craft produce.

would seem a pity if the natural However this may be, it could not of the Amerindian aptitudes be channelled in directions that could make him turn ou� profitably, Practical important at both primary and easily marketable.

levels.
levels.

The Secondary Schools in general demand utilities in a number of fields is extremely secondary set up should make provision variety subjects appropriate of practical should do their best to avoid creating the desire for 'white collar' The Commission accordingly employment.
for departments to their environment and of instruction the consideration to training and which are being increasingl welcomes in a y provide envis8€ed vocational ed.uca.tional programmes for Amerindian areas as referred already Paper No.1/68 to.

in the Sessional 177.One of the features of Amerindian character which to the notice of the Commission on their own initiative.
authority has from is Put _they can relay orders and see to their to exercise of authority, but they are diffident different witnesses been brought their unwillingness in a position execution much the occasion that this weakness might in education Amerindian schools a strong sense of commitment for responsibility.

As far as is possible and dedication be eliminated if the schools to make orders of their own however play their part , therefore, and with adequate technique.

demands it.
demands it.

If this is generally true, then it seems should be manned by the most capable teachers with /Under -59- 178.

Under prevailing conditions it is futile to expect to recruit � anything like the requisite number of suitably qualified The teachers.

staffing situation has been gradually improving but, by and large, it leaves much to be desired.

The efforts being made by the Ministry of Education to provide incentives for teachers taking up appointments in the interior are worthy of support.
It can hardly escapo observation that the number of Amerindian teachers is relatively small.

There might be some acceleration in this respect now that a number of Amerindian children are on scholarships at leading secondary schools in Georgetown and that the number of secondary schools in .Junerindian communities is increasing.
In this connection of the the Archbishop West Indies in his evidence indicated that Jilllcrindians suffered a great disadvantage in their pursuit of higher technical or academic education as the question papers have no relation to their environment; and even when they have overcome that difficulty, there was the other problem of accommodation and maintenance in Georgetown for those .Amerindians selected for training.

179.
179.

The Commission it feels that the principle has had a look at the hostel at St. Ignatius and of setting up hostels for .Amerindian children is a good one not only because they enable children to be drawn from areas far apart, but under enlightened supervision they can be a useful training ground in social and communal attitudes.
can Hostels serve as clearing houses exchanging worn out ideas for new and improved ones and the hostel dwellers can be instrumental in selling these new ideas in the communities to which they return.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: 180.

"Getting people to take part in processes for their own betterment is the greatest single function of Community Development".

So said the Chief Community Development Officer to the Commission.
He listed a number of self-help projects that had been accomplished in .Amerindian communities and of which they could be justly proud but he continued -"There is a tendency to measure the results of Community Development in terms of roads built, schools and bridges constructed.

But these are not the final measure of the success of Community Development efforts.
Through Community Development change in thi1u{ing of the people of the communities is to be brought about so that what is wanted could be achieved automatic ally ••••••••••• Tho implementation of a vigorous Community Development Programme by the Community Development /Division Di vision of the Office of the Prime Minister embodying all the Ministries of Government would greatly assist Amerindians in integrating themselves with other peoples of Guyana and should be a firo recoooendation of the Commission."
181.If, as the Chief Community Development Officer says, Community Developnent is concerned with changing such attitudes and practices as are obstacles to social and economic improveuents and with engendering particular attitudes which are conducive to these improver:ients, then,Comounity Development is the answer to nany of the problems facing the 1.merindian.

So much depends on getting the J.merindian to change such attitudes as are prejudicial to his own progress.
182.We support a vigorous program.ne of Community Development among the 1.nerindians and we are at one with the Chief Comr.mni ty Development Officer that good comnunity developers should be drawn fron the comr:i.uni ty itself.

We have been reminded again and again that the lu:ierindian is the best person to get response fron his fellow f;me rindian.

HEALTH: 183.It has been observed that Guyana is one of the few countries where tho aborigines are increasing rather decreasing in nuuber.
This is, no doubt, due to the alnost complete eradication of malaria, to tho efforts being made to reduce the incidence of tuberculosis, to the setting up of maternity clinics and health centres, to the improvement of hospitals, to the devotion of itinerant doctors, dispensers and Aoerindian nedical rangers, to tb8 .fu:1orindian Nurse Nidwives and to improved nutrition especially a.�ong school children by virtue of a school feeding program.ne the cost of which is borne jointly by UNICEF and by the Guyana Governr1ent.
To these should be added the growing provision and use of latrines and of potable water, and the training of school children in hygiene and in sanitation practices.

Infantile nortality rate has reduced and life expectancy has increased appreciabl y.

184.In this connection a special need of praise must be given to those missionary bodies which have at their own expense been providing medical help to Jl.tlorindians in various parts of the hinterland.
The Unevangeliscd Fields Mission is a boon to the Wai Wai and to several communities in the Rupununi including the governr.icnt at Lethem.

station /The -61- Tho Missionary doctor, we are told, actually assists at the Government hospital at Lethem in times of emergency.

Mo.

:ny cmerc�mcy cases have benefited from the mercy flights carried out by this mission.
The Pilgrim Holiness Church has ntu·sing stations at Par8lllakatoi, Phillipai, an: Bar2mi ta at c-.ach of which places there is at least one resident nurse.

The Roman Catholics have a medical missionary stationed at 1:..ishaJ.

-ton.

'l'hL:: is a recent provision.

A Seventh Day Adventist Mission doctor visits the Upper Mazaruni at regular intorvals and there is a nurso stationed at Paruima.
If for one reason or another these miscionary services are withdrawn the situation for t!1e lllllerindians would be most precarious.

We wore a little concerned by tho fact that no indigenous doctor seorr:s to have served among the lunerindio.

11s in the remoter parts of the hint0rland and we hope that in our present state of independence some of our younger doctors wculd give thought to the dedication of some part of their service to the people of the hinterland.
Up to now only foreign doctors have been known by Junerindians in remote areas.

185.We would suggest that the help of the voluntary medical agencies should as far as possible, be enlisted in on the spot training of medical rengers and nurses and first aid helpers.

The number of these types of workers could be considerably increased.

All tec1.chers serving in the interior should have so:ne first a.id training.
186.The Chief Medical Officer cited tuberculosis as one of the outstanding health problems among iiIIlerindians.

He pointed out that they had not been exposed to the diseaso &s long as other Guyanese have been and their immunity was low.

The most effective means of ere.dicating this disease would be, he urged, to carry out a continuous B.C.G.

vaccination programme among Lnerindians making sure that every new born babe was vaccinated.
This is a long term programme since there 1':ould be the prerequisite of having an adequate number of persons trained in administering the vaccine.

In the meam1hile, supplios of X-ray equipment are being increasingly available to interior hospitals and Amerindians arc being encouraged to present themselves for screening.

The Chief Medical Officer considers the response heartening.
He, however, pointed out that the diet of tho Ji.merindian, generally speaking, was inadequate for good nutrition and suggosted measures for improvement.

J;mong these were the use of diets with adequate protein content.

T.his would involve the production from garden and farm of protein crops and the rearing of suitable animals, smnll domestic /animals -62- animals in particular.
A taste for new types of food would have to be the Chief cultivated this connection, emphasis should be Economics themselves with a view to their forming part of regular considers diet.

In that special Officer in Home given to the training of J.merindians them to guidance be given in getting and sympathetic to unaccustom ed diets.
Medical habituate 187.The Ministry of F.ducation has already established 12 Home Departments Economic growth, preparation would be a substantial in Amerindian schools and use of nutritive carry over to the home.
the and is encouraging foods in the hope that there 188.The Chief Medical Officer of communities the organisation population, and that substandard sanitation could be disastrous in spreading to noto that the UNICEF/WHO was pleased Programme had been extended that more such areas would be similarly served.

to a few schools warned that in view of the increasing required careful planning in areas of concentrated population diseasos.
communicable The Commission in .Amerindian areas and hopes Environmental Sanitation I N.l'EGR.ATION: 189.In the proa.mblo to the Jimerindian Lands Commission Ordinance to assist the they can without disadvantage Such a policy with the rest of the community.

to the stage.where be integrated 1966 it is stated that it is the policy of the Government .Amerindians themselves, has indeed been enunciated (at para.
40) quoted from Mr. Gregory-Smith's Government both possible and desirable Western separated and that they should not accordingly society.

should base its long range poli-0y on the fact that it is to for Amerindians from the rest of Guyanese for some time now.

We have already civilisation to report (1948) his view that to adapt themselves The Legislative be permanently Council Advisory Committee Mr. Gregory-Smith's for Communications view.

and the Interior endorsed 190.


Inl96l Mr. J.B. Bamford, the then Commissioner of Interior, range from the primitive stated - "The limerindia.ns and it is the policy of Government progressive take their place with other groups in the general The advancement with which we are faced.

Administration of the Amerindians to bring this minority steps to the standard of culture which will enable them to of their· affairs has been is one of the groat social problems to the civilised group by life of the country.
/influenced -63- influenced by two principles -protection -and· a and integration delicate balance between the two has to be maintained as the transition period varies between groups.

Protection over a period of years can bring undesirable results although not as imoediately obvious as the unfortunate but insidious effect of inadequate protection, and harmful just the same.
This balance can only be @aintained on the by alertness part of Government and by a flexibility of action attuned to econonic and social factors which are likely to vary from place to place".

191.Integration between 1�,erindians and other groups of our society has been takli.og place over the years gradually and perceptibly though not as a result of applied policy.
The Aboriginal Indian Committee, already referred the to, in its report of 1946 divided Aboriginals into three categories:- (i) Those that have alnost conpletely given up their original mode of life and have internarried and nixed with the ordinary colonist to an extent which for all practical purposes places thet:J. on the sane footing as ordinary colonists.
(ii)Those that have cone into considerable contact with 'civilisation' and have adopted some 'Western' habits of life but have been able to retain their identity as Aboriginals and have continued to segregate themselves in certain areas.

(iii)Those that have suffered the least outside interference and have therefore retained to a large extent their original native customs and ways of life.

Category (i) in the opinion of the Corn:iittee should be treated in every way as ordinary citizens.
Categories (ii) and (iii) have to be catered for through nodern legislation.

192.

We have taken integration to nean the bringing of the finerindian into the social, political and economic streams of society and the provision of opportunities for his upward mobility.

For him, this involves the principle of privilege and obligation.

In his present state the Amerin­ dian is keenly alive to his privileges for but has no strong penchant obligations.

It may be that he is not to blame.

193.


1\nong sophisticated lJJerindians there is, generally speaking, great favour for integration.

The desire is not so strong among the gener- ality no doubt as a result of tho fear of change.

Representations in favour /of -64- o f integration were made by Mr. Philip Duncan, by the .Amerindian Association of Guyana and by tho Amerindian Group, Georgetown.

194.Mr.

Duncan proposed that there should be no new reservations should be gradually There dereserved.
and t� existing reservations should, he said, be two-way .Amerindians.

This he felt would benefit movement between Amerindians and non­ .Amerindians.

195.The .Amerindian Association of Guyana urged that reservations should be gradually more settled.

phased out as Amerindian occupation became more and 196.The Georgetown Amerindian should remain until the .Amerindians affairs.

the oountry's Group advanced were ready to take their place in that reservations There should be no su�den change.
197.Non-Amerindian among .Amerindians ,witnesses of and with considerable have come out strongly in favour of Group.

experience integration e.g.

Mr. Dummett, Mr. McCann, the Timehri knowledge Dummett states: "I am in favour of discarding the reservation and the complete integration On no other principle generally expresses a definite does Guyanese in tho Guyanese society.

make sense.

The Amerindian of the for a retention of the .Amerindian preference society on the Coast and the l�erindian people.
n of fear of a protected the gap that exists today between status quo.

This is an expressio Should they remain in isolation, culture of the peoples tho dominant may widen.

This will definitely should take a less generous providing the bias, it is left for means to be found to cushion change.

Tho integration wider sense".


effectiven and economic ess of 'cushion' the services view towards necessary viability be the case if the coastal spending its taxes in the shock of would depend on the rate of to bridge tho gap.

Having stated of the lilllerindian col!lDunity in the peoples 198..Mccann' s interpre tation in a nutshell defensible is on the basis of equality which is m.orally is "Tho only integration of opportunity".
199.The Timehri Group observed "Ultimately, into Guyanese y integrated society.

completel should be includes This integration lJncrindians the right to own land in the normal way".

/In -65- 200.In only one instance in a remote Rupununi oommuni ty was the Commission geographical stand it has taken.

told that there was no desire for integrating.

The location of this community is probably contributory to the ·201.
It is at the political enjoying the greatest measure level that the .Amerindian Ho is subject of integration.
is perhaps to national in a political party and each of the recognised and has an identity; he is by virtue to exercise the vote; he is in a position like other citizens registration Suffrage of Universal for membership eligible political parties own party as is attosted Party; he can be a m�mber of the National Assembly present greatly to by the pres0nce claim to have l.lnerindia.n membership; at least two such members.
His political accentuated in recent times what with the seeking of his support has been he can have his of tho Guyana National and there are at importance by all political self-esteem.

parties.

This in every sense is good for his What is equally important, indeed more important, is that steps for his economic intugration should be accelerated.

Removed from world, he appears to be satisfied to have enough for the the economic day.

There are indicai&ons, disturbed outsiders, with modern utilities.
economy however, that this smugness is boing with more frequent contact what with better schooling, quicker and easier communication, Like all other citizens and ho nust be 1:elped so to do.

Not only does h0 want money needs, he needs to learn to save money so as to increasing acquaintance ho must enjoy a money his own capital.

-land and labour to meet his immediate develop factors management.

and in animal husbandry.


to be taught economic organisation marketing; He would need training He perhaps has two of tho basic economic -but lacks tho complement of capital and As has been already practices in modern agricultural would need mentioned he he would need to obtain and appreciate in co-operation, production and credit facilities.

202.
202.

Ehployment opportunities should be open to Amerindians the same basis as to members of othor groups and more and more of them should be trained There have for more places at secondary to take their place in government both Amerindian schools, at technical and private and non-Amerindian and agricultural been pleas by witnesses sectors.

on institutions services -teaching, nursing, police and a:rmy.

and at Home Econonics Centres, for more open doors to the /It .

.

, , .
.

, , .

..,....---- -66- 203.It should be observed that orientation is as necessary for as the non-Amerindian the Amerindian latter than the llJilerindian made azfcl still nakes a significant more necessar needs to know much more of that the latter has and to Guyanese culture than he now does and to appreciate The non-.Amerindian contribution the .former.

- perhaps y in the that given the chance he can take his place at any level of society.
a number of .Amerindian teachers, We have three Amerindian priests, nurses, policemen of Religion, of Amerindians and soldiers who acquit themselves public.

but these are hardly seen or known to the coastal is a step in as also is the participation Sisters creditably, The participation the right direction children in tho annual country schools.

at both the adult and the school level by the further cheap a.i:r fares tc and from the interior.
Efforts at more frequent in national occasions wide sports competition should be intensified promotion of of tho school contacts for primary 204.Migration of coastle.nders West Indians and if necessary of to the interior politic, has had general we think if some attention public approbation.

It would be of be given to the character as well as to their orientation consider the interior the migrants a few persons and jetsam of coastal which, if actualised, communities.
might produce very to be a refuge for the flotsam concept This is a disastrous undesirable results.

and surveillan ce.

Not 205• Bamford' s observation on the "delicate balance between is well taken.

Several witnesses drew for gradualness in the transition and urged that certain rights and privileges at present for a Amerindians under the law should be preserved.

well planned and well build the !merindi�n's morale and community development ence.
and self-confid to the necessity a.nd integration" protection attention we have already enjoyod.

by nunbor of years.

We have also proposed a executed calculated to We would further suggest the authority any person or persons from within or without for law and authority.

of local government of local councils programme that Government take steps to undergird and to take swift action against who show disregard /LEGISLATION: -67- LEGISLATION: 206.
If the Government of Guyann adopts all or sone of the Comnission's recomrieudations, we believe that legislative changes will be necessary.

The precise nature and terras of such changes will undoubtedly rest with the legal arm of the Gover.rment..

However, we .

feel it is an appropriate function to indicate in a very general way what changes night be made as indeed we have done in our recommendations dealing with freehold title for f.merindian Village Councils or Local Authorities.
In the light of the Govorru::icnt's long range plans for the integration of the J.merindians and of some evidence received by the Coonission, we seriously question the relevance of the .Anerindian Ordinance ns it stands to(ay unless major changes aro nade.

In the area of freedoms and perr:1issions a consolidation of f.�1erindian rights would seem to be desirable.

Even the as general observations foregoing are by no z:ieans exhaustive.
Other changes will undoubtedly manifest theoselves much t1or0 readily to the legislative experts of Govornnent.

-68- SUM.MARY OF GENERJi.L RECOMMENDATIONS WE RECOMMEND THAT: I. FREEDOMS AND PERMISSIONS Para.

No.

1.

Freedoms and peI'I:lissions under the Crown Lands, the Forests Ordinances bo preserved 15, after which time �hey be subject for in law and the Mining 'for a nunber of years, say now provided to review.

2.
2.

In areas held under freehold given the right in law to possess stones and other ninerals 50 feet.

they be by Jmerindians and extract to a maximum depth of precious In the event of sub-surface property Authority ment, private concerned company some agreed benefit from the exploiter, or individual accrue to the Local minJ.ng on Amerindian whether Govern­ 4.

A brochure Jioerindians them.

of all laws pertaining to the rights of be prepared and disseminated aI:1ong 72 74 75 76 II.INDUSTRIES -Cattle 1.
The Rupununi Development Company be requested to surrender such areas now held under pernission.

123 to 125 2.

The Incorporated Trustees of the Church in the of Guyana be requested to surrender Diocese Cattle Grazing people of Yupakari could be vested freehold so that the area in question in the Local Authority.

Peroission No.39 in favour of the 3.

The Roman Catholic t square mile of grazing No.14094 in the freehold at Moco Moco, Rupununi so that it be included area of the peopJte of Moco Moco.
Bishop be requested to surrender land held under pernission III.ENTITLEMENT be given legal tenure for portions of land 1.

Anerindians adequate areas in which they were resident date.

relevant for their ir:mediate and future needs in on the or settled 2.

Individuals or groups living outside be encouraged to join a connunity establis hed and comnunitics pending the exercise pernission to occupy where they are.

of this option they be given a 169 157 who on the relevant date were living as 3.
Jlmerindians squatters given conditional up to a oaximum of 30 acres.

on Crown lands in the loss renote areas be grants for areas occupied by them 157 /Amerindians -69- Para.

No.

4.

.Ar:ierindians who on the relevant of Crown lands be given freehold leaseholders title for areas held under lease up to a naxinun of 30 acres.
date were 5. fimerindians who on the relevant as squatters on private land be eligible allotnent on Crown land of their choice; such allotments grant the being given on conditional area being at the discretion of the CoI!ll:lissioner of Lands and Mines.

date were living for an 6. limerindians born in the interior or having spent sooe part of their life in the interior the relevant in towns or coastal villages be eligible for an allotoent domicile.
date were ordinarily in tho village of their birth or foruer but who on resident or settleQ 7.

Amerindians holding allotnents Projects be given freehold title for in Governoent Land Development their allotments wherever this is practicable.

8.

Legal title persons nominated by a household.

be given in the narae of the person or Costs of surveying and conveyancing, respect entirely of co01:1unities, by Governnent.

whether in be borne groups or individuals IV.


LOCAL GOVERNMENT l. li.11 villages be officially councils be deaned Local Authorities.

declared and all village 2.

Freehold respect of all land owned by a village.

title be vested in the Local Authority in 3.

Authority A Central control a systen of local goverru:ient .Araerindian be set up to .devise, direct and suitable villages.

to 4.

Local Authorities be declared corporate bodies 5.


Provision be coopelled of village lands in favour of individual of individuals be made in law whereby Local Au.thorities to carry out nutations ·or sub-division households or by Governrient.

on terns approved 6.

Provision only at the will of the oajority be made in law for nutations to take place of the electorate.
be oade in law for restraining Provision Authority from selling or otherwise village lands save and except with the approval of the Central Authority.

disposing of any Local 157 157 157 297 160 155 155 155 155 155 152 155 8.

Provision be made in law forbidding from selling or otherwise disposing any village land unless the wishes of the electorate has been sought by way of referendun.

a Local Authority to a non-Amerindian 154 /Consideration -70- 9.
Consideration be given to the early establishment in this on lines suggested of District Councils report.

10.District Councils be responsible to the Central Authority.

11.District Councils be macle corporate bodies.

Para No.

170 12.Areas proposed for administration by District Administration Councils until bo, and reoain under the District such tine as councils �re foroed.
172 V. EDUCATION l. A training .,\ND TRAINING progra.r:1L1e in Local Government appropriate to 48 tho hinterland for prospective people in be undertaken government their villages.

as early as possible, first, 162 officers, then for the 163 interior 2.

.At school level training to Local GoverllI:lent be conducted consistently.

in ci vies with special reference 162 3.

An intensi vc programne of training and in Co-operatives cor:Jr.1unities.
be carried out in the various in Cornnuni ty Developnent128 137 182 4.

More facilities for prinary for Anerindians.

provided and secondary education be 176 177 5.

Consideration training be given by Gcvernnent and instruction to intensive in agriculture and 84 at child, 85 sustained adolesce nt and adult levels.

6.

In the interest of integration steps non-.Aoerindian public better informed be taken to have the about ll.Illerindians.203 7.
The Guyana Inforcration constructe matters steps be taken to have these of general Services for specially to lmerindians on to th� and evaluated.

d progranoes to be .broadcast and particular interest progran�es arrange 47 8.

Every opportunity be taken to facilitate travel coastland with both.

familiarisation 203 with a view to greater and interior between VI.HEALTH 1.

More and better medical services be placed at the disposal of limerindians.

2.

Guyanese challenge doctors of the hinterland.


be urged and encouraged to meet the 3.

More .Anerindians be trained as nedical rangers and nurses.

186 184 185 -71- PART II GENERAL REMARKS 207.In its effort to determine the areas where any tribe or community was resident or settled the Commission paid visits to as many places as practicable.
The number of places involved,the means of getting to them, and the limited availability of transport, among other things, caused our visits to be unavoidably short.

We, however, met quite a representative number of the population and culled information from them at first hand.
At no time did we gain the impression that web was being drawn across our eyes and we have given much weight to the word of the Amerindians themselves as well as to that of responsible persons working in their midst�· It w�s virtually impossible to see everything with our own eyes.

Apart from what we saw on the ground we have been greatly helped by maps and plans of various kinds supplied to us by the Department of Lands and Mines,· the Geological Survey Department and the Forest Department.
208.We have taken the community rather than the tribe as the operative collective unit since the community is the type of social organisation which is now common.

We have used the term in its simple rather than its complex connotation i.e.

we have taken community to mean an aggregation of persons residing within an area supporting such institutions as schools and churches, having common interests and so1:1e form of government or control.
While comriuni ties in the i.·1tericr tend generally to be exclusively of one tribe, on the other h:.

;id the majority of communities in coastal areas are made up of two, three or m0re tribes.

Captains accordingly seemed to us to be leaders in a community rather than heads of tribes.

In the &>uth Rupununi for Savannahs example there are several Wapishana communities in our sense of the word, each with its own Captain and Council.
We have even found two differant neighbouring tribes requesting to hold land jointly, a case in point being that of Potarinau (Wapishana) and Shulinab (Macusi).

Both are in the South Rupununi Savannahs.

Similarly the .Akawaios and the Arekunas of the Upper Mazaruni of one requested joint ownership area of land.

We have already observed that the church and now the school constitute the nucleus of communiti es and it does seem that this type of organisation has come to stay.
While there are some closely knit communities there are others of a rather straggling pattern.

It is not.

easy to determine the precise limits of any one community.

It seems that it is the area of the Captain's influence that more or less /determines -72- determines the limits of any particular community.

A group or a family might be living miles distant from the area of concentrated population qut it acknowledges, and is acknowledged by, the Captain of the concentrated group.
Such a group or family invariably forms part of the electorate.

209.The communities have almost without exception requested a collective form of ownership with title vested in their Captain and Council.

This we believe to be a useful intermediate stage as it might prepare the people for the stage of individual ownershi p. It would further provide the opportunity areas for community grounds and buildings for general planning and for experience in for conserving ·- local government.
210.In the earlier part of our report ( paras • to i50) we gave .-1'4s.

the rationale by which we were guided in the determination of areas adequate for general needs.

We now submit specific recommend ations in • communities and respect of particular groups and we have attempted to outline in some detail the areas we consider adequate for each community's or group's requirements.

.

211.
.

211.

We submitted both our verbal and our cartographic descriptions to the Commissioner of Lands and Mines for necessary emendations and the technical touch and we arc grateful for his assistance.

212.We have constructed a form by which to describe communities with some particularity.

The general reader is not unlikely to get lost in the maze of strange names of rivers and creeks and it would require a very good map to follow their ramifications.
Even where we found it necessary to refer to unnamed rivers it is safe to say that these have names known to the Amerindians.

213.Population figures are not too reliable.

We have tried various sources more often than not the captains and councillors and teachers.

By and large the figures supplied by other sources differ so significan tly as to be disconcerting.

We have probably struck a not unhappy mean.


We found a certain consistency in the ratio of school population to remaining population -something like 1 to 3 -and this has braced us in our view that the present Amerindian population is within the vicinity of 40,000.
/In -73- 214.In our description of communities we tried to point out in a few words to what extent the 1\merindi.,m has adopted the culture and the social behaviour of the coastlander, more or less the townsman, and the degree of ease or difficulty with which the formeF can fit into the social pattern of the latter.

This includes dress, language, housing, use of money etc.

We have called this ·'coastal acculturation 1 for want of a more precise term.
215.Wherever requests we havie have been made by communities mentioned them.

Most of the areas requested we have found to be unduly large and disadvantageous to proper management and control.

On the other hand there are a few requests which we considered to be too moderate for necessary viability.

Our recommendations have taken note of both cases.

216.There are instances in which a number of communities use a common area for some one or more particular purposes.
In such cases we have suggested that these communities be allowed beneficial use subject to periodic review.

We do not think that in any of the areas recommended there is likely to be pressure from coastal population in the foreseeable future.

217.It would be bold of us and utterly unrealistic to claim that we have identified every little knot :,f Amerindians.

There are a few places of which we are aware but with which we have been unable to make contact.
These are Arabaru up the Kako river, some 265 miles up the Mazaruni river, Kurupukar i on the Essequibo river sone 58 miles above Potaro Mouth, Apoteri at the junction of the Rupununi and Essequibo rivers, Achimeriwau between Sand Creek and Shea in the Southern Rupununi.

These are relatively small settlements.

218.There are other places which we have visited but from which we subsequently 163 miles and 108 miles respectively got inadequate response.

up the Deoerara river.


These are Mo.bora and Malali, 219.We recommend freehold title for the area occupied by these settlements together with an adequate allowance for population expansion, natural boundaries being used as far as possible.

Malali and perhaps Mo.bora might elect for individual ownArship.

/Apart - .......------------�·--------------- ··- -74- 220.Apart from Orealla there are no great concentrations of Amerindians along the borders.
Other border communities are St. Ignatius on the Takutu river, Karasabai, Kanapang, Itabac, Waipa and Kaibarupai on the Ireng river.

The small family settlements of Kurabiata and Aliaoang near the Great Falls on the Kamarang river, Upper Mazaruni, the settlements on the of Kaikan and Arau on the Wenamu river, Awarapati Cuyuni river and Yaraki ta on the Amakura river in the Iforth West District are also border settlements.

WAPISHANA COMMUNITIES 221.The Wapishana tribe belongs to .Arawak stock.
Historical evidence shows them to have been living in their present area of occupation the Wapishanw in 1810 (Hills) who says: "It seems highly probabie that were in fact a smaller pa.rt of a large group of Arawak speaking Indians who migrated northwards from the Rio Negro, up the Rio Branco, finally into the southern savannahs Following their arrival boundary moving across what is now a political l) the Wapishana gradually absorbed the end of the 18th century"� and settlement towards and displaced the existing Carib tribes of Taruma and Atorad.
222.The tribe now lives in 9 major villages and in several small aggregations in the South Rupununi savannahs south and west of the Kanuku Mountains.

Tbree of the villages, Potarinau, Sawariwau and Achiwib are in mid savannah areas west of the Rupununi River and the re�ainder are to the east of the river.

Karaudanawa village is situated in mid savannah but Sand Creek, Shea, Maruranau, Awariwaunau and Aishalton are near, or reasonably near, to the forest edge.
223.Western contact came through European settlers introducing cattle into the savannahs from Brazil towards the end of the 19th century, through.

tlission activity by the Roman Catholic Church in the early 20th century stationed and by administrators.

A District Field Officer is at .Aishalton and the area has been the scene of some intensive field work by members of the McGill University Savannah Research Project.
There was also a short lived contact with a Canadian Gold Mining Company at Mnrudi Mountain.

Thero is very little non-Amerindian (l)Hills, R.L.

Etnographic Notes on .Amerindian University Savanna Research Project /occupation Agriculture.

-Series 9.

McGill -75- occupation in the area apart fron the ranch holdings of the Rupununi Development Company (R.D.C.)

224.Of the R.D.C.

's original holding of 2,805 square miles the Company has officially surrendered some 800 sq.
miles for Wapisha.na occupation at Sand Creek and behind the 'Fence• and has unofficially vacated some 200 sq.

miles from Achiwib south to the forest line and in the area between Sand Creek and Shea.

The Company is utilising all the savannah rate of 1.5 head of cattle· for each square mile at the lands left to it and is making cattle shipments of holding per annum.
225.The economy of the Wapishana on the is mainly centered production of balata, a seasonal forest occupation which leaves the people free for subsistence agricultural pursuits for some 7 months of the year.

The major cattle economy of the tribe is in the hands of a very few people, mostly Arawak teachers from Moruca who have settled there, and ranch foremen who have retired from the R.D.C.

Where balata is not a feature of the economy, as at Sawariwau, corn is grown for sale to R.D.C.
for use as a supplemental feed for working horses.

Economic agriculture is in its infancy with peanut-growing trials being carried out in the Aishalton forest area.

226.Thero is a road system encircling the Rupununi River and connecting all villages·with District Headquarters at Letheo.

Most villages have airstrips capable of accoruJodating the D.C.3 aircraft.

Air service to Wichabai (for R.D.C.

), Aishalton and Lumid Pau (Karaudanawa) is regular.
lu1 airstrip is na.intained at Mountain Point for emergency shipment of cattle when Lethem is closed as a result of Foot and Mouth epidemics in Brazil.

Airstrips are maintained at Awariwaunau and Maruranau for seasonal balata shipments.

(2) 227.

According to Rutherford of McGill University, the Rupununi savannah and adjacent forest area is composed of two relic erosion surfaces and in general the leached soils have no minerals to create fertility.
Soil nutrition is built up by humus and is released for crop use on the burning of the cleared forest.

For the bulk of the Wapishanas using 'bush islands' and the forest adjacent to the savannah, it is necessary, when a crop has exhausted the available nutrition, to allow a fallow of at least 20 years for the regrowth of forest and the supply of humus for the next crop.

In the Kanuku Mountains adjacent /to (2)Rutherford, McGill University G.K.

Some aspects of Rupununi Savanna Research Project.

soils.
soils.

-76- to Potarinau and Sand Creek there are some areas where the alluvial factor is significant that with sound cropping and tho nutrient supply is relatively great so cultivation management permanent is feasible.

This also applies to the area of Marudi Mountain.


228.Having regard to the need for a long fallow period and to the increase of the Wapishana , the CoIJnission areas has recomr.iended sufficient to maintain a subsistence forn of living on these poor soils and hopes that the techniques of fertility build-up and sound soil ma.naget1ent would be taught to and practised by the people, so that as the population increases the period of fallow can be reduced.
At the same tine a cash economy, resulting in loss dependency upon subsistence, can be improved in both agriculture and animal husbandry.

For this reason, anong others, the Comnission that a recommends District Council be created for tho area to manage tho fertile lands of the Ma.rudi Mountain area for economic crop production and that the R.D.C.

be officially requeste d to surrender the cattle grazing areas aforonontioned.
229.As the population of the area is approaching the 6,000 oark it is felt that the adninistrative officer should not hold a rank below that of Assistant District Conmissionor.

A Dispenser and Nurse-midwife with a cottage hospital should at least be placed at .Aishalton in addition to an agriculturist and a livestock manager.
230.The foJ.Jowing is the list of cor:iounities in respect of which 'Specific Recommendations' have been made:- Achiwib Karaudanawa Aishalton Awariwaunau Mururanau Shea Sand Creek Sawariwau Potarinau.
-77- DESCRIPTION OF COMMUNITIES � : ACHIWIB AMERINDIAN VILLAGE -SOUTH SAVJJW.lillS RUPUNUNI Description and more fully described of area occupied: Situate on left bank Rupununi River in Order No.46 of 1964, as follo�ff:- "A tract of Crown Land situate on the left bank Rupununi River of an unnamed creek with the Miruwau comraencing at the confluence River two miles below Jeep Road Crossing, line northwards for two ciiles to the left bank of an unnamed creek on along the left bank of the right bank Miruwau River, thence upwards the unnamed creek to its source, thence on a line southwards to the Miruwau River thence on a line south westwards coIJI.1encement.
to the right bank of an unnamed creek to the point of f.rea 18 square miles 1t miles above Jeep Road Crossing, approximately".

and extending thence on a 2.

Persons Bishop -Permission 19124 - 1 acre.

or organisations to whon lands are alienated: Roman Catholic Population: 550.

Tribe: Wapishana.

5.

Institutions: Church and school (Roman Catholic).

in : -·,:-,.

Mission established 6.

Degree of coastal acculturation: Fairly low.

7.

Economy: Cattle, balata, subsistence farming.

8.


Local Govt: Captain and councillors.

9.

Special Features: 10.

Title requested: CoD!ilunal -vested in Captain and Council.

11.

Title recornnendad: Freehold vested in duly constituted Local Authority.

12.

Freedom.:?.

: Jul normal freedoms and permissions enjoyed by J:,.merindians.

13.
.Axea requested: A joint request with .Aishal ton, .Awariwaunau, Maruranau and Shea for the following area: Karaudanawa, and Takutu Rivers in a straight River (tributary line to the source of the Quitaro) then due east of north­ of the Kawarwau from thence in a straight "Frora the junction line to Hamid Mountain, of the Miliwau east to King George V Fall on the Essequibo along the source of the Essequibo Kassikaityu the Kassikaityu north-west course of the Takutu River to the junction of the Kawariwau Rivers".
to the source of the Takutu River, thence River to the junction of the Rivers, thence due west along the source of River to Serra Uossary and Essequibo Mountain, fron thence due and Takutu River, from thence due south due north along t.he 14. recommendat Commission's (13)to be excessive and and administer ions: The Commission considers the request at beyond the ability of the residents to develop the area.
The area recommended for Achiwib is as follows:- /The -78- 9 miles, thence River, River for The area commencing at the nouth of the Miruwau right bank Takutu River, thence up the Miruwau east across the Achiwib approximately to the source of an unna.I:J.ed creek, left bank Rupununi thence down the said unnamed creek to its mouth; thence up the Rupununi watershed eastern corner of cattle grazing thence west along the northern grazing Miliawau ent.
to the point of commencem permission River to its mouth, thence down the Takutu River Rivers to the north­ M.P.2/6/92; of the said cattle River thence down the of the Rupununi and Miliawau River to its source, thence west along the to the Miliawau permission boundary Mountain river, The area recomnended ed.

This extension lands for farming and grazing.
now .occupi adequate for freehold title is in excess of the area is necessary to provide with residents The Commission also rocomucnds Awariwaunau, Marurana.u, Shea and Achiwib of the following Aishalton, beneficial occupation purposes:- agricultural area for cattle grazing and should have that the communities of Karaudanawa, tho Wariwau River with fence, thence along the left bank of the Wariwau to the thence in an easterly direction River and its River, thence up tho left bank Kwitaro at the junction of The area corJ11encing the Wapishana River to its source, Kwitaro southernmost thence by the watershed Kuyuwini River to the source of the Totowau the recorru�ended and northern and Ji.ishalton Villages alone the fence to to tho Wapishana tributaries eantern to its source, thence to Bat Mountain, of the loft bank tributari es of the the point of commencement.. boundaries of Karaudanawa fence, thunco north River, thence by -79- DESCRIPTION OF COMMUNITIES �: KARAUDANAWJ� AMERINDIAN VILLAGE, SOUTH SAVli .. NNliliS RUPUNUNI 1.
Description of area occupied: Sitaate on right bank Rupununi River and more fully described in Order No.46 of 1964, as follows:- "A t:ract of Crown Land situate on the right bank of the Rupununi River and between Rivor about eight of Little Kubanaweu River commencing at the junction Rupununi River, thence up the right bank Rupununi miles to a point one mile above Katiwau River, thence along tho Katiwau and Rupununi watershed thence in a general north-easterly within the oain forests to the source of Maruwau the left bank Maruwau River to a point due south of source of Aruwau River, thence by a straight down left bank Aruwau River to the junction Aruwau River, thence south-west junction Kubanawau of approximately with Little Kubanawau River to the point of commencement River and thence down tho left bank an area Rivers for about sev0n miles, and about 4 niles line to source of Aruwau River, thence along the Wapisiana and containing River, thence down of Wapisiana direction 75 sq.
ols".

Fence to its fence and 2.

Persons Bishop: Permission No.19127 or organisations - 1 acre.

to wh,Q_m lands are alienated: Rollan Catholic 650.

Population: 4.

Tribe: Wapishana.

5.

Institutions: in 1929.

Church, school (Ronan Catholic).

Mission established 6.

Degree of coastal acculturation: Fairly low.

7.

Econo�: Cattle, balata, subsistence faming.

8.

Local Govt: Captain and councillor s. 9.

Special Features: D.C. 3 all weather airstrip.

Regular air service.

10.


Title requested: Cotniilunal -vested in Captain and Council.

11.

Title recor;unended: Freehold vested in duly constituted Local Authority.

12.

Frcedons: .

.All nornal freedoos and peroissions enjoyed by L.rnerindians.

13.

Area requested: Maruranau of Achiwib lunerindian and Awariwaunau.

Village.

A joint request with Aishalton, The area is fully described Shea, in Cage 13 Achiwib, 14. recoJ:1Dendations: Comnission's farms in the forest to the east of their village.
The Connission recomr.1ends of the eastern village for grazing.

The the farming areas, and to provide additional is as follows:- area recor:i.mended tho extension of this village The residents of the present to include boundary lands .
have their eastwe.rds of the Aruwau River at the junction fonco, thence up the Aruwau River to its to the source of an uru1wJed Creek, River, left Bank Kwitaro River, thence down creek to its uouth, thence up the Totawau The area connencing and the Wapishana source, thence left bank Totawau the said unnaned River to its source; thence westwards thence down the Rupununi up the Little Kubanawau north-east River to Little Kubanawau River to the Wapishana to the Rupununi along the fence to the point of c0DJ'1enceoent.
/The fence, thence River, River, thence .. so- The Commission also rccomoonds that the conmunities of ldshal ton, Shea, 1-i.chiwib, should have beneficial Kwitaro River to the south-east between Awariwauna.u described occupation and Aishalton.

by the of the area enclosed corner of Awariwaunau and the area This area is more fully Ma.rure.nau, Awariwauna.u and Karaudanawa in Cage 14 of Achiwib llillerindian Village.
�!­ DESCRIPTION OF COMMUNITIES �: AISHALTON .AMERINDIJ.N VILtJ ... GE -SOUTH SAVJJfNMIS RUPUNUNI l. Description River and more fully described of area occupied: Situate in Order No.46 of 1964, as follows:- on the right bank Rupununi "14 tract of Crown Land situate on the right bank Rupununi of the Aruwau River and the Wapisiana along the right bank l.ruwau River thence upwards at the junction River commencing Fence and extending to its source thence along a line southwards River thence upwards along tho right bank Maruwau thence in a north-easterly direction source of the Sidiwau Sidiwau River to its junction wards along the Wapisiana 130 square rail es approximately".
River thence downwards along the watershed to the along the left bank with the Wapisiana Fence thence south­ Fence to the point of cocmcncer.,ent.

Area to the right bank Maruwau River to its source Largest populated village in the Rupununi.

2.

Persons Bishop -Peroission or organisations 19125 - 1 acre.

to whor:1 lands are alienated_: Roman Catholic 3.

Population: 1,150.

4.

Tribe: Wapishana.

5.

Institutions: in 1945.

Church, school (Ronan Catholic).

Mission established 6.


Degree of coastal acculturation: Fairly advanced.

7.

Economy: Cattle, balata, subsistence farming.

a.

Local Govt: Captain and councillors.

9.

.§.pecial Features: District Field Officer and Agricultural Officers stationed growing of peanuts.

here.

All weather Regular air service.

D.C.3 airstrip.

Pilot project for 10.

Title reguostcd: Cooraunal -vested in Captain and Council.

11.

Title recommended: Freehold vested in duly consti tutud Local J.uthori ty.

12.
12.

Frecdons: ./ill noroal freGdons and permissions enjoyed by 1.merindians.

13.

.A:rea requested: Maruranau Achiwib Amerindian and Achiwib.

Village.

A joint request with Awariwaunau, Shea, Karaudanawa, The area is fully described in Cage 13 of 14. reconnendations: Connission's faros in the forest to the east of their village.

rocoooends the extension village for grazing.
The area recoru�cnded the farming areas and to provide is as follows:- The residents of tho eastern to include The Connission boundary of the present additional lands of this village have their fence, thence up the J�uwau River to its source, at the junction of the Aruweu River and to the source of an unnaoed Creek, loft bank left Bank Kwitaro River, thence down the said The area conmencing the Wapishana thence eastwards Totawau River, unna.I!led Creek to its nouth, thence down tho Totawau an unnamed tributary, to the source of tre Sidiwau to its junction fence to the point of coII1Dencement.
with the Wapishana left bank Totawau River, thence north-west River, thence down the Sidiwau fence, thence south along the River to River /The 82.

The Cont1ission also recommends Awariwau occupation nau, Karaudanawa of the area enclosed that the coranunities and 1:J.shalton of Shea, should by the Kwitaro River Maruranau, Achiwib, have beneficial to the south-east Awariwaunau Cage 14 of llchiwib and Aishalton.

anerindian Village.
anerindian Village.

corner of Awariwaunau and the area between This area is more fully described in DESCRIPTION 83.

OF COMMUNITIES � : AWARIWAUNJ,.U AMERINDI.AN VILUGE -SOUTH SAVANN.l..HS RUPUNUNI 1.
Description and more fully descFibed of area occupied: Situ.ate on right bank Rupununi River in Order No.46 of 1964 as follows:- "A tract of Crown Land situate on the right bank Rupununi River to its source thence in an easterly direction for of the Wariwau River and the thence upwards along the right bank Fence and extending River collll!lencing at the junction Wapisiana Wariwau }!- railes thence in a northerly Kuriwachiwau bank Kuriwachiwau downwards Wapisiana point of commencenent.
River (Calabash direction to the source of the Creek) thence westwards along the left River to its junction thence with the Katiwau River along the left bank Katiwau River to its junction with the Fence thence southwards along the Wapisiana Fence Area 26 square niles approxinately."

to the 2.

Persons or organisations to whon lands are alienated: Roman Catholic Bishop -Permission 19123 - 1 acre.

Population: 450 4.

Tribe: Wapishana 5.

Institutions: in 1929.

Church, school (Ronan Catholic).


Mission established 6.

Degree of coastal acculturation: Fairly low.

7.

Economy: Balata, cattle, subsistence farming.

a.

Local Govt: Captain and councill ors.

9.

Special Features: D.C.3 all weather airstrip.

10.

Title requested: Communal -vested in Captain and Council.

11.

Title reconrnended: Freehold vested in duly constituted Local Authority.

12.

Freedoms: All noroal freedons and permissions enjoyed by f.nerindians.

13.
13.

.A:rea requested: Maruranau Lchiwib Anerindian Village.

A joint request with Ai.shalton, and Shea.

The area is fully described Achiwib, Karaudanawa, in Cage 13 of 14.

Comoission's recomr.lendations: farms in the forest to the east of their village.

recornnende.

boundary the extension of tho eastern village to include for grazing.

The area reco!
The area reco!

!lnendcd the farming areas and to provide The residents is as follows:- The Comnission of the present lands additional of this village have their River and at the junction of the Katiwau River, thence up the Kuriwachiwau The area commencing the Wapishana fence, thence up the Katiwau wachiwau source thence eastwards to the Kwitaro Kwitar; thence westwards to the source of the Wariwau River to its junction with the Wapishana.
along the fence to the point of commencement, from the mouth of the said unnamed Creek River, thence down the Wariwau River to an unnamed Creek, left bank Kwitaro River to Kuri­ River to its river, thence up the fence, thence north River, /The -84- The CoillI:lission also recomnends that the Communities 1 .. chiwib, Karaudana.wa, .Aishal ton, Shea, should have benefici River ta tho south-east Awa.riwauna.u Cage 14 of Achiwib Amerindian Maruranau of the area enclosed corner of Awariwaunau al,occupation ton.
This Villa.go.
and /dshal area is more fully described and the area between and .Awariwau.nau by the Kwitaro of in -85- DESCRIP.rION OF COMMUNITIES Nl:.ME: MARURANAU .AMERINDIJ�N RUPUNUNI VILLJ .. GE -SOUTH Sl.VANN.AHS l. D3scription and more fully described of area occupied: Situate on right bank Rupununi River in Ord.er No.46 of 1964 as follo�at- on the right bank Rupununi River River and the Wapisiana at the junction i, .A tract of Crown Land situate of the Katiwau cocmencing Fence and extending to tho mouth of the Kuriwachiwau bank Kuriwachiwau thence on a line northwards to the junction of the Marurawau thence southwards along the Wapisiana .Area 32 square miles approximately".
thence upwards along the right bank Katiwau River River to its source thence eastwards for 6-f miles thence westwards along the right for lf miles for 5 miles River thence upwards River and the Wapisiana Fence and Fence to the point of conmencement • 2. :Persons or organisations to whom lands are alienated: Rooan Catholic Bishop -Permission No.19122 - 1 acre.

: 550 Population Tribe: Wapishana 5.

Institutions: 1929.

Church, school (Ronan Catholic).

Mission established in 6.


Degree of coastal acculturatio..s,: Fairly low.

7.

Economy: Cattle, balata, subsistence farming.

8.

Local Govt: Captain and councillors.

9.

Special Features: D.C.3 all weather airstrip.

10.�itle re9uested: Communal -vested in Captain and Council.

11.Title recomt1ended: Freehold vested in duly constituted Local Authority.

12.Freedoms: All normal freedoms and permissions enjoyed by Jimorindians.
13.A:rea re9uested: Karaudanawa, 13 of Achiwib A joint request Shea and .Achiwib.

Amerindian Village.

with .Aishalton, Awariwaunau, The area is fully described in Cage 14.Commission's recommendations: The residents of this village have their farms in the forest to the east of their village.

The CoI!lmission .recomr.iends to include ·"' grazing.
the extension the farming areas and to provide is as follows:- The area recommended of the present village of the eastern additional boundary lands for at tho mouth of the Tenemaru thence up the Tonemaru Creek, left Creek to its source, to the junction of the Maruranau River and the fence, thence south along the fence to its junction The area colTll:lencing bank Kwitaro Rivor, thence westwards Wapishana with the Katiwau River, thence up the Kuriwachiwau to the Kwitaro eastwards to tho point of comnencement.
River to its sourc�, thence River, thence down the Kwitaro River River, thence up the Katiwau River to Kuriwachiwau /The -86- The Commission also recomr:iends that the colllI!luni ties of Karaudanawa, Awariwaunau, have beneficial occupation to the south-east l�wariwaunau Cage 14 of Achiwib .Amerindian .Aishalton, of the area enclosed corner of Awariwaunau Shea, Achiwib and Maruranau by tho Kwita.ro River between and .M.shal ton.

This area is nore fully described and the.area Village.
in should -87- DESCRIPTION O F COMMUNITIES NilME: SHEA AMERINDIJl.N VILLliGE - SOUTH SAVANNJJIS RUPUNUNI 1.

Description of area occupied: Situate River -Kwitaro River -Rupununi Order No.46 of 1964 as follows:- at the source of Kwnakowri River and more fully described in "A tract of Crown Land situate on the right bank Rupununi River at the junction commencing Fence and extending northwards along for 4-i miles to the junction Wapisiana point of commenceraont.
Fence thence southwards of the Marurawau thence along a line eastwards River and the Wapisiana for 5 miles thence along a line westwards a line for 4 miles thence of tho Katuriruwau River and the along tho Wapisiana Fence to the Area 30 square miles approximately".

2.

Persons or organisations Bishop -Permission 19121 - l acre.

to whom lands are alienated: Roman Catholic Population: 400 Tribe: Wapishana.

5.

Institutions: est�blished in 1953.

Church and school (Roman Catholic).

Mission 6.


Degree of coastal acculturation: Fairly low.

Economy: Cattle, balata, subsistence farming.

8.

Local Govt: Captain and councillors.

9.

Special Features: Shea Rock -natural attraction.

10.

Title requested: Communal -vested in Captain and Council.

11.

Title recommended: Freehold vested in duly constituted Local Authority.

12.

Freedoms: .All normal freedoms and permission s enjoyed by .Amerindians.
13. gea requested: Maruranau Achiwib .limerindian and Achiwib.

Village.

A joint request with .tdshal ton, Awariwaunau, Karaudanaw a, The area is fully described in Cage 13 of 14. recorunendations: C otlI!lission's fa.ms in the forest to the east of their village.

Tho Cor.u:iissi.

on recomnends village to include for grazing.


The area recommended the farming areas and to provide is as follows:- the extension The residents of the eastern boundary of the present lands additional of this village have their at the junction The area col!IL1encing River of the Kataliriwau and the Wapishana fence, thence north to Kalishadaker Mountain; thence eastwards Kwitaro thence up tho Tenemaru Creek to its source, junction north along tho fence to the point of commencement.
to the mouth of the Makwiari River, left bank River, thence up Kwitaro River to the fence, thence of the Maruranau to Tenomaru Cree]f:, thence westwards the Wapishana River and /The -88- The Commission further recolllillenda that the communities /�wariwaunau, Karaudanawa, should have beneficial Kwitaro Rivor to tho between doscribod south-east Awa.riwaunau and Aishalton.
occupation Aishal of the area enclosed corner of AwariwaUJ;la.u This area is more fully by the and the area in Cage 14 of Achiwib 1..merindian Village.

ton, Shea, Achiwib of and Maruranau -89- DESCRIPTIOlLOF COMMUNITIES .

!il!

!m: SAND CREEK J..MERINDilili VILLAGE -SOUTH SAV.t .. NN.AHS RUPUNUNI 1.
Descript ion of area occupied: Situate on the right bank Rupununi ·River about 60 miles by road from Lathem and more fully described Order No.46 of 1964:- in River, or Sand mouth River nnd extending o� Sand River, thence or Sand River with the Rupununi along the right bank of the Katiwau Creek a tributary on the right ba..'lk of the 11 120 feet below the on the right bank Rupununi 11• at Iron Paal "D.L.M.
of the at the confluence "A tract of Crown Land situate commencing Katiwau thence upwards River to a paal branded "E.A.H.

of the Saboruwa Katiwau paal branded thence N. 89 ° (true) 2470 feet, thence N. 63 N.58°501E.

(true) ° 30' E. (true) 5220 feet, thence N. 3° 30' E. thence N. 23 (true) 2850 feet, thence down the left bank of the Turukwa Creek to a paal branded"E.li.H.

up the right bank of the Rupununi commencet1.ent.

"E • .A.H.
"E • .A.H.

° 20' E. (true) 6105 feet, thence N. 77° 50' E. N.4°20' E. (true) 230 feet to a 11 thence N.87° 20' E. (true) 3908 feet, 20' E. (true) 4485 feet, thence E. (true) 13,700 feet, Area 28 square miles approximately.

5148 feet, thence N. 45° River to the point of " 11 ·30 feet from its mouth, thence Second largest populated village in the Rupununi.

2.

Persons.

or organisations No.19128 Bishop.

Permission - 1 acre.

to whom lands are alienat�: Roman Catholic 3.

Population: 850 4.
Population: 850 4.

Tribe: Wapisha.na.

5. school (R.C.

), Church, Institutions: Coop.

Shop.

Mission established in 1918.

Home Econonics Departnent, 6.

Degree of coastal.

acculturation: Fairly advanced.

Economy: Cattle, balata, subsistence farming.

8.

Local Govt: Captain and Councillors.

9.

§Facial Features: plane airstrip.

Dry weather D.C.3 airstrip.

All weather light Supply centre for teachers and nurses.

10.Title requested: Communal -vested in Captain and Council.
11.Title recommended: Freehold vested in duly constituted Local Authority.

12.Freedoms: .ill normal freedoms and permissions enjoyed by Jimerindians.
13.Area requested: Shulinab, Potarinau and Sand Creek villages:- The following is a joint request from the Captains of "We the undersigned do respectf of Sand Creek, Macushi ully ask that the Village, around the villages indicated on the attached to the source of the Dowbarwau North East to the Rupununi River to a point above Wichabai to South along the Rupununi, • the Northward as map i.e.
from Machid falls on the Takutu past Dowbarwau to side of the road above Shea Village and across eastwards and Potarinau areas extending /to -90- to the Illiwa or Rewa River Basin to the north of the Kunak:owarie River across west to the Maparri River, onto River north to Pabawau the Rupununi River southward legally handed over to us and our heirs".

along the· Tak:utu to Machid pau falls be duly and River s.w.

diagonally to the mouth of the Sawariwau 14.


Cocmission's recommendations thought it advisable that separate entity.
freehold : Due to its location, Sand Creek Village should romain as a recommends the It therofore title:- following area for the CoI:llilission The area comnencing at the mouth of the Katiwau River, Right Bank Rupununi River to Quassiwau app:t:o:d.mately source, ,north unnamed tributary right bank Rupununi said unnamed tributary to its mouth, thence up the Rupununi River to the point of coI!l.menoenent.
River, thence up the Quassiwau River, thence up the Katiwau River, thence down the River to its the.nee or Sand an 3 niles to the source of or Sand To ease overstocking of the present boundaries area north of the Quassiwau a line from Wara.our Mountain Rupununi Development Company of the Sand Creek grazing areas the the to include have been extended District grazing River.· areas north of .Additional to the Wapishana fence now held by the could be made available, if requested.
-91- DESCRIPTION OF COMMUNITIES / Nii.ME: SAW.AR!WJ:..U VILLAGE -SOUTH SAVANN.lill.S RUPUNUNI 1. of area occupied: Description Sawariwau of Dadanawa.

Village in area held by Rupununi Development River, right bank Takutu River about 14 miles south-west was at Pilanawa, in 1928. for cattle grazing.

Undeclared Village situate relocated Original on r.i,eht bank Company village 2.

Persons or organisations Bishop -Permission 19126 Population: 450 3. to whom lands are alienated: Roman Catholic - 1 acre.

4.
4.

Tribe: Wapishana 5.

Institutions: Mission established in 1918.

Church and school (Roman Catholic) -Mission.House.

6.

Degree of coastal acculturation: Fairly low.

7.

Economy: Labour, cattle, subsistence faming.

a.

Local Govt: Captain and councillors.

9.

Special to the receding Features: The future of this village is problematical owing farming areas, but residents prefer to remain there.

10.

Title re9uested: Communal -vested in Captain and Council.

11.
11.

Title recomnended: Freehold vested in duly constituted Local Authority.

12.

Freedoms: .All normal freedoms and permissions enjoyed by .lmerindians.

13.

"The area bounded River on the Rupununi, t,;rea requested: the mouth of the Kawariwau Manawarwau the mouth of the 1...rakwai River, thence by the Sawariwau the Sawariwau the Burrowau River, thence River, thence by the Takutu River going of the Kawariwau river".
by a straight on tho south by a straight line from River going east to the mouth of the River, thence by a straight line due thence by the Rupununi River up to west to mouth of River up.

to the line due west to the Takutu back south up to the mouth 14.

The request at 13 above is excessive..It is recotnL1endations: Commission's beyond the ability The area recommended residents The Commission future needs.
The area recotlI!lended of the residents considers includes to develop the Catunarib this area to be adequate for present therefore is as follows:- and have their farms and also includes provision for grazing.

and adoinist.er the area.

on which bush islands The area commencing at the mouth of an unnamed Creek, left bank Rupununi River opposite up the said unnamed creek Sawariwau up the Sawariwau Piniet Mountain, River thcnco down Makoudit Rupumm.t River to tho point of connencement.
thence the oouth of the J...rakwai River, to its source, therice westwards to the the mouth of the Burawau thence southwards by north across Kuraid Hill to Makoudit River to its mouth, thence down the River to its source, thence east River opposite River, thence to -92- DESCRIPTION OF COMMUNITIES NA)ME: POT!.R!Nf.,U (1'.MBROSE)VILLJ..GE -SOUTH SAVANNJJIS RUPUNUNI l. Description of area occupied: Situate River on left bank Sawariwau about 35 miles by road from Lethem.

2.
2.

Persons or organisations to whop lands are alienated: Roman Catholic Bishop -Permission 19272 - 5 acres.

Population: Approximately 550.

Tribe: Wapishana.

5.

Institutions: in 1918.

Church and School (Roman Catholic).

Mission established 6.

Fairly advanced, Degree of coastal acculturati,Q,n: were necessary particularly for the older people.

but interpreter s Cattle, Economy: Local Govt: Captain and balata, subsistence farming.

Councillors.

a.

9.


Special Features: Development Village is situate Co. for Cattle Grazing.

within area held by Rupununi 10.

Title requested: Coomunal -vested in Captain and council.

11.

Title recommended: Authori �oe of Potarina.u and Shulinab.

Freehold -vested in duly constituted Local 12.


Freodoms: All normal freedoms and pemissions enjoyed by 1'JI1erindians, · 13.!i£ea requested: of the Shulinab, The following Potarinau and Sand Creek Villages:- is a joint request from the Captains "We the undersigned do respectfully as map i.e.
from Machid falls on the Takutu to ask that the areas extending Village, and Potarinau on the attached around the villages of Sand Creek, Macushi indicated the source of the Dowbarwau point above Wichabai the Northward eastwards KUI:1akownrie River, onto the Rupununi Sawariwau and legally to the Illiwa or River north handed over to us and our heirs".
River southward North East to the Rupununi River to a to South along the Rupununi, past Dowbarwau to side of the road above Shea Village and across Rewa River Basin to tho north of the River across west to Pabawau River s.w.

diagonally to the mouth of the along the Takutu to Machid pau falls be duly to the Maparri 14.

§oL'IIlission's thought it advisable entity.


separate recommendations: Duo to its location the Commission that Sand Creek Village should remain as a The Commission which are aroa which is considered recommends near to each other of Potarinau and.

that the villages should own jointly, the needs and adequate for present Shulinab, following future development.
/The -93- of cattle grazing permission ern corner of Cattle No.90, right bank Takutu River,at the mouth River, thence east along the southern boundary boundary The aroa commencing at the south-west Grazing Permission of Sawariwau and north along the eastern to a tributary ·No.90 down the said tributary to its source, Rupununi source thence south-west Kutauwau and its continuatioh River, thence down Kanerwau Takutu River to the point of commencOL1ent.
left bank thence south to an unnamed tributary, to its River, thence up the said unnamed tributary to a point east of the mouth of River thence west to the mouth of the Kutauwau River to the Kanerwau River, right bank Takutu on the right bank Saurab River, thence to its mouth, thence up the Saurab River River to its mouth; thence down -94- M.(+CUSI COMMUNITIES .

(l) .

.

231.

The Macusi, location of Carib stock, probably arrived at their in Guyana towards the end of the 18th century present (Hills).
Part of the tribe still liv.os constant movement across the border.

There are pockets of Macusi in the northernPakaraima They are accepted country.

by the Patamona.

as refugees.

in what is considered in,Brazil Mountains and.

there is Patamona.

232.The main concentration of the tribe is·· around the fringe of tho Rupununi District where the institutions forged the people into village communities.

the north savannahs of of Church and School have No villages are to be found in mid-savannah.
north on the western the Echilebar and near Orinduik.

River with pockets further side of the Pakaraima Mountains Tribal occupation extends to Taruka from Karasabai at Monkey Mountain, 233.People tended to settle around the Jesuit Mission established in 1909 just a mile or so fron the Govornmont Station at St. Ignatius at Lothem which was established to tho station proximity during the 1940's.
Due to their but this was so they enjoyed a cash econony fluctuating as to �ausc sono .population communities of Kumu, Moco Moco, Nappi and Parishara which are to the farther oovooen� fron st. Ignatius north.

for the 234.The Anglican Church has for a long time catered Toka, Massara, and Yakarinta needs of the people of Yupukari, spiritual .t..nnai in tho North Savannahs, to the Macusi in tho Pakaraima while tho Rol!lan Catholic Church ministers areas.
The Unevangelisod Fields Mission has recently established itself at Parishara.

235.During the days when the Rupununi Cattle Trail was used a and number of coastal people nade their way to the Rupununi were given lands in the 1..nnai and Lethem areas.

Sono of these people are still to be found in the .liranaputa Valley and at Moco Moco.

Thero is a concentration people at LetheI:1 more or less engaged in of coastal district the public services.

non-Amerindian ranchers.


Most of the savannah grazing land has been let to 236.The District Commissioner supported Government by Field Officers Agricultural ' at Lathem, is stationed at Lcthem and he is !..nnai and Karasabai.

a mile or A and Livestock Station is situated 1� turo.

l�ricul Notes on Amerindian Project -Series No.9.

(1)Hills, T.L.

-Etnographic McGill University Savanna Research -95- so south of the village of st. Ignatius and holds under grazing permission the.
savannah area between Mountains, their land.

an area which the people the Takutu River the Kanuk:u of St. Ignatius consider to be A dirt road, unusable in the wet season, villages to Lethem with the exception of Yakarinta connects all the (on the right bank River) and Karasabai and settlements Rupununi connect Karasabai services Kara.nambo and Lethem.

with the savannah are run by the Guyana Airways north of it.

A road to Regular air is under construction.


Annai, Corp. to Karasabai, 238.Balata bleeding is the major form of industry aoong the area, at /ulllai and to a limited extent in the Kanuku Amerindian Tobacco is grown and sold to a non-Aoerindian Macusi.

Cattle are reared in the Karasabai-Echilebar and Yakarinta District.

for processing market.

A labour market, apart from the limited and the fluctuating for the rancher rancher and corn is produced opportunities and shipping, at Lethem, is non-existent.
at .l).ranaputa requirements 239.Rutherford( 2)maintains that in the foothills of the northern slopes of the Kanuku Mountains pel'I:lanent soils could sustain alluvial from the Rupununi River to Kumu the cultivation if sound cropping nanagement is practised.

Useful soils are also to be fo\1nd Annai and Surama.
Elsewhere, area between they are poor, or rocky or too steep for anything Pakarail:las, except in patches in the in the but hoe part -.t..nnai, Massara, Yakarinta.­ The people in the northern culture.

have their farr:is as much as a week's paddle away up the rivers and these are secondary fishing Shulinab, Wapishana as well as subsistence at the northern fari:is in the Kanuk:u foothills places in tho dry season for hunting crops.
The Macusi village virtually country, limit of the south savanna.ha in purposes dwelling and of and river valleys.

240.With the population of the tribe now well over 5,000 the people will have to adopt more sound agricultural practices diminishing game and fish in the area.

both for economic purposes and to compensate for the and aninal husbandry (2)Rutherford, G.K. -Some li.spects of Rupununi Soils.

McGill University Savanna Research Project.


/The -96- 241.The following is the list of communities in respect of which "Specific Recommendations" have been made:- Shulinab st. Ignatius Moco-Moco Nappi, Pari�hara� Yupukari Massara .llllna.i Toka Yakarinta Aranaputa Karasabai Taruka Ka.napang Itabac.
-97- ��IPTION OF COMMUNITIES �: SIIDLINJJ3 VILLAGE (M.ACUSI VILLi'..GE) INCLUDING MARIWl1U, SOUTH SLV ANNJ,.HS RUPUNUNI l. Description Kanuku Mountains of area occupied: Situate between the Sawariwau River and on.

the main road about 30 miles south of Le them.

2.

Persons or ����ations to wpo]l lands are alienated: Bishop.

Pernission -1· acre.

l!o.19120 Roman Catholic 3.

Populati on: About 450 (McGill University).

4.

Tri be : Macus:J.

5.

Institutions: in 1948.


School and Church (Ronan Catholic).Mission established 6.

Degree of CQ��9l!-lturatio.n: Fairly low.

7.

Econor:iy: Cattle, balata, subsistence agricultu re.

8.

Local Govt: Captain and Councillors.

Special Association is amicable.

Feature_�: !.

Macusi Village in a predominantly Wapishana area.

10.

Title requested: Cornnunal -vest�d in Captain and Council.

11.

Title recof!lflende.,a t.:.

:--s Authori : Freehold o: F:::��2::'..r_.


::..u -vested· and Shulinab.

Local in duly constituted 12.

Freedoos: All noroal freedoos �d permissions enjoyed by Ar:ler�ndians.

13.

Area regu�stgsl: the Shulinab, Potarinau and Sand Creek Villages:- The following is a joint request from the Captains of "We the ur.du 3ignod do ·respectfully ask that the areas extending of S.and Creek, Macushi Village, a,nd Potarin�u as .

nap i.e.
nap i.e.

from Machid falls on the Takutu · around the villages indicated on the attached to the source_of-thc point above Wichabai_ Northward side, of .the road above Shea Village Dowbarwau to South along the Rupununi, North East to the Rupununi River to a to the north of the Kumakowarie and-across to the past .Dowbarwau to eastwards River ·the Illh1a or ReHa River Basin north to Pabawau River acrosswest to the Maparri Rupununi southward handed over to us and our "heir(,".

.

River _s.w.
.

River _s.w.

d�agonnlly --,•;d ·- .

.

along tho Takutu to Machid pau falls be duly and· legally River to the mouth of the Sawariwau River, onto the 14.

Commission's recompen�ations: thought separate it advisable that Sand entity.

Due to its location, Creek Village should rer,1ain the Commission as a The Cooraission Shulinab which considered adequate and an area are near to each other should own, jointly, needs and future devclopoent.
that the villages {or their present of Potarinau recoomends The detailed description of the area is at Cage 14 of Potarinau Village.

-98- DESCRIPTION OF COMMUNITIES �: ST. IGNAT IUS -KUMU VILLAGE -CENTRAL SAVANN/JIS RUPUNUNI 1. of area occupied: Description Lethem, south of the Maco Maco River and east of the Takutu River.

to the The village extends from the Maco Maco River southwards Kuari River and from the Kanuku Mountains approximately to the Takutu River.

Situate 1 mile south of 2.


Persons or organisations Agriculture Grazing Absolute Grant No.7294 -25 acres.

to whom lands are alienated: of No.4 -34.2 sq.

miles, Cattle, M.P.

917/48 -25 sq.

miles.

Roman Catholic Cattle Grazing Permission Pernission Department Bishop - 3.

Population: 600 4.

'T'ribe: Predominantly Macusi.

5.

Institutions: Secondary Station.

Mission Church (Ronan Catholic) -Schools to Secondary and -Primary School, Livestock (Govt.)

-Hostel attached established in 1909.

6.


Degree of coastal acculturation: necessary.

Fairly advanced.

Interpreter was.

7.

·s.

Econony: Labour, agriculture - nainly s ubsistence.

Local Govt: Captain and councillors.

9.

Features: Special surrounded and entirely to have a Secondary School.

Village built up around the Mission is situated by alienated lands.

First Amerindian on Village 10.

Title requested: Communal -vested in Captain and Council.

11.
11.

Title recommen ded: Freehold vested in duly constituted Local Authority.

12.

Freedoms: .All normal freedoms and permissions enjoyed by Amerindians.

13, Area reguested: No request received.

The CoI!lI!lission recor.u;iendations: Commission's should be done to provide this village If the Ministry of to reactivate Grazing occupation.
The areas reconmended .flericulture and Natural Livestock Station, should be given to the village the St. Ignatius Permissions are as follows:- with adequate Resources lands for grazing.

does not propose then their Cattle for beneficial recoI!lmends that everything Homestea ds: The area commencing at the mouth of the Moco Maco River, right bank Takutu River, thence up the Maco 3 niles, thence south-west to the Kunu Creek, thence down the Kumu.Creek River to the point of comuencement, alienated lands.
to its oouth, thence down the Takµtu save and except all Maco River /Farr.ilands -99- Farmlands: at the junction of the Saurab River on its right bank about 5 mile·s above The area co:rnr1encing and a tributary River, thence up the Saurab River to its Shullinab source, thence between the west along the watershed Saurab and Moco Moco Rivers to the source of.
a tributary on the left bank Moco Moco River, thence down the said of cattle grazing tributary per�ission thence south-west and south along the eastern boundaries Permission 'the Saurab River, thence down the said tributary to the point of comraence�ent.

to the eastern boundary No.


M.P.917/48, No.116, No.M.P.917/48, 116 and 90 .to the trib4tary.of of Cattle Grazing -100- DESCRIPTION OF C�MMUNITIES NJiME: MOCO MOCO VILL1l.GE -CENTRJJ, SAVANNAHS RUPUNUNI l. of area occupied: Description bank Takutu River about 19 miles above Ireng Mouth.

Village 9 miles from Lethem.

Occupied occupy area along the Moco_ Moco River.

by .f\merindians.

Coastal Situate on the Moco Moco River, right settlers is about 2.
Persons or organisations Bishop -Cattle Grazing Pernission No.20144 - l acre • .Alloted agricultural to whom lands are alienate�: No.14094 -t sq.

mile.

Permission Roman Catholic lands held by coastlanders.

3.

Population: About 200.

4.

Tribe: Macusi 5.

Institutions: in 1959.

Church and school (Roman Cath0lic).

Mission established 6.

Degree of coastal Portuguese were necessary .

acculturation: Fair degree.

Residents speak and very little English.

The services of an interpretrr 7.


Economy: Balata, farming.

subsistence 8.

Local Govt: Captain and Councillors.

9.

Features: The Moco Moco Settlement Special title.

falls within the area recommended for freehold Scheme for coastlanders 10.

Title requested: Cor:munal -vested, in Captain and Council.

ll.

Title recommended: Freehold vested in duly constituted Local �uthority.

12.

Freedoms: All noroal freedoms and permissions enjoyed by 1.merindians.

13.

Area reguested: No request received.

14.


Commission's their present and development needs.

recorrlI'.lendation: The area reconmended necessary and is considered occupation is in excess of for subsistence Having had the assurance Church would be willing to No.14094 for use by l.i!

!lerindians, area of land within that recommended recornnended surrender is as follows:- froo the Bishop of Georgetown that the its Cattle Grazing Permission the Connission for freehold has included this title.
The area corner of Cattle Grazing miles east of the mouth of Moco of c�G.

LEASS Kanuku The area cotlllencing at the north-eastern Permission No.4 approximately 7 Moco River thence east along the southern boundary No.

A5380-and the southern boundary .Ar!lerin!lian District to its source, thence along to �he saurce of a tributary ther1':!e down.the said tributary grazing permission eastern to the point of commencement, save and except the area embraced by the Moco Moco Settlement boundary No.
M.P.917.48, thence northwards to the Nappi River, thence up the Nappi River on the left bank Moco Moco River, permissions M.P.917/48 and No.4 of cattle grazing of the existing the watershed to the eastern boundary of cattle along the Scheme.

of the Moco Moco River ... 101 ....
DESCRIPTION OF COMMUNITIES �: PARISHARA, NAl;'PI, N.Af'PI CREEK, HAIOWA - NORTH SAVANNAHS RUPUNUNI 1. of area occupied: Description the Kanuku .Amerindian described District, in Order No.59 of 1953 as follows:- All villages mentioned are situate within west of the Nappi Rivor and more fully River, of the extremity "A tract of Crown Land situate on the left bank Rupununi boundary Permission at the eastern River to the foot of along the foot of Kanuku Mountains View as Mountain extend thence westwards River commencing No.174 and its boundaries along the left bank Rupununi of a tract of 50 square miles known left bank Essequibo southern Ranch held under Grazing thence upwards Kanuku Mountains to the south-eastern corner of the tract of under Permission 13723, thence northwards of the tracts held under Grazing the north-eastern Grazing of the tract held under Grazing Nappi River, thence up the right bank Nappi River to the western extremity boundary Permission No.174, thence due East along the said southern of Grazing Permission 174 to the starting point.
miles approxir:iately."

Nos.

13723, 189 and 41 to of 50 square miles held under corner of the tract No.85 to the right bank 42.2 square miles held along the eastern of the southern of the tract held under Grazing No.41, thence due East along the southern boundary Pernissions Area 220 square Permission Permission boundary boundaries The largest concentration of population at Nappi.

2. or organisations Persons Fields Mission -Parishara.

Pernission No.19228 - 1 acre.


to whom lands are alienatQSi: Unevangelised Ronan Catholic Bishop -Nappi; 3.

Population: About 500.

4.

Tribe: Macusi.

5.

Institutions: Mission); established in 1956.

Parishara -School and Church Nappi -School and Church (Roman Catholic), Mission Fields (Unevangelised 6.

Degree of coastal acculturation: Fair degree.

,.

s. Economy: Cattle, tobacco, balata, subsistence agriculture.

Local Govt: Captain and 4 councillors.

9.


Special Features: Claims to permanent settlement over a number of years.

10.

Title requested: Communal -vested in Captain and Council, 11.

Title recommended: Fr'eehold vested in duly constituted Local Authority.

12.

Freedoms: All normal freedoms and perr:iissions enjoyed by .Amerindians.

13.

"The present Area requested: miles, with an additional Kanuku Amerindian area of 30 sq.

miles".

District -220 sq.


14, The Corunission recoomendations: Commission's at 13 above to be excessive.

The soils in the Kanuku Mountain are fertile for subsistence recommends that residents, beneficial also needs and future developnent.
The Comoission through their Council, of the rer:iaining area of the existing and the area recommended should have Kanuku is considered occupation considers the request as being adequate area /Anerindia.n -102- Amerindian cattle grazing District, cast of the Nappi River for agricultural and purposes, subject to review after a period of 10 years.
The area rccoomended is as follows:- th0 north-western corner of the existing about 9 miles east of� point The area commencing at declared Kanuku .Ar:lerindian District about 1 mile below the mouth of Nappi River, thence up the Nappi River to the southern boundary of the District, District, to the point of coomencement.
thence west along the southern boundary thence north along the western of the of the District Manari River, thence east to the boundary -10'.3- DESCRIPTION OF COMMUNITIES �: YUPUKARI VILLAGE - INCLUDING KUROTOKA, RUPUNUNI NORTH SAVANN.AHS l. of area occupied: D escription 118 miles up.

Long established Rupununi No.

39. boat service.

Village.

on left bank Rupununi Situate village.


Teroinus for Essequibo/ is within Cattle Grazing Perr.iission River Persons or organisations Trustees of the Church in the Diocese 2.5 acres.

Cattle GrazinK Permission Grazing Permission No.192 -50 sq.

miles.

to whoo lands are alienate�: of Guyana; Grant No.6621 - No.39 -50 sq.

miles.

Cattle Incorporated 3.

Population: 500 4.

Tribe: Macusi.

5.

Institutions: Church and School (Anglican).

6.

Degree of coastal acculturation: nec�ssary.


Fairly advanced.

Interpreter was 7.

Econooy: Cattle, balata, subsistence farming.

8.

Local Govt: Captain and councillors.

9.

Special Features: Light aircraft airstrip.

10.

Title requested: Connunal vested in Captein and Council.

11.

Title recorJmended: Freehold vested in duly consti tutcd Local Authority.

12.

Freedoms: All nornal freedoms and permissions enjoyed by li.rierindians.

13.

Area requested: No request received.

14.


Having had the assurance to· of the West Indies that the Church would be willing its two Cattle Grazing Commission's recommendation�: Archbishop surrender by Amerindians, the Commission existing Incorporated awarded to the village.

The area recommended the No.39 held by the of Gu7ana be Trustees of the Church in the Diocese of Cattle Grazing is as follows:- recommends Pormissio�s Permission boundaries fron the Nos.
39 and 192 for use that the area within at a point 320 ft. south from the Indian The area comraencing Path at Yupukari Landing, thence west 7 miles, thence north 3.5 miles, thence east 14.35 miles thence south 3.5 miles, thence west 7.5 miles to the ste.rting point, and being on both River.

banks of the Rupununi The Commission also recommends that the communities of Massara, 1'..nnai, Yakarinta, lands east of the Rupununi purposes.
Toka and Yupukari River for cattle grazing and agricultural should share, communally, -104-.

DESCRIPTION OF COMMUNITIES �: Mil.SSJ\RA VILLAGE -NORTH Sli.VANNJJIS RUPUNUNI.

1. of area occupied: Description of Yakarinta; bounded Benoni River, west by Cattle Grazing Cattle Grazing Permission on the east by the Rupununi Peroission 237.

Virtually 238; north by an island in the wet season.

Situate about 3f miles south-west River, south by the 2.

Persons Trustees 10 acres.


or organisations to whom lands are alienat�: Incorporated of the Church in the Diocese of Guyana.

Grant �o.8843 - 3.

Population: 200 4.

Tribe: Macusi.

Institutions: Church and school (li.nglican).

6.

Degree of coastal acculturation: necessary.

Fair degree.

Interpreter was 7.

Econooy: Balata, cattle, labour, subsistence agriculture.

8.

Local Govt: Captain and councillors.

9.


Special which are situate Features: Residents spend part of the year on their farr:is as far as the head of the Siooni Creek.

10.

Title requested: Cono.unal -vested in Captain and Council.

11.

Title reconnended: Freehold vested in duly constituted Local Authority.

12.

Freedons: All noroal freedons and pernissions enjoyed by Amerindians.

13.

Ji:rca reguested: Yakarinta back to Rewa-Kwitaro".


of J.nnai, Toka, and · for "an area as far as Mapari over the Benoni River and with residents Joint request 14, 1 s recoor11endations: The Commission considers the request at C0IJ0ission 13 above to be excessive develop season.

The area reconnended needs and future developuent.
recomnended:- and ad.oinister.. and beyond the ability of the residents to This village floods in the wet is therefore The following ce area is therefore for subsisten necessary Peruission at the nouth of the Benoni River, left bank River, thence up the Bcmoni River to the lower boundary 238, thence north along the eastern peruissio The area cot'.ll'lencing Rupununi of Cattle Grazing boundaries the south-w'est corner of cattle grazing permission 237, thence cast along the southern of cattle grazing perr.iisiion 237 to the Rupununi point of cor:JL1encenent.
River, thence up the Rupununi n 238 and Toka Village to of cattle grazing boundary River to the The Comnission also recom�ends Massara, Toka and Yupukari that the comnunities of should share, coI,'.

)I!lunally, River for cattle grazing and agriciµtural Annai, Yakarinta, lands east of the Rupununi purposes.

·-105,,,, DESCRIPTION OF COMMUNITIES �: ANN.AI VILLAGE INCLUDIN G WOWETTA, Q.UATAMNY, RUPERTIE AND SURJJvlA NORTH SAVANNJJIS RUPUNUNI 1.
Description of J¥'Oa occupied: about 63 niles up and nore fully described as follows:- Situate on left bank Rupununi in Order No.96 of 1963 River "A tract of Crown Land situate cim the left bank Rupununi River frora a point 2,000 feet below the mouth of Pamboura Creek, thence due north about 4 miles, thence due east about thence due north cotll:lencing and extending 2 miles to the south-west corner of L.nnai about 8 miles to tho right bank Tara.mu Creek, thence in a south­ easterly Creek, thence down along the right bank of the Mauri Creek to its River to the mouth, tbence up a:ong the left bank of the Rupununi 71 square nil es".
starting about 7t miles to the headwaters an area of approxinately point, containing Airstrip, direction of the Mauri Surana is not within the boundaries of this declared village.

2.

Persons or orgax1isations Trustees of the Church in the Diocese of Guyana.

Grant No.6602 - 10 acres.

1.irstrip to whon lands are alienated: and environs.

Incorporated 3.

Population: 600 approxinatelyo 4.

Tribe: Macusi, Arawak.

5.


Institutions: Church and school (11.nglican), District Admir.ist:.·,_,:i.ion, Pol:.co Station.

nistrict Field Officer, 6.

Degree of coastal accul tgfation: Fairly advanced.

7.

Econony: Balata, tobacco, cattle, farming.

8.

Local Govt: Captain and councillors including a lady councillor.

9.

Special Featu;u,,§,: In this area there between Araerindians and non-linerindians.

Scheduled has been a long· association air service.
10.,Iitle requested: Cor;u;iunal - vested in Captain and Council.

11.,1'.5 _le reconu;:)e11:__ded: :;,-_' oholcl vested in duly consti tutcd Local Authority.

12.,Efpedoms: All noroal freedoms and permissions enjoyed by .Amerindians.

13.

Area requested: River, the Essequibo 111�·he area bounded by the Rupununi River".

River and the Siparuni River, the Rewa 14.

Commission's recorn::1endations: at 13 above to be excessive to develop and adninistcr.
· The Cornnission and beyond the ability considers the request of the residents This is a rapidly comouni savannah recognises within the forest area for their .

The Col:!lilission incr<.�sing ty residing on infertile lands the need for additional subsistence and future development.
The Commission therefore recommends existing village should be extended of tho that the boundaries to include Sarana as follows:- /The -106- River thence north about 4 niles, at a point 2000 ft. below the mouth qf Panboura The area cofilfilencing Creek, left bank Rupununi cast about 2 miles to the south-east corner of Annai Airstrip thence north to the Burro Burro River, thence down the Burro River its source, left bank Rupununi nouth, thence up the Rupununi Burro to the Surama River; thence up the Surama River to thence south to the source of tho Mauri Creek, River, thence down the Mauri Creek to its River to the starting point.
thence The CoI:JDission also recoIIlI!lends that Massara, Toka and Yupukari tho communities share, coonunally, River for cattle grazing and agricultural of Annai, Yakarinta, lands east of the Rupununi purposes.

beneficial The Commission occupation of farmlands in the Rewa River.

further recori�cnds have that residents -107- DESCRIPTION OF COMMUNITIES �: TOKA VILLAGE - NORTH SAVANNAHS RUPUNUNI 1. of area occupied: Description Massara Village.
Bounded Cattle Grazing Permission Permission south by Cattle Grazing Permi$sion or1 the applied for by C.P.

Beharry S.F.

ll0/6/222; 238. on the east by Massara, 224, on the north by Cattle Grazing on the west py Situate about 7 miles north-west of 2.

P·ersons or organisations Trustees 10 acres.

of the Church in the Diocese to whom Jands are alienated,: Incorporated of Guyana -Grant 21644 3.

Population: 130 4.

Tribe: Macusi.

5.

Institutions: Church and School (Anglican).

6.

Fair degree.
6.

Fair degree.

Degree of coastal acculturation: 7.

Economy: balata.

Cattle, tobacco, 8.

Local Govt: Captain and 4 councillors.

9.

Special Features: Village on the main road from Lethem to Annai.

10.

Title requested: Communal vested in Captain and Council.

11.

Ti tl.e recommended: Freehold vested in duly constituted Local Auth?ri ty.

12.

Freedoms: All normal freedoms and permissions enjoyed by Amerindians.

13.

Area req�sted: "An area of 35 square miles".


14. recomracndations: The Commission feels that the request Commission's at .13 above is excessive considered recommended adequate is as follows:- and has therefore an area recommended needs and development.
The area for subsistence Permission at the south-western corner of Cattle· No.237 about 4 miles west of a point about The area commencing Grazing 7 miles below the mouth of Benoni River, left bank Rupununi thence weqt 4± miles, thence south by west 3i miles thence east 4t miles, thence north-east� miles, thence north J.t miles to the point of commencement.

River; The Commission occupation also recommends beneficial cancelled of that recom.uiended of Cattle Grazing -and of the area of approximately title.
for freehold Permission that residents No.224 -now 36 square miles north should have The Commission further recommends that the communities should share, communally, of Massara, Toka and Yupukari River for cattle grazing and agricultural Annai, Yakarinta, lands east of the Rupununi purposes.

-108- DESCRIPTION OF COMMUNITIES � : YJIKARINTA - NORTH SAVANWAHS, (St. Bernard's Mission) RUPUNUNI 1. of area occupied: Description about 9 miles south-west River on account of immediate in rainy season.
Situate on right bank Rupununi of Annai.

Village is sited about a mile from being subject to flooding river bank River 2.

Persons or organisations Trustees of the Church in the Diocese of Guyana -Grant No.22016 - 2.5acres.

to wl}_Qn lands are alienated: Incorporated 3.

Population: 300.

4.

Tribe: Macusi.

5.

Institutions: Church and School (Anglican).

6.

Degree of coastal accul turat:j..011: Fairly low.

7.

Economy: Balata, subsistence farming, cattle.

8.

Local Govt: Captain and 4 councillo rs.


9.

Special Features: Nil.

10.

Title requested: Communal -vested in Captain and Council.

11.

Title recommended: Authority.

Freehold -vested in duly constituted Local 12.

Freedoms: All normal freedoms and permissions enjoyed by f,nerindians.

13.

Area requested: �Ti th the people of Annai, Massara and Toka, "all lands within the Rewa River, Kwitaro, Mapari and the Rupununi Rivers".

14.
14.

Commission's at 13 above to be excessive to develop and adr!linister.- recommendations: The Co!JI!lission considers the request and beyond the ability of the residents The area recommended plus farmlands in the Simoni and Rewa Rivers is considered to be adequate development.
The area recommended is as follows:- for subsistence needs and future at the mouth of an unnamed creek, right River about 6t miles above a point opposite the The area comnencing bank Rupununi mouth of Annai Creek, thence south and west along the watershed of the said unnamed creek to a point on the right bank Rupununi River opposite to the point of corunencenent.

thence down the Rupununi Kwaimatta village, River beneficial of farmlands in the Simoni and Rewa Rivers.
The Commission occupation also recomr:iends that residents should have It is further recomnended that the coITIL1unities Massara, of Annai, should share, communally, Toka and Yupukari River for cattle grazing and agricµltural Yakarinta, lands east of the Rupununi purposes.

-109- DESCRIPTION OF COMMUNITIES N.IJ-i:E: liRJi..Nl\PUTA VltLLEY -NORTH SAVANNAHS, RUPUNUNI 1. area occupied: Description of west.
f,n area surveyed homesteads only 24 lots were occupied In close proximity into 130 lots around 1938 to provide settlers.

At time of visit -March 1968 - -12 each by Amerindians for coastal to Annai - 3 miles and non-Amerindians.

2.

Persons Trustees or organisations to whoo lands are alienated: Incorporated of the Church in the Diocese of Guyana -4 acres.

3.

Population: 24 fanilies -about 100.

4.

Tri be: Mixed population of .Amerindians (Macusi) and non-Amerindians.

5.
5.

Institutions: Government s chool.

6.

Degree of coastal Advanced.

acculturation: 7.

Economy: Tobacco, cattle, subsistence farning.

-8.

Local Govt: Nil.

g. Special Feature_§,: Nil.

10.

Title requested: No request received.

11.

Title recommended: 1.unerindians Freehold for plots leased to Amerindians no leases should .

Those be given unalloted area who hold s. 12.

Freedoms: il.11 normal freedoms and permissions enjoyed by .Amerindians.
'\ -Ht()- �SCRIPTION OF _Q.or�UNITIES N.AME: KARL.SABJ�I including Jauri, Tiger Pond, Paipang, Kalgari, Korapang, S"oaba, Yr!.

:r.ukamata, Karabai�rnru, Marieka, Kara-Kara, Tipuru, Halaka Nova, Otobobai and Yarong Paru.

1.
Description Ma·hi River and more fully described of..._area occup��: Situate on the left bank Irong or in Order No.66 of 1960 as follows:- on the left bank a point one mile below the mouth of situate "A tract of Crown Land or Mahu River, coru:ioncing at the Jauri River, and extends thence due East western brow of the PnkaraiBa direction Mountains a point about 10 niles up the left bank of the Tipuru River, thence down the loft bank of the Tipuru Ri Vt.ff to its nouth and thence down tho left bank of the Ireng or Mahu River to the point of cofilflenceoent, and containing thence in a north-westerly to along the said western brow of the Pakaraima an area of approximately about seven miles to the Mountains, 200 square miles".
of the Ireng The villages Kara-Kara, boundaries Marieka, Otobobai of the Karasabai Malaka Nova, Yurukamata, Korapang, and Yarong Paru are not within the !nerindian District.

of Kalgari, 2.

Persons Bishop:- or orp:anisations to J:L}).om lands are alienatec!,: Roman Catho·lic Karasabai Tipuru Yarong Paru Pernission Pernission Permission #19119 #19113 #19117 #20417 #20397 " 1 acre 1 acre 1 acre 1 acre 1 acre II 3.

PopulatiQE_: About 1200.

4.

Tribe: Macusi.

5.


Institut ions: Karasabai -school and church (Roman Catholic), District Field Officer, established in 1925.

Trade Store.

Mission Tipuru -school and church (Roman Catholic).

Mission establishe d in 1916.

Yarong Paru establish ed in 1952.

-school and church (Roman Catholic).

Mission 6.

Degree of coastg,...l accul�.n: Fairly low.

7.

Econooy: Cattle, tobacco, balata, subsistence farning.

8.
8.

Local Govt: Captain Paru and Tiger Pondo and councillors at Karasabai, Tipuru, Yarong 9.

Special Feat�res: Regular air se:rvice at Karasabai.

10.

Title requested: CoCJI:1unal vested in Captain and Council.

11.

Title recommend�d: of Karasabai, Freehold 'l'ipuru, Yarong l2aru and Tiger Pond.

vested in duly constituted Local Authorities 12.

Freedoms: .All noroal freedoms and permissions enjoyed by .Ar:lerindians.

/13.

-111- 13.
/13.

-111- 13.

"From Moreiro River to the Siparuni Arca requested: the Burro-Burro to the Essequibo, then up the Muruwa River to its source, and on to the Ireng River at Orinduik back to the starting point at Moreiro".

then down to the Burro-Burro River, then down tho Essequibo River and down tho Siparuni River to the Muruwa River, then westwards past Kurukabaru and thence down the Ireng River 14.

CoJ21ID.ission's of Kalgari, Korapang; Otobobai District.
recorn::1endations: At the request Malaka Nova, Yurukamata, of residents Kara-Kara, Marieka, in the Karasabai the villages and Yarong Paru have all been included The Cor:mission considers this extended for area to be adequate is as follows:- present and future needs.
The area reconoended at the south-western left bank Ireng River on the Guyana-Brazil The area col!lBencing district, thence east, north and north-west thence north along the watershed Otomung down the Echilebar thence down the Ireng River to the point of col'.Wlencement.

along the District of the Ireng River to the thence west to the Echilebar River to its mouth, left bank Ireng River, Mountain, border, boundary, c�rn0r of tho oxis�ing River, thence -112- DESCRIPTION OF COMMUNITIES � : TARUKJ,.
!i.MERINDIAN -NORTH P !JCJ.RAIMJ,.S RUPUNUNI VILLI.GE DISTRICT 1.

Description Siparuni from Mor;·.rey Mountain.

of area occu12ied: River and tributaries Situate between the headwaters of the of the Kowa River.

�bout 9 niles 2.

Persons or organisations to whoo lands permission No.221 -50 sq.

miles.

are alienated: Cattle grazing 3.

Population: About 200.

4.

Tribe: Macusi.

5.

Institutions: School -Pilgrin Holiness.

6.

Degree of coastal acculturation: Fairly low.

7.


Economy: Mining, subsistence farming.

8.

Local Govt: Captain and councillors.

9.

Special Features: Light aircraft airstrip.

10.

Title requested: Corununal -vested in Captain and Council.

11.

Title recoI!l.ffiended: Authorit y. Freehold vested in duly constituted Local 12.

Freedoms: All normal freedoms and pernissions enjoyed by f,.nerindians.

13.

!w:ea requested: No request received.

14.


CoI!lDission's recomnended Following is the area reconuended:- recomnendations: The Cot10ission as being adequate for subsistence considers needs and the area developnent.
at the nouth of the Mariaparu River to its source, thence east and south along the River, River thence up the The area comnencing left bank Yawong River, left bank Kowa Mariaparu watershed between the Siparuni source of Black Water Creek, left bank Echilebar down the Black Water to the Tusenen River, thence up the Tusenen source, thence north-west to the point of co!D.l!lencenent and except all alienated River, thence Creek to its mouth, thence north-west and Echilebar Rivers to the River to its , save lands.
-113- DESCRIPTION· OF COMMUNITIES · � : K!.NMANG VILLAGE -NORTH P!..KARAIMAS RUPUNUNI DISTRICT 1.

Description of Orinduik.

settlements of area occupied: Concentrated of Kangamu, .

'.

"Jweik and Puwa.

Situate about 10 miles south-west settlenent but also includes scattered 2.

Persons or orf.§.Uis�ti.9...ns to whoo lands are alienateq_;_ Bishop -Pcrnission ib, 22306 - 10 acres.

At Kanapang.

Roman Catholic 3.


Population: Approximately 200a Tribe: Macusio Institutions: Kanapang -school and church (Roman Catholic).

6.

Degree of coa�_tal_flccul trade is carried on.

which regular turation: Main contact is with Brazil with 7.

Economy: ··subsistence and economic ngricul ture; mining.

8.

Local Govt: Kana�ang: · captain and 3 councillors.

9.

Special Feat�,: Possibility by road.

Residents of Kanapang of connecting farm along the Ireng River.

Kanapang with Itabac 10.


'l'i tle requested.

: Comnunal.

11.

Title recoC1L1ende�: Authorit Freehold y.

-vested in duly constituted Local 12.

Freedoms: All norl".lal freedor:1s and perr:1issions enjoyed by Ar:J.erindians.

13. request A joint li:rea requested: Waipa and Kopinang River to the Essequibo River (on the south) to Mount J�yangana north)".
';for the area of land extending fron the Ireng River and froB Karasabai and the Muruwa and the Kuribrong River (on the with the people of Itabac, Kaibarupai, 14.

Conmission excessive adninister 1s rocor:llilendations: and beyond the ability of the residents or develop.

Tho area requested at 13 above is to successfully This vil1age includes mentioned at (1) the settlements for present area is considered adequate needs above.
The following and for developnent:- ng at the mouth of the Itabac River, thence down the Ireng River to tho The area commenci left bank.Ireng River, Puwa River, thence up the Puwa River to the main tributary on its right bank, thence up the said tributary source, thence north-west save and· e�·cept all alienated lands.
to the point of COr:J.ClCnconent, .to its -114- DESCRIPTION OF COMMUNITIES � : ITABAC VILLAGE -NORTH PJi.KiffiAIMAS RUPillWNI DI5'TRICT 1. of area occupied: Description 8 miles south of Orinduik airstrip and farms on the with houses sited on both sides of the Puwa River.

A scattered settlement situate about 2.

Persons Bishop -Permission No.22305 -10 acres.

or organisations to whom lands are alienate..s1,: Ronan Catholic 3.

Population: 150 4.

Tribe: Macusi.

5.

Institutions: in 1960.


School and church (Roman Catholic).

Mission established 6.

Degree of coastal acculturatioil.

:,, Fair degree.

Economy: Economic and subsistence farming: labour.

8.

Local Govt: Captain and 4 councillors.

9.

Special Features: airstrip.

Light aircraft Comr:iunal.

10.Title requested: 11.Title recommended: Freehold vested in duly constituted Local Authorit y.

12.

Freedoms: f�l nornal freedoms and permissions enjoyed by Amerindians.

13.
13.

A joint request with the people of Kaibarupai, Waipa, and Kopinang 11for the area of land extending Area requested: Kanapang, the Ireng River to the Essequibo Muruwa River (on the south) to Mount Ayangana River ( on tho north) 11• and the River and from Karasabai and the Kuribrong from 14.

Connission' excessive administer and beyond the ability or develop.
s rec·omnendations: Tho area requested of the residents at 13 above is to successfµlly Within the Itabac area there arc several of which farm along the Puwa and Itabac Rivers.
The needs and for adequate area is considered for present small settlements, residents following developnent:- at the nouth of the Itabac River, left The area cor:1Dencing bank Ireng River, thence up the Ireng River to Tumong River, thence up the Tur:iong River to Ji.rasawa to the source of the Puwa River, thence down the Puwa River to the nain tributary on its right bank, thence thence north-west to the point of tributary comoencement, save and except all alienated to its source, River, thence south up the said lands, --115- PATJ..MONA COMMUNITIES 242.
The Patamonas are of Carib stock but we know.little of their history or of the time when they appeared in their present locality , the Northern Pakaraima Mountains from the Ireng River in the west to t'he Kaieteur escarpment in the east.
243.The whole area between the Echilebar and Upper Potaro Rivers and between the Ireng and Kaieteur is well known for its dianond production and as there are no declared Junerindian villages or districts, prospect ors and miners of all races work in the area and move freely in .l\nerindian settlements.

244.

Although there are extensive savannah areas cattle rearing is not taken seriously on account of the distance the frora Letheo, sole neat outlet.
The lands are classified as poor generally but there are areas along the creeks and in the forested mountains which could sustain peroanent agriculture under sound management.

As these are the highest cultivable lands in the country, up to with altitude 3,000 feet above sea level, their value as a source of exotic crops, cabbages, grapes etc., cannot be overlooked.

Unfortunately, internal communications in this mountainous district are li121ited to walking trails.
The residents of Paranakatoi themselves are making a jeep trail from Paramakatoi to Kato so as to take fuller advantage of the Kato airstrip.

The lengthening of ParaI11akatoi airstrip to accomoodate a D.C.3 aircraft would appear to obviate this necessity but f2rmers along the trail could make use of either airstrip.

Regular air service� cater for Orinduik, Kurukabaru, Kat9 and Monkey Mountain.

245.
245.

Some Patamonas find employment with the oining comnunities and with the adninistration services as bearers or 'droghers'.

Sone are engaged in mining for themselves, others bleed balata and there are a few who trade in garden produce.

Macusi and Wapishana from the savannahs and Arawaks from the North West District are to be found in the area, attracted by the op;ortunities provided by diamond mining operations.

Tho area also provides a refuge for displaced Macusi froo Brazil.
The excellence of the pottery products made from the clay of the Puwa River area is recognised by all J\merindian tribes in the region.

246.The area is part of the Rupununi Administrative District and an Assistant District Commissioner is stationed at present at Orinduik.

/The -116- 247.

The �ain cornnunitios are centered around the missions or near oining activities.

Farms and fishing and hunting areas are far removed fron the villages.
Thero are several soall groups in forest and creek locations which prefer not to join up with a villase• Sone of these are along the Ireng River as far up as Sukabi Creek.

Parar.iakatoi, a village of sooe 700 persons is in the oiddle of a forested area.

Its farms are adjacent to the village.

248.

There is considerable potential in the healthy Pakaraima Mountains provided some 2,000 Pata.r:ionas should enjoy a higher standard and if good organisation and internal communications of living.

axe 249.
axe 249.

Tho following is tho list of coomunities in respect of which "Specific Recomnondations" have been raade:- Monkey Mountain Kato Para.T!lakatoi Kurukabaru Kopinang Waipa and Sandhill Kaibarupai Kaoana Chenapau Maikwak: Mahdia-Kangaruna Tur.iatumari.

-11'7- DESCRIPTION OF COMMUNITIES � : MONKEY M01]tf,l;'.AJ;N..-.

NORTH .. P.AKARitIMAS: --RUPUNUNI DISTRICT 1.

Description of area occupied.

: Situate on left bank Ireng River - 112 niles up.

About 12 miles fron Yarong Paru.


Main .AIJerindian occupation Rivers.

Tusenen is on Monkey Mountain Echilebar Plateau between and .... 2.

Persons or organisations to whon lands are alienated: $everal nining clains.

Cattle Grazing�·P'eri!iission No�221 -50 sq.

tJ:iles.

Roman Catholic"Bishop -Provisional Lease -5 acres.

3.

Population: About 200.

4.

Tribe: Predoninantl y Patamona, Macusi, Wapishana, Arawak.

5.

Institutions: Police in i960.

established Post, Government School, Church, Mission· 6.
Degree of coastal acculturation: Fair degree_ •.

1.

Economy: Subsistence agriculture, nining, balata, cattle.

8.

Local Govt: Captain and 4 councillors.

9.

Special Amerindian Regular air service.

Features: Popular residents mining area; is very amicable.

relationship.

with.

non­ D.C .3 all weather airstrip.

10.

Title requested : Communal vested in Captain and .Co:uncil.

11.

Title reconIB1ended: Freehold vested in duly constituted Local Authority.

12.

Freedons: .
12.

Freedons: .

All .nornal freedon� and perr.iis$ions enjoyed by Amerind·ians: · · 13.

Area requested: II Sipuruni Farming, fishing Monkey Mountain and .and hunting used to be done here.

Grazing Opamang: clay at Sacrital".

Twileng land Rt ,.

Ireng River' Sacri tal' Marasparutai.

14. '

·.

.

Commission's recol'!lmendations: The Comnission 13 above:!

·to be excessiv.e and beyond the ability to develop.or administer.
The following area the Col!lmission the re<rubst at of the residents is considered by .

.

.

- considers to be adequate for present and future requirenents:- .

- of the Echilebar· River, left to the source of an unnaned tribut�r� The are·a ccir:un'encing at the r:1outh to Mipimah Falls, ·�§ink Ireng River, th,e-nce up the Echilebar River thence north-west on the left.bankTusenen.River, thence down the said unnamed tributary to its mouth, th.ence down the Kowa River to.its r!louth, down .
the II_'eng � ve:i; to the point of conm:enc·ement, save and .and Government except all alienate.d down the Tusenen River· to its mouth, thence left bank Ireng River, thence occupied lands.

-119- DESCRIPTION OF COMMUNITIES � : KATO VILLAGE -NORTH Pl'JC/i.RAIMAS -RUPUNUNI DISTRICT 1.

2.

Description 12 miles up.


of area occupied: Situate on right bank Kowa Ri v:er about Persons or organisations to whoo lands are alienated: Bishop: Permission mining claios, Several No.20034 -5 acres -Permission cattle grazing permissions.

Ronan Catholic No.20035 -5 acres.

several 3.

P opulation: 120.

4.

Tribe: Pataoona.

Institutions: in 1959.

Church and school (Ronan Catholic).

Mission est�blished 6.


Degree of coe.stal acculturation: Fair degree.· Econony: Farming -subsistence, oining, labouring.

8.

Local Govt: Captain and 4 councillors.

9.

Special Features: Regular air service -D.C.3 all weather a�rstrip.

10.

Title requested: Communal vested in Captain and Council.

11.

Title recommended: Freehold -vested in duly constituted Local Authority.

12.
12.

Freedoms: All normal freedoms and permissions enjoyed by .Amerindians.· "This village is bounded Area requested: (right bank) about North North-east.

Then on the right bank of the Yzara Creek about north-north-west of this village 30 I!lil es of the right bank of the Ireng River by the Kawa Creek on the sou th of this village".

and to about 14. recomnendations: The area requested at 13 above includes by residents of Kurukubaru and Paramakatoi.
The considers the following area to be adequate for subsistence Coonission's are�s occupied Comnission needs and development:- at the mouth of the Chiung River, left bank The area coramencing Ireng River, thence up the Chiung River to an unnamed tributary its right bank thence up the said unnaned s.o� to the source of an unna.CTed tributary, River, thence down the said unnamed down Kowa River to an unna.J21ed tributary up the said unnamed tributary to the source of Aquafria down the Aquafria to the point of commBnceuent, Creek to its oouth thence up the Ireng �iver lands.
right bank Kowa to its mouth, thence on its right bank thence to its source, thence south-west save and except all alienated tributary tributary on to its source,thcr.a:: Creek, left bank Ireng River, thence -119- DESCRIPTION OF COMMUNITIES � : PAR.AMAfCATOI VILLAGE - NORTH PAK.ARAIMAS RUPUNUNI DISTRICT 1.

Description of 12 miles up.

'I'his village Church over the past 18 yearso area occupied: Situate on the left bank Kowa River, has been developed by the Pilgrim Holiness 2.
Persons or organisation�� Church -Lease -50 acres, which include� and building erea.

to whon lands are alienated: airstrip, Pilgrim school and church �oliness 700.

Population: 4.

Tribe: Patarnona.

5.

Institution_§_: Medical Cenh·e.

Church and school -Pilgrim in 1950. established Mission Holiness -Mission House; 6.

Degree of cqastal acculturation : Fair degree.

7.

Economy: Subsistence farming, balata.

8.

Local Govt: Captain and council.

9.


Special between Parama.katoi Light aircraft and Kato under construction.

airstrip.

Features: Self-help jeep road 10.

Title re9ueste�: Communal.

Vested in Captain and Council.

11.

Title recornnend.Gd,: Freehold -vested in duly constituted Local Authority.

12.

Freedons: All normal freedoms and permissi ons enjoyed by Amerindians.

13.

.Area requested: No request received.

14.


Commission's with patches The Cot:lIIlission considers the following needs and for developnent:- recomr1�gdatiolill_: of good soil.

Farming is done along the Chenapau This is an area of generally area as necessary for pr�sent poor soil River.
at the mouth of the Yawong River, left bank The area commencing bank Ireng River, thence up the Kowa River to Kowa River, left its source; thence east and south along the watershed of the Kowa Rivers to the source of the Mariaparu Chenapau and River, River to its mouth, thence down the thence down the Mariaparu Yawong River to the point of corJDencement, save and except all alienated landso -1?0- DESCRIPTION OF COMMUNITIES � : KURUKABARU VILLJ,GE (St. Joseph's -NORTH Pl.K.ARAIMAS Mission) RUPUNUNI DISTRICT 1.
Description of area occupied: Situate west of the headwaters of the Chiung River, left bank Ireng River.

See also cage 13 below.

2.

Persons or organisations No.19118 Bishop -Perr:iission 10 acres.

to whon lands are aliena�e..£_: Rouan Catholic.

- 1 acre.

R.C.

Bishop Perr:1ission No.20121 - Population: 400.

4.

Tribe: Patamona.

Institutions: House, Rest House.

Mission established Church (Roman Catholic) Presbytery.

Teacher'� School, in 1912.

6.

Degree of coastal acculturation: Fair degree.

7.


Economy: Subsistence farming, balata, labour.

8.

Local Govt: Captain and 4 councillors.

Special Light aircraft Feature�: airstrip in village.

D.C. 3 all weather airstrip.

Regular air service.

10.

Title requested: CoI!llllunal vested in Captain and Council.

11.

Title recor:1nended: Authority.

Freehold -vested in duly constituted Local Freedoms: All normal freedoms and rernissions enjoyed by Ar:i.erindians.

13.

Area reguested: "Fron Mt.


Aynngana; Potaro River; right down to the mouth of Burro-Burro River; and Mt.

Tawaileng straight across through straight across to the mouth of to the border".

14. recor:lL'.lendations: and beyond the ability or administer.

This CornI!l.ission's excessive develop is done along the banks of rivers and creeks.

The following considered as their farns are in the Chiung, Itabac and Arasawa Valleys:- The area requested of the residents at 13 above is to successfully savannahs.
Farr:iing area is is an area of infertile necessary at the mouth of the Chiung River, left bank The area commencing Ireng River, thence up the Chiung River to a tributary on its left bank thence up the said tributary northwards .Anandabaru River, thence down the Tumong River to Arasawa to the source of the Puwa River, thence down the Puwa River to its oouth, thence down save and except all alienated thence of the Kowa and Tunong Rivers to thence west to the source of the Tumong along the watershed Mountain, the Ireng River to the point of coiruY1enceoent, to its source, lands.
River, thence south -121- DESCRIPTION OF COMMUNITIES � : KOPINANG VILLAGE - NORTH P.AK .. t"JLI\IMAS RUPUNUNI DISTRICT 1.

Description of right bank Potaro River.

area occupied: Situate on left bank Kopinang River, 2. or organisations Persons Bishop -Permission -2.

5 sq.

m W.Augustus No.19116 iles·.

to whora lands are alienated: Roman Catholic No.241 - - 1 acre.

Cattle Grazing Permission 3.

Population: Approximately 200.

Tribe: Patarnona.

Institutions: in 1916.

Church and school -Roman Catholic.


Mission established 6.

Degree of coastal acculturatio�: Fair degree.

7.

Economy: Subsistence farming, mining.

8.

Local Govt: Captain and 4 councillors.

9.

Special Features: Waipa, Velgraad, Tappa, Chenapau.

Several mirung claims within this area.

Trails to 10.

Title requested: Cor.ununal -vested in Captain and Council.

11.

Title recomr.1ended: Freehold Authority .

Local -vested in duly constituted 12.


Freedoms: All normal freedoms and permissions enjoyed by Amerindians·.

13.

A joint request with the people of Itabac, and Waipa and Sandhill Area requested: Kanapang the Ireng River to the Essequibo Muruwa River (on the south) to Mount Ayangana ( on the north)".

Kaibarupa1, · fron for the "area of land extending River and from Karasabai and the Kuribrong· and the 14.

Comnission's recommendations: ie .


beyond the ability o.. develo; of the residents The request the area.

at 13 above is excessive.

It to successfully adi;iinister The soil survey oap indicates that this is an area of relatively poor soil.
The following future rieeds of the residents:- and area is considered adequate for present Creek to its source, d of the Kopinang, at the mouth of the Karapopo River, right bank Potaro River, thence .The area cor:wiencing bank Kopinang Karapopo watershe source of the Tumong River, thence north-eastwards watershed Kopinang across the Kopinang exc�pt all alienated lands.
and Kopinang Rivers the mouth of the Karapopo of the Maikwak River opposite ar.d Kamana Rivers to the along the save and River to the point of comnence�ent, Creek, left up the thence southwards Chenapau along the to tho right bank Creek, thence -122- DESCRIPTION OF COMMUNITIES � : WJ.IPJ.

AND SJ�NDHILL -NORTH PAKARi.IMJ.S RUPUNUNI VILLJ,GE DISTRICT 1.

D escription of area __ occupied: Situate on the Ireng River near to the Chioepau River about 12 miles north of Orinduik.

2.
2.

Person or organisajiQns_to Bishop -Pem.ission No.19ll4 - 1 acre.

Waipa.

whom lands are alienated: Roman Catholic 3.

Population: Approximately 600 4.

Tribe: Patanonao 5.

Institutions.

: Waipa -School and Church -Rooan Catholic.

Mission in 1916. established 6.

Degree of coastal acculturation: F'air degree.

7.

Econor:iy: Subsistence faming; labour.

8.

Local Govt: Captain and 4 councillors.

9.

Special Features: Trail to Kopinang.

10.

Title requested: Communal -vested in Captain and Council.
11.

Title recor.J.Illended: FrePhold Authorityo -vested in duly constituted Local 12.

Freedoms: All normal freedoms and permissions enjoyed by Amerindian�.

13.

Area regueste�: Kanapang Cage 13 of Kopinang Village.

h joint request with the people of Itabac, Kaibarup�i, and Kopinang for an area of land more fully described at 14.

Commission's excessive administer or develop.
recomnen�ation�: at 13 above is and beyond the ability of the residents to successfully The area requested The Cor.nnission considers the following area to be adequate for subsistence needs and for future development:- at the mouth of the Makoeriba The area commencing bank Ireng River, thence up the Makoeriba thence north by the watershed Creek, left I1ountain bank Ireng River, thence down the Shiliwang Creek to'its mouth, thence down the Ireng River to the point of commencement, and except west to the source of Shiliwang of the 'Ireng River to Kopinang lands.
all alienated Creek to its source, , thence Creek, left save -123- DESCRIPTION OF COMMUNITIES � : KAIB.i\RUPJ ...

I VILLAGE -NORTH P.AK.ARAIMAS RUPUNUNI DISTRICT l. Description 18 miles north of Orinduik.

of area occupied: Situate on the Ireng River, about 2.

Persons or organis�tions to whom lands are alienated: Mining claims.

3.

Populatiqn: About 100.

4.

Tribe: Patamona.

5.

Institutions: Children attend school at Waipa.

6.

Degree of coastal accultu;ration: Low degree.

7.


Economy: droghing, Subsistence farming, mining.

8.

Local Govt: Captain and 4 councillors.

9.

Special Features: Residents and trade with their Venezuelan activity to Waipa.

Lm on right bank Ireng River (Brazil) in clay pots.

Much mining counterpart in this area by �oth Amerindians and non-.Anerindians.

Trail 10.

Title reque�: Communal -vested in Captain and Council.

11.

Xitle recommended: Freehold -vested in duly constituted Local Authority.

12.
12.

Freedoms: All normal freedoms and permissions enjoyed by Amerindians.

13.

Area requ�sted: Waipa and Kopinang of Kopinang Village.

A joint request with the people of Itabac, for an area of land more fully described Kanapang, at Cage 13 14.

Commission's r9..9ommendations: excessive administer and beyond the ability or develop.
The area requested of the residents at 13 above is to successfully The Commissi on considers subsistence and development the following needs of the residents:- area to be adequate for The area commencing at the mouth of Shiliwang Creek, left pank Creek to the Kopinang Ireng River, thence up the Shiliwang Mountain, thence north along the watershed of the Ireng River to the source of the Iwarga Creek left bank Ireng River, tpence down the Iwarga Creek to its mouth, thence down the Ireng River lands.
all alienated to the point of commencement, save and except -124- J!ESCRIPTION OF COMMUNITIES .lli!J:lfil : KJII"IANA VILLAGE -NORTH PlJCARAIM.hS RUPUNUNI DISTRICT 1.

Description Qf area occupied: a tributary of the Kamana River, right bank Tumong River.

10 miles north-east Situate on both banks li.rapatai of Orinduik.

Creek,· 2.

Persons or 9rgaJ1i.3ations· to i1rhom lands are alienatecl.

: 3.

Population: Approximately 40.

4.

Tribe: Patamona.

5.

6.


Institutions: Degree of coastal accultura tion: Fair degree.

7.

Econony: Subsistence farming, nining.

8.

Local Go_y1: Captain and 4 councillors.

9 •.

Special Feature�: 10.

Title roguestcd: Co��unal -vested in Captain and Council.

11.

Title recommended: 1,uthori ty.

Freehold -vested in duly constituted Local 12.

Freedoras: All nornal freedoos and peroissions enjoyed by .lunerindians.

13.

14.
13.

14.

Area re9.,uested:... 25 miles 11 • "ApproxiC1ately 28 square miles and cross way approxinntely Connission's by the residents subsistence recormE:mded : - recoonendations: The area recoIDL1endod of this village and is considered is that occupied for adequate needs and future developraent.
Following is the area at the mouth of the Kamana River, right The area conrnencing bank Turaong River, left bank Ireng River, thence along the watershed of the Kar:iana River, thence south-east to the source of the Tunong River, thence down the Tumong River to the Krunana River lands.
tb� point of coru:iencenent, save and except all alienated o� the right bank of the Karaana River to the source -125- }]§__9RIPTI0N OF COMMUNITIES �: CHENAPJ,U VILLAGE - NORTH PJJG..RAIM.AS RUPU11!UNI DISTRICT Descript�Q,g 77 miles up.

of a£ea occupied: Situate on left bank Potaro River about Persons or QEK_ori.isat;i;:on:s Bishop -Pe:;::-rJission ::'.lo, 22188 ·- 1 acre.

Mining .

leases.

to whon lands are alienated: Roman Catholic 1.

2.

Population: Appi..'ox.inately 60o 4.

Tribe: Patanona.

5.


Institutions_: in 19G6.

established Church and School - (Ronan Catholic).

Mission 6.

Degree of coastal .a..:..ccul turation: Fair degree.

7.

Economy: Subsistence farming, mining.

8.

Local Govt: Captain and Council recently established.

9.

Special Feature�: area by both Amerindians Waipa and Kopinang.

Much raining activity carried on in this and non-.i\rlerindians.

Trails to Tappa, Velgraad, 10.

Title requested: No request received.

ll.

Title re�.Q.!;)f!_end�g.


: Beneficial occupation.

12.

Freedons: fLl.l norn1al freedoos and pert:1issions enjoyed by Amerindians •.

13. hrea reguested,: No request received.

14.

Commission.

'...§._recominendatiQ.n�: This is an area with a growing Amerindian settled to warrant the grant of but not sufficiently population freehold title.

Shifting mining.
Shifting mining.

The Cownission area for beneficial :settled down for the Loca.l Authority under freehold might be influenced by the fortunes should have an that the residents has to assune control of the area is the area recommended: until such time as the connunity title.

Following occupation considers of a.t the mouth of the Orak River, left bank Area connenc.i.ng Potaro River, thence up the said thence west to the Potaro River opposite Kopinang coillI!lencement.
River thence down the Potaro River to the point of Orak River to its source, the mouth of the -126- DESCRIPTION OF COMMUNITIES �: MAIKWJJ<: SETTLEMENT -NORTH PJJC'.RAIMJ.S RUPUNUNI DISTRICT 1.

Description of area occupied: right bank Kopinang River.

Situate River, on the right bank Maikwak 2.

Persons or organisations to whon lands are alienatq_cl: Mining leases.

Population: 15 - 1 family& 4.

Tribe: Patanona.

5.

Institutions: Nil.

6.

Degree of coastal acculturation: Fair degree.

7.


Econonv: Subsistence agriculture, m ining.

8.

Local Govt: Nil.

Special Features: family, adjacent to mining claims.

A one family settlement occupied by the Luke 10.

Title reguested: No request received.

11.

Title reco1mended: Conditional Grant.

12.

13.

14.

Freedoms: .All normal freedoms and permissions enjoyed by f.JJ1eri�dians.

Ji:rea requested: No request received.


recommendations: Conmission's in which there are several by the fortunes be given a conditional residents until such time as they have settled or removed community.

This settlement mining claims.

Shifting of nining.

The CofilDission grant to continue recol!lfilends that the to occupy the area to on established is situate in an area might be influenced M12'7- DESCRIPTION OF COMMUNITIES NAME: MJJIDIA-KANGARUM!i.
SETTLEMENT w- MAZJ\.RUNI-POTARO 1J'1ERINDIAN DISTRICT 1.

Description of area occupied: Mahdia: Situate on the Mahdia River, right bank Potaro River, 32 miles from its mouth.

Settlenent frJm Bartica by road.

is about 112 miles Kangaruma: Situate on right bank Potaro River 30 miles frol!l its nouth; about 108 miles fron Bartica by road.

Amerindian occupation Landing and on islands in the Potaro River • .. is along the branch road, near the Kangaruna ' 2.

Persons or or_g�ons to whom lands are alienated.


: Several leases and/or permissions.

Population: llO.

4.

Tribe: Predomi�antly Patamona, Wapishana, Arawak.

5.

Insti tub ons: Mahdia: Government Government Rest House, Police Station and Post Office, Roman Churches.

Catholic Ldninistration and Cottage Hospital, Gover.p.r::iont School, District Dispensary and Anglican Office, Kangaruma: Govcrnnent Rest House.

6.

Degree of coas��lturation: Fairly advanced.

?.


Econony: Logging, mining, fishing, labouring, subsistence farning.

8.

Local Government: Captain and Council.

9.

Special Featu�: Settlenent Compound as well as the Mahdia Village.

at Mahdia in close proxini ty to Governnent 10.

Title requestc�: Cooperative Developnent Scheme.

CotrITT.unal -vested in the Mahdia Aoerindian 11.

Title recor:u;iended: Authority.

Freehold Local -vested in duly constituted 12.


Freedons: All normal freedons and permissions enjoyed by JJ!lerindians.

13.

Area regueste�: 11North -Garraway East -Bartica-Potaro Road; West -Jilbtaro Ri vcr".

Stream; South - Siparuni River; 14.

Commission's requested residents to successful recomnendations: at 13 above to be excessive ly develop and adLJ.inis ter.
The Connission the area and beyond the capacity considers of the The .Amerindian at Mahdia is situate north of the settlement at .Iahdia� Compou�:.

:1 Government River and inland.

The scattered farm along the Potaro River and on islands in the Potaro River.

Two claims wore received from persons residing titles.

The Con.cJ.ission included The residents lilllcrindian considers it best for these persons to be within an area to be administered by a local authority.
at Kangarur1a population farm along the Mahdia at Kangaruna for individual /The -128- The Soil Survey Report indicates that the soil in this area is very poor -Class III and IV.
With this in mind, the Comnission area for freehold recommends the following title:- Creek, right at the oouth of the Sukabai The area comocncing bank Potaro River, thence up the said creek to the Kangaruma branch road, thence east along the said road to the Bartica_­ Potaro Road; thence south along the Bartica-Potaro Road to a point east of the source of the Waterdog the source of the said creek, thence south to a point at the corner of the Mahdia .Anerindian south-eastern thence west to the Mahdia River; thence down the Mahdia River to its mouth, thence down the Potaro River to the point of islands conL1enccnent, lands.
except all alienated in the Potaro River, save and Creek, thence west to Settlencnt; including .

-129- DESCRIPTION OF COMMUNITIES �: TUJ':IATLTIARI ii.MERINDIAN SETTLEMENT -MAZARUNI-POTARO DISTRICT.

1.

2.

4. o�ea occupied: Description 11 miles from its nouth.

About branch road.

Potaro Road and Tuoatumari Situate on right bank Potaro River 95 niles from Bartica by the Bartica­ Persons or orE,a.gi§§}i.Q_�s Bishop - Pernission Church in tho Diocese of Guyanao Licence A330 -1.5 acres.
tow.hon lands are alienat�d: No .18555 ·-o 23 acres.

Incorporated Roman Catholic Trustees of the Population: 89 - 16 families.

Tribe: Predominantly Macusi, Wai-Wai.

Patamona, Wapishana, Warrau, Carib, 1.rawak, Institutions: Governnent Churches.

School, Ronan Catholic and L.nglican 6.

Degree of coastal acculturation: understand Englishc Fair degree; residents speak and 1.

Economy� Logging, mining, fishing, labouring, subsistence farming.

8.

Local Govt: Captain and 4 councillors.

9.


Special Featur�Q: settlement.

Governnent Youth Camp about f mile away from 10.

Title reque.§.ied: Communal -vested in Council.

11.

Title re9oomen��d: Authority.

Freehold -vested in duly constituted Locp].

12.

Freedoms: 121 normal freedoms and permissions enjoyed by !l!!lerindians.

13.
13.

·Area requestecl: Essequibo by the Essequibo Tho area bounded "On the North -by the Potaro and Rivers; on the South -by the Kanawaruk River; on the East - River; on the West by the Kanawaruk Road."

14.

CoDI:1ission requested residents 1 s recooeendations: at 13 above to be excessive to successfully develop and adninister.

The Connission considers the area of the and beyond the capacity The 1.merindian on the left bank Potaro River.
Farming is done on both the left and right banks of the Potaro River.
The Cor:imission area which is consistent with their present occupation:- is concentrated for freehold recomnends Settlement title, the following Anerindian Compound, east along the watershed at the nouth of an unnamed Creek, left bank Tunatumari Settlcncnt thence up· the said unnaned Creek to its The area conr:1encing Potaro River between the the Govern,�ent source, thence the source of an unnar.ied Creek, down the said unnaned Creek to its mouth, thence up the.Potaro River to Tiger River; thence up the �iger River to the Tumatunari-Konawaruk Road, thence north along the road to the right bank Potaro River, thence across the Potaro River to the point of cor::mencement, lands.
save and except all alienated of the Potaro River to left bank Potaro River, thence and -130- l\KJ1W.AI0-li.REKUNA COMMUNITIES 250.

Of Carib stock, tho JJcawaio occupy the drainage basin of the Upper Mazaruni from Mt.

Ayanganna in the east to the Kanarang watershed in the west.

They are also to be found in the border rivers, Wenamu and Upper Cuyuni.

Originally they occupied the middle Mazaruni also and pockets of then are to be found at Kurupung, Pashanru:iu and Issano.
There is -an Lkawaio speaking group at Great Falls in the Demerara River and one at Kwabanna in the North West .Ar.1erindian District.

The Arekuna tribe, of Carib stock also, belong to the Gran Sabana are� of Venezuela from the Kaoarang headwaters to Mt.

Kukenaao.

They entered Guyana during the present century with the Seventh Day 1.dventist Mission which was required to leave its area of operation in Arckuna country and as a result settled in the Upper Kanarang at Paruima.
251.But for the occasional explorer and for sone balata bleeder8 in tho early 1920s the people m.d been left very ouch alone in their oountain retreat.

The 1:dventist Church in the Upper Kar.tarang from 1934 was the only contact with tho people.

Pebordy visited.the area in 1944 and on :1is advice the entire drainage basin of 4,500 square miles was in 1946 declared an lJUerindian District.

In 1946 a District Officer was appointed for its adflinistration.
The inhabitants at that time were considered to be the most backward of all tribal eroups.

The District is now served by three religious denoninations: the Seventh Day Adventists at Paruina, Waranadon and Morowta, the Anglicans at Kanarang Keng and Jawalla and the Pilgrim Holiness at Phillipai._.

The· J.dninistrative Officer now holds the status of Assistant District Commissioner.

252.

There are D.C,3 airstrips at Inbaimadai and at District Headquarters at Karnarang Keng.

At.
At.

Paruima and Waranadon and, in emergency, at Phillipai there are airstrips capable of accorn:iod�ting Twin Otter planes.

Chinowieng Village on the Ayanganna savannahs has a dry weather light aircraft strip.

The only practical means qf comnuuication arc to and froo tho district is by air and services frequent.

Connunication'with the district is by boat as all villages with the exception of Chinowieng are now located on the nain rivers.
·Chinowiene, located on tho trail from the Ireng River to the Upper Mazaruni is reacheu.

frora Chi Chi Falls by a 5 hour walk up the escarpment and along the snvannahs .

/until -131- 253.Until 1959 the people were engaged in agriculture, selling their produce through the Government Trade Store and the Mission.

I They also provided sawn lunber and shingles for local building purposes and cedar and silverballi boards for export to the capital on enpty freight planes.
Some were engaged as balata bleeders and sone as labourers .

There was small but increasing interest in diamond working.

254.In October 1959 Governnent dereserved 1,500 square miles of· the District area including the village of Chinowieng, then occupied by only one fanily.

The resulting influx of prospectors ·of all rnces disru�d life for a tine but the people have now sorted themselves out.
Diamonds are now the nain econo�y in all villages and interest in agriculture is being revived due especially price to the attractive of cabbage and to the provision of convenient air freight service.

255.The U.N.

Soil Survey map indicates ClRss 3 and 4 land, not generally suitable �or agriculture although the Report Vol.III, Part I, page 49 confirr.

:is that certain soils in the area "are relatively fertile and are probably among the best agricultural soils in the country.
They are unfortunately also among the r:iost li!

!li tcd in extent and are often located in relatively inaccessible areas".

These areas are along the Ka.marang River in occupation by the people of Waranadon and Paruina and in the Upper Kukui occupied by people of Phillipai, ilr:J.okokapai and Kwair1arudai.

The areas are for the most part very hilly with gabbro outcrops and can be cultivated only with hand tools.
The elevation, to the 1,500 to 1,800 feet above sea level, is conducive growth of exotic vegetable s and plants.

Livestock in a very snall way is returning to the district·following the slaughter of all beasts to supply domestic and mining requirements.

There is scope in the more fertile valleys for intensive livestock production if good man&gement techniques are practised.

256.
256.

The indigenous religious based on c�lt, Hallelujah, Christianity, which was founded by the Macusi, Bi�iwang, in the mid 19th century and Kanuku Mountains spread to the Carib lands from the to the Cuyuni River,has its last adherents in this district.

Jµnokokapai, a village near the head of the Kukui River, is the contre to which all good Akawaio Hallelujahs look and sonetines visit.
'Services' are carried on in most villages and the f.nglican Church building at Jawalla has been so designed and constructed that Hallelujah services, which feature dancing in a circle, can be carried out in the church.

/The -132- 257.

The population of sone 3,000 does not include a branch of the .llkawaio tribe in the headwaters of the Kwating River in Brazil nor does it take into account tho very few older people who have lately returned to their original homes in the Gran Sabana of Venezuela.
Tho people are politically conscious and consider fully thenselves Guyanese.

They are entirely oriented to Guyana.

258.

The following is a list of cor.munities and groups about which 'Specific 1 Reco:or1endations have been nade:- Kamarang Keng Waram2.don Jawalla Morowta Phillipai, Kwaioarudai, .Ataro Valley, Anokokapai Chinowieng Meruwe.ng Paru:itla Kaikan Arau Awarapati.

-133- DESCRIPT ION OF COMMUNITIES 1!


!Jg: K!�'11illANG KENG -UPPER Mi\.ZiiRUNI RIVER 1. of area occupied: Descri'ption about 254 miles up, opposite started Situate on right bank Mazaruni River th) mouth of the Kamarang River.

Village about 15 years ago by casual labour at the Go:vernnent station.

2.

Persons or or_ganisations to whom lands are alienateq,,: Nil.

Population: 200.

4.

Tribe: f.k:awaio.

5.


Institutions:· trade store, Govornr.1ent combined Served by Government Station, school, Post Office, regular air service, dispensary, Ronan Catholic and Anglican Church.

hospital, 6.

Degree of coastal acculturation: English language.

Fair degree.

Fair cor.mand of Econony: Mining, lumbering, labour, subsistence farming.

8.

Local Govt: Captain and 5 councillors.

9.

Special Features: 10.

Title requested: Coilltlunal -vested in Captain and Council.

ll.
ll.

Title recommended: Freehold, vested in duly constituted Local Authority.

12.

Freedons: All nornal freedoms and pernissions enjoyed by l\Jnerindians.

13.Area requested:11The area extending fron Biraapai Landing and to the Itabu in tho Kar:iarang including to War aka bang the Creek in the Mazaruni watershed of the rivers".

14.C orunission's recommendations: adequate but is considered requested, development.
The area reconncndod is as follows:- needs and for subsistence The area recoriu:nended is less than that bank Mazaruni Creek, right River, thence along the watershed .c:r:eek,_ at the raouth of the Warakabang River to River, thence up the Mazaruni The area commencing left bank Mazaruni River,.
thence up the the Kebezik Kebezik Creek to its source; thence south and west along the watershed of the Mazaruni Mazaruni Kako and Kamarang the Tukuk Creek to its nouth, right bank Kamare.ng River, thence up fhe Kru;iarang River to its source, source of the Warakabang Creek to the · point o'f conr.rnncoment, at Ka.narang.
Governnent Creek; thence down the Warakabang thence north to the Puluwatapu between Mountain, River to tho Bimapai Landing, to Abaru Creek, thence Rivers to the Eboropu save and except tho thence down station the Mazaruni, up the Abaru Creek and to the Mountain -134- D ESCRIPTION OF COMMUNITIES �: WARL.MJ.J)ON �TILLAGE, INCLUDING Wi.R.f.M:.ABIJ.

DISTRICT -UPPER MAZlillUNI 1.

Description of area occupiQQ.

: Situate about 25 miles fron its nouth.

Largest Upper Mazaruni District.


Occupation 'Haul over' , the greatest on right bank Kamarang River populated extends fron Kaikandabu village in the to concentration being at Waramadon.

2.

Persons hdventist Mission -50 acres, or organisations to whon lands are alienated: Seventh Day Population: About 600.

4.

Tribe: Akawaio.

5.

Institutions: started airstrip.

Church and school (Seventh in 1935, Part-time .l\gricultural Day Adventists).

Mission Station.

Light aircraft 6.

Degree of coastal language.


English acculturat=i.Q.g: Fairly advanced.

Good cor.1Dand of 7.

Econooy: Mining, lumbering, agriculture.

8.

Local Govt: Captain and 5 councillors.

9, Features: Special developed economic to have found traraen paintings Kako' Rivor, to Paruima can accot:lI'.lodate position Light plane airstrip, now little used; but if G.�.C.

planes.

This would inprove the of the district.

The Anerindians at \faramadbn ciain on the Ekereku Mountain.
Trails to and to Ekereku.

Road to Kanarang Station.· 10 • Title requested: Communal vested in Captain and Council.

.

11.

Title recor1r.1ended: Authority.

Freehold vested in duly consti tutcd · Local · 12.

Freedoos: 1.11 nornal frecdoos and pcrriissions enjoyed by 1.merindians.

13.

1,rea requested: north and south of the river fron Kaikandabu of •Canoe Haulovor'."

"Both banks of the Kane.rang River to the watersheds an to the bot-too downstre 14.
CoIJI:J.ission's requested but is considered development.
Following recorID.endations: adequate is the area recomnended:- The area reco.oo.ended for ei•:-.sistence is less than that and future River thence up the Upper Mazaruni at the mouth of the Abaru Creek, left of the existing along the said boundary The area coDI!lencing bank Ka.marang River, left bank Mazaruni J.baru Creek to its source, thence north to Puluwatapu to the boundRry south-west for 12 oiles, thence south to the source of an unnacied Creek, left bank Kamnrnng River, thence down the.said the Kanarang River, thonce up the Shuwowyeng east along the watershed of the right bank, Kaoarang River, to Eboropu right bank Kanarang Riv0r, thence up the Kamarang Abaru CrGek, the point of coDDcnceocnt.
unnar.1ed Rive!

:' to tho Shuwowyene Creek to its oouth; thence down Creek to its source, thence Mountain, thence down the Tukuk Creek to its mouth, District; River to thence Creek, rit;ht bank Kal:larang Mountain and -135- DESCRIPTION OF COMMUNITIES �: J Ai/f.LLA VIL:SLGE -UPPER MAZAR.UNI RIVER 1. of area occupied: Situate on both banks at the mouth of up and about River -274 niles Description the Kukui River, left bank Mazaruni 30 niles above Kanarang started with residents of Katima.
Government Station.

Relatively new cor:ununity in 1954 by residents of Chinowieng and Imbaimadai a.oalganating 2.

Incorporated Persons or organ�tions Trustees of the Church in the Diocese of Guyana -Permission 10 acres.

to w� _Jands are alienated; No.31033 - 3.

Population: 400 -79 families.

4.

Tribe: .Akawaio .

5.

Institutions: Church, school (i'ulB' lican).

Hallelujah religi_o.q.

6.

Degree of coastal acculturation : Fair degree.

Fair cot:111and of English.

7.


Economy: Minine, ltID.bering, agriculture, labour.

8.

Local Govt: Captain and 5 councillors.

9.

Tho mission Features: Special layr.ian who is encouraging agricultural practices.

There arv trails leading rivers and to Phillipai.

te, an English to rear cattle and to employ good and Kako is run by Mr. Braithwai to 1..rabaro residents 10.

Title requested: Cornnunal vested in Captain and Council.

'11.

Title recomnendod: Authority.


Freehold -vested in duly constituted Loca+ 12.

Freedons: All normal freedons and peroissions enjoyed by Al:Jerindians.

13.

Arca requested: of tho present District mile below 11.piapai Settlenent" • 11From Er:ioi Creek in the Kukui up the Mazaruni to tho eastern and down the Mazaruni l;,oundary to one 14.
Commission's rocoD.TJendatio recoL1Dended as devclopnent needs.· Following being necessary ns: The Commission considers the area for subsistence needs and for future is the area recor:unended:- Creek to its source, at the mouth of the Wanawau -- The area cornnencing right bank Kukui River, left bank Mazaruni Wanawau of the existing 11.bau Creek; thence south-west below 1,.piapai Mountain, thence south-east left bank Kukui River, thence down the Yara Creek to its · mouth thence down tho Kukui River to the point of corn:iencenent.
District to the Mazaruni tipu south by west to 11.nkari to tho source of the Yara Crock, Creek, River thence up the Landing; thence to the source of the Upper Mazaruni River one mile thence north along the boundary -136- DESCRIPTION OF COMMUNITIES 1.

De scriptiQlL._9.f_g��ccupieg.

: Kako River, left bank Mazaruni Relatively new of Wailaknapu, Situate about 1 River about 15 in 1958. established conounity now abE:.··:.lonc:L nile up the left bank.

miles from Kamarang.

Virtually resettlcncnt 2.


Persons Adventists Mission - 1 acreo or Or£�'if,aijs>�� tQ.�q lands are alienate�: Day Seventh 3.

Populatio,Q: 225.

4.

Tri be: Akawaio.

5.

Institution�: Church and school (Seventh Dny Adventists Mission).

6.

Degree of consta.l._.�c9ulturation: Fair degree.

Poor conn.and of En�lish.

7.

Economy: Minj_ng,.

:1..unbering, agriculture, labour.

8.

Local Govt: Captain and 3 councillors.

9.


�eatures: Special .lllnerindian J:.griculture Government froB Paruina, is working Field Assistant� Trails to Waranadon and Ka.r:iarang Station.

An trained at the Mon Repos School of on a deoonstration plot in this village as a 10.

Title regue§ied: Comraunal -vested in Captain and Council.

11.

Title re�Q.£!m£nde�: Freehold vested in duly constituted Local Auth�rity.

12.

13.
12.

13.

Freedons: All nornal freodons and poroissions enjoyed by Anerindian s. lu'ea regue_s the Kako watershed Creek."

to the nouth of the Arabaro Jwd_: 11Froo Tagaikapai to Bimapai in tho Mazaruni River and 14.

Coramission's re�:QggJendati� : The Cor.

:Jr.J.ission considers the area and development recoru:;:iended Following as being necessary for subsistence is the area roconnendcd:- needs.
to 'i'acaikapo.i Landing, The area connencing opposi a point opposite Bimapai Landing, between the watershed to the Eboropu Mountain the source of Chinakuru of the Arabaro the watershed at a point on the left bank Mazaruni River to thence down the Mazaruni along thence south-west the Mazaruni, Kako and Krunarang Rivers to thence along the Eboropu Creek, thence south-east to the nouth Creek, right bank Kako River, thence north-east by of the Kako River to the point of coonencenent.
Mountain River The Coru::iission also recomr:ionds that residents should have beneficial occupation tributaries above tho nouth of the Arabaro Creek.

of hunting faros in the Kako River and -137- l&§Q!iIPTION OF COMMUNITIES lifil':lli.

: PHE,LIF [' .. :;: -\-:_T LAG:::; -INCLUDING AND AT.

RO VALLEY JJl'IOKOKAPAI, KW.ll.IMARUDAI (Upper Nazaruni District) 1.

Phillipa.:ia.

: S.i.

tuate on 1.oft ban;.-c Kukui River -approximately 50 ni:es froo its oouth.
Built up within the last 15 :{cars inhabita�ts Mazaruni by the Pilgrim Holiness fron lilll.okokapai, Mission.

Present Chinowieng, and the Kukui-Ataro.

Imbaimadai, Kwaimaruoai: Situate on right bank Kukui River about 4 miles above PhillipaL .Ataro Valley: Situate on left bank Kukui River about 5 miles below PhUlipaio .Amokokapai: SHuato on left bank Kukui River about 4 oil es inland froB Phillipai o 2.
Persons o� or1:�11t��ions to whom lands are alienate.Q_: Pilgrim Holiness Mission -Lease 1.8 acres -Lease 25.0 acres.

3.

PopulatiQQ!

700.

Tribe: 5.

Institutions: Mission established Holiness Pilgrim Holiness Church and School at Phillipai.

in 1958.

Health Centre staffed and run by Pilgrim Churchu F.allelujah religion at Anokokapai.

6.

Degree of coastfal .

..Jl:9.£..Ul assistance from Mission" Very low corm.and of English generally.
turn.tio.a: with Fairly low, but ioproving Economx: Mining, labour, luobering.

agriculture, 8.

Local Govt.

: Captain and 6 councillors.

9.

.. �: J,.ren SpeciaJ_E_eatu,E poor coomunica-tio:1, Rearing Trails to ],J'.

!okokapai, Enoi Creek.

of good agricultural of livestock to Brazil, to Chinowieng,to for domestic purposes.

.Arnbaro River and to potential isolated by 10.

Title reguesi_ei!_: Comr.iunal -vested in Captain and Council.

11.
11.

Title recoru:iended: Freehold, vested in duly constituted Local Authority.

12.Freedoms: All normal frocdons and permissions enjoyed by .l\nerindians.

13.

Iirea requested: extending the rie;ht bank Kukui 11The area enclosed River."

down the Kukui River to the raouth of the Enoi Creek on by tho Kukui-Ataro watershed 14.

Connissj:OIL§_)�.�8�f11D�!J reconnended as being necessary needs.
Following is the area recomr.iended:- "'c+,i.o_ns: The Corn;iission considers the area for their subsistence and devel�pncnt /The -138- between at the mouth of an unnamed creek, right The area coI!llllencing bank Kukui River one nile below the nouth of �bageng Creek, thence up the said unnamed creek to its source; thence south along the watershed boundary Guyana-Brazil thence west alori.G the Guyana-Brazil of the Ataro River, thence north along the watershed the Ataro and Arabaro creek, left bank Kukui River, tho mouth being a little below and opposite point of this area, thence down the said unnaned to the point of commencenent.
the Kukui and Haieka Rivers to nark No.13 -source of the Ireng River - boundary the starting creek to its nouth, thence up tho Kukui River Rivers to the source of an unnamed to the source between -139- DESCRIPTION OF .. COMMUNITIES NJJ1E: CHihOWIE:JG VILL.AGE -UPPER Mf.Zii.RUNI DISTRICT.

1.

Description of� aroa occupie..9-.: Upper Ireng to Upper Maz�runi over a distance homestead.

Situate on trail fron River.


Straggling village pattern in mid-savannah of about 200 ydso Farming on hill about 1 nile from 2.

Persons or org£:Qisations Nil.

to whom lands are alienated: 3.

Population: About 100.

4.

Tribe: Akawaio.

5.

Institutions: Hallelujah religion.

6.

Degree of coastal acculturation: spoken.

Fairly low.

Very little Engli-sh 7. s. Economy: Subsistence farriing -surplus products sold to miners, Mining.

Local Govt: Captain and two councillors.

Recognised but not elected •.


by ad.ministration 9.

Mobile coDJ:.mni farms in hunting areas.

Special Features: dispersed Buildings pattern in a line.

·water supply is a shallow No medical facilities� and to Kukui-Ataro Valley.

No school.

Dry weather year on all of standard-primitive creek.

dug-out savannah Trail to Ireng Head, Chi-Chi Falls, Mt.

Ayanganna light plane airstrip.

ty spending some uonths each 10.

Title rcquestc�: CoClDunal -vested in Captain and Council.

11.
11.

Title recoI'.l!J.end&d: Authority.

Freehold, Local vested in duly constituted 12.

Freedoms: All nornal frcedqms and pornissions enjoyed by iu:leri.ridians.

13.

Area requested: Upper Mazaruni and .Haieka Rivers."

"Area above Chi-Chi Falls in the headwaters of the 14.

Cor:missioµ's being necessary poor quality of the soils.
Following recomn�tions: for subsistence and development is the area The area recommended recoBDended:-' needs in view of the is considered as at the mouth of the Waparu Creek left River, thence up the left bank Mazaruni west to the watershed Tho.

area commencing bank Haieka River, Waparu Creek to its source, thence the Kuku:i_ and Haiek� Rivers, watershed of the Ircng River -thence to tho source of the Haieka River, thence down the Haieka River to the point of connenccment.
to the Guyana-Brazil thence south along the said mark No.13 -source boundary between The Col!II1ission also reconrnends that residents should have beneficial rights unalienated Crown Lands "' Ayanganna Monn-l:2-: to use all trails and to cut dry weather farms on at the source of the Mazaruni River and at -140- DESCRIPTION Q� COMMUNITIES JY.d[�: T'TERUW!.NG -UPPER MLZARUNI DISTRICT 1. of _area occupie<1,: Description about 5' miles below Attabrao fanily group.
Isolated Si tuato on left bank Kanarang River Creek, about 36 miles up the Kan River.

2.

Persons or orf-;filliSPtj_o11� whon land.s are alienated_: None.

3.

Populatiog: About 20.

4.

Tri be: JJcawaio.

5.

Institutions: Nil.

6.

Degree of coastal acculturation: Fairly advanced.

Fair cor:mand of Eng lish.

7.

Economy: Subsistence labour.

faming, occasional 8.

Local Govt: Nil.

9.

Special Features: nunber of years.

This group has been occupying this area for a 10.


Title r�,£.Gstq.,1: No request received.

11.

Title recomwndeci: Freehold to Danny, head of family, and heirs.

12.

Freedons: !�l no�al freedons and peroissions enjoyed by ..l\J:J.erindians� 13.

Jiron requested: No request received.

14.

Conmission' family which h�s no intention considered neces8ary for their of reooving.

The following area is present needs and future developnent:- s r8COr.lDQ!

}9-a� '.
}9-a� '.

::'he settleoent is occupied by a growing at the nouth of Kauna Creek loft River, left bank Mazaruni River, thence up to its source, thence north to the source The area connencing bank Kanarang the Kauna Creek of an unnaraed tributary, down tho said unnamed tributary tho Meruwang·creek River to the point of coonencenent.

right bank Meruwang Creek, thence to its nouth, thence down to its nouth, thence up the Kaoarang -141- DESCRIPTION Q!
COMMUNITIES � : Pi'..RUIM/1 VIL:ULGE, INCLUDING KUMBIATA AND L.LIJ,MANG - (Upper Mazaruni District) 1.

Description Qf__ area occu.Ei_ed: Paruina: Situate on right bank Kamarang fron its nouth, River about 50 niles Kumbiata: on left bank Kam.

:River about 15 miles up river Situate from Paruina.

i'..lianang: on right bank Kam:River opposite Situate Occupation Great Falls, the greater Paruina.

extends from Attabrao concentration being at Kunbiata.
Creek to Kanarang 2. or organisg.tions Persons Adventists Lease No.976/56 -11 acres at Paruima Mission -Pernission • to whon lands are alienated: Day Seventh No.19579 -150 acres at Paruioa.

Populatiog: .

About 500.

4.

Tribe: Arekuna.

Institutions: established staffed by S.D.A.).

in 1934.

Church Airstrip.

and school (Seventh Police outpost, Health Clinic (stocked and Day Adventist).

Mission 6.

Degree quoastal §:..q,_£_ul turat:i.Qn: Fairly advanced.

Good coranand of English language, some Spanish.


7.

Econon__y: Mining, lumbering, agriculture.

8.

Local Govi: Captain and 5 councillors.

9.

Special Feat2.r.�s: This village is situate very hilly, soils and has always had a tradition There is a good water supply and hydro-power of the village at Paruima trails to Warar:i.adon and Kako Rivor.

in an area of good, but of agriculture.

within {:mile potential River Falls.

Three trails to Venezuela, 10.


Title requested: Cor:1nunal -vested in Captain and Council.

11.

Title recofilnended: Freehold vested in duly constituted Local �uthority.

12.

Freedons: 1�11 normal freedons and pero.issio ns enjoyed by limerindians.

13.

1',;rea requested: River fron the Attabrao Paruina River watershed."

"The area enclosed by the watershed of tho Karaarang Creek to the Venezuelan border including the 14.
Connission's recoElmonclations: area necessary The Connission and developnent needs:- for subsistence considers the following /The -142- Creek� River, thence at the nouth of the Attabrao The area commencing right bank Kamnrang River, left bank Mazaruni up the Attabrao Cre�k to the top of the Attabrao Falls, thence south along the watershed Guyana-Venezuelan border, thence north-west along the Guyana-Venezuelan border to the source of tho Wenanu River, thence east alone the boundary Mountain, to Holitipu District Ubai Creek, left bank Kanaranc River, thence down the Ubai Creek to its nouth, thence down the Kamarang River to the point of coI!l.r.1ence�ent.
of the existing thence to the source of the of the Kanarang River to the Upper Mazaruni.

-143- � : KJJ:KL"tll' Ji.JVIERDIDIJ.J"\J VILLAGE - WENAMU RIVER 1. of ��ea occµpied: Description A scattered the Tshuau and Wonamu h.ivers.

Houses within an area of approximately 1 sq.

oile.

Sooe faros are situate village at the junction on the left bank Wenanu River.

of 2.

Persons Adventist Mission.

or o:r.&§n:5.sRtions to whoo lands are alienated: Seventh Day 3.

Population: 175.

4.

Tribe: Akawaio.

5.


Institutions: outpost.

Recently established Mission.

Church and School (Seventh Day Adventist).

Police 6.

Degree of coastal acculturatiQU: the young people.

Older residents speak Spanish.

Fairly low.

English is spoken by · 7.

Economy: Mining, subsistence agriculture.

s. Local Govt: Captain and throe councillors.

9.

Special Features: Ek:reku.

Regular contact with Venezuelans.

Light aircraft and airstrip.

Tr�ls to Paruioa 10.


Title requested: Coonunal - vested in Captain ahd Council.

11.

Title recornoended: Freehold vested in duly constituted Local Authority.

12.

Freedoms: All noroal freedoos and peroissions enjoyed by .Arierindians.

13.

Area requested: river to the escarpBent with hunting "Fron Wena.Du Head to Pakara.r:ipa rights above the escarpnen froo the Mountain and �."

14.
14.

Connissio.n' requested be adequate s reconnendation.§..E_ The area reconnended is less than that at 13 above.

The Coonission area to considers the following for present needs and future development:- at the nouth of the Tshuau River, The area coooencing right bank Wenaou River, right bank Cuyuni River, thence up the Tshuau River to its source, thence west along the of the Paruina, River to the source of the Wenanu watershed River, thence down the Wenaou River to the point of coraoencemcnt.
-144- DESCRIPTION_OF COMMUNITIES NJJIF:':l: LB.J.U VILLl.G E -WENJ,MU RIVER 1. of area occupied: Situate near the mouth of tho l.rau Description River, right bank Wenanu River -33 niles up.

Conpact village of 10 houses.

2.

Persons or organisations to whom lands arc alicn�t�..Q.: Population: 80.

4.

Tri be: 1.k:awaio.

5.

Institutions: Mission.

Church and school (Lnglican) .

Recently established 6.

De,g-ree of coastal accul tur.

:::t_ion: Fairly low.

1.

Economy: Mining, subsistence agriculture.


8.

Local Govt: Captain a11d two councillors (unofficial).

9.

Special Features: 10.

Title requested: Communal vested in Captain and Council.

11.

Title recor:men Authority.

ded: Freehold Local vested in duly constituted 12.

13.

Freedons: All nornal freodons and pernissions enjoyed by lunerindians.

krea requested: and back to the escarpment."

"''ron Arawai Falls to Muruwawe River on tho Wenamu 14.
Comnission's requested adequate the area recorunended:- rocomnendations; The area recoDDended is less than that this area to be at 13 above.

The Cor.mission considers for present needs and future developnent.

Following-is at tho nouth of the Muruwawe The area connencing right bank Wenanu River, thence up the Muruwawe the edge of the escarpncnt, thence of the escarpoent River to its nouth, thence down point of commcncencnt.
River to south along the edge to tho l�rau River, thence down the Arau the Wenanu River to the River, -145- DESCRIPTION OF COMMUNITIES �: 1.Wl.RAPLTI SETTLEMENT - CUYUNI RIVER 1.

Description below Urluowra of area occupied: Situate River -178 miles up.

A group of 6 houses.

on right bank Cuyuni River, 2.

Persons or organisations to whon lands are alienat_oq.

: 3.

Population: 13 4.

Tri be: JJcawaio.

5.

Institutions: Nil.

6.

Degree of coastal acculturat�: Fairly low.

7.


Econooy: Mining, subsistence agriculture.

8.

Local Govt: Nil.

9.

Special Features: Nil.

10.

Title requested: Invididual.

11.

Title recorinended: Freehold to Peter Schultz, head of faL1ily.

12.Freedoms: f�l nornal freedoos and pernissions enjoyed by Amerindians.

13.

Area requested: Tariapau Creek extending back to the escarpnent."
"The Cuyuni River frontage froo Rapantie Creek to 14. reconmcndations: has no intention ComL1ission's growing family which reconnerided it adequate Cor.1I.

'.lission considers development.

Following is less than that requested is the area reconnended: .

.

of renoving.

The area at 13 above, but for present needs and future the This settlenent is occupied by a The area cornnencing at �warapati Cuyuni River, thence two oiles above and two miles below and inland to tho escarpment.
settlenent right bank -146-- .Af.JAW.&{, WARRAU, CARIB COMMlTNITIE9.

2590 'I'hero aTe no distinct tribal areas occupied by Caribs, Warraus or Arawo.ks.

Grotips of each tribe are found in coastland districts Farabee( 1 throughout the country quite often intermixe d. According to \he Arawak:2 bcJ.ong to the Essequibo occupying fr0m the Venezuelan boundary to tLc, l,estern bank of the Essequibo river.

We might assm1e t�:sn t:10.t the !..rawaks of Demerara and Berbice are eoigrants from th,) Essequib0.
"They are said to be a short, hardy race of fishermen Of the Warraus Crooka1(2) writes: the inhabiting low, wet, marshy places adjacent to the sea.

They are noted for their boat building.

They live on crabs and fish."

The Warraus are mainly found in the lower.


re1:tshes of the L'lain rivers of the North West District as well as in the lower Moruca and Pomeroon areas witlµn close proximity to the sea, Some Warraus are found at sorae distance inland, for exanple, those at Orealla to the Caribs In Thurn(3) observes: With respect 56 miles up the Corentyne river.

"They are peculi.ar among the tribes in that they occupy no special district, but are scattered nore or less thickly through the country."
NORTH WEST DIST!(JC�.::..,..

�QWEJL..�.ARIM} ..:.L THE ARUKA AND THEIR TRIBUTATIES: 260.

'l'here are nore Warraus than Arawaks in this area but a large number of tho .Ar:!erindi'J.ns are of mixed origin, The presence of enterprising Development impact on .Amerindian non-Anerindiun farners in the area and the Land Proj•)cts rec;:;r:tly started are making a sure, if slow agricultur�.
There are some Producers' Cooperative Societies not al:i. of which are exclusively .Anerindian, Total .Ar;ierindian populatio:1 is about 2,250.

261.
261.

This is an area of exclusive Carib occupation the settlelilents ol Rod R;_ll and Koriabo on the Barima river, and Waikrebi, Kokerite is about 600. and Chinese Landing on the Barama, The population including (1)Farabee, (2) Crookal, W.C. - The Central Arawaks L. (3) Im Thurn, E.F. - .Among the Indians of Guiana, /THE UPPER WAINI AND MORUCA: -147- THE UPPER WAlNI AND MORUCA: 262.
In the Upper Waini are the Akawaio settlement of Kwabanna, the Arawak settlement at Little Kaniaballi, and the Warrau settlement of Waropoko-Morebo-Alaka.

263.Santa Rosa on the Moruca river, is generally acknowledged as the most coastally acculturated of Amerindian cor.ll'!lunities.
Institutions there include a Roman Catholic Church, Roman Catholic convent, producer and consuraer co-operatives, community centre, village market, district adninistrative office, cottage hospital, government rest shelter, agricultural station, dispensary, post office etc.

There are five shops owned by Amerindians· thcuselvos.

The population is about 3,000, the largest concentrated Amerindian corlli1unity.

Arawaks are predominant and the older ones are Spanish speaking.
There are also Warraus, the majority of whom are at Mora, about two miles below Santa Rosao The economy is mainly agriculture, and mining and labour outside of the district.

Poor comounication was at one time a ·drawback to the area but there are now weekly mail and transport services to connect the Pomeroon River Service.

A self-help airstrip is under construction.

264.


There is a 10 year old Governnent .Agricultural Project along the road joining Kwnaka on the Moruca with Kwabanna on the Waini and although it is felt that production for markets has not come up to expectation, this venture is still regarded as a significant pilot project.

265.

Ten milA� down the Moruca River from Santa Rosa is Wara.CTuri, a Warrau community of about 1,200 people.

A self-help road is being built to connect the two places.
A quantity of coffee and copra is produced at Waranuri but there is need for better agricultural methods and better organisation if production is to show any marked improvement.

There is a lot of Waramuri labour on the Pomeroon grants, and many far:J.ilies maintain themselves in this manner.

The people have .also retained their maritime tendencies.
They are good fishermen, do a lot of fishing in the sea and sell their catch in the Upper Moruca and lower Pomeroon; but a,eain, better methods of fishing and the organisation of proper markets are essential to improve this section of the economy.

/The -148- The St. Janes Mission is over 100 years old, but probably because 1 of the absenqe of a resident p:i:·iGst until 12 years ago the degree of acculturation is less than in the neighbouring communities of Wakapau.

and Santa Rosa.

MANAW.i\RIN: 266.


The 11'.

:anawarin Ri vcr area is a settler0.ent of Cari bs and a few Warraus.

Total :popuJ .. ation is about 250.

The St. Nicholas Anglican school was s-'cartod there in 1943.

These people were originally inhabitants of Kairimap, Poneroon, who used the Manawarin river as a fishing ca.mp.

It is an area of limited natural resources productive of a poor quality savannah fish.
Lots along the Kumaka-Kwaba nna Road have been made avnilable for Mane.warin residents, but although quite a number· of faoilies have been attracted there the najority of the population still prefer to renain where they are.

W i'.JCAP AU: 267.

Wakapau is predor.rinantly an area of savannah island settlements and is near to the sea.

There is a population of about 1100.

The St. Lucia..� Anglican Church has been established there for over 100 years, This is another area with very limited resources.
Farming is mainly subsistence and the r:i.ajori ty of 1:.1en seek manual work outside of the area, in the Pomeroon or timber &rants of other parts of the country.

Arawaks are predominant here but there is a nULJ.ber of Warraus in the :Koria, a branch of the Wakapau.

A few Caribs from the Manawarin are also found there.

A co-operative shop was established about 10 years ngo and there is also a health clinic which is not yet completed.

POMEROON: 268.
POMEROON: 268.

There are four aain Amerindian colilr:luni ties in the Pomeroon.

Two of these, Akawini and Kairimap, have a predominantly Carib population.

Akawini is another savannah-island settlenent area where fish is abundant.

There is timber on the mainland.

The St. Cqad's Anglican Mission is about 40 years old but a resident priest has never been stationed there.

The Asscnblies of God have recently established a church and the Governnent has built a school.

Population is over 300.


There are trails to the Pomeroon and Wakapau.

/The -149- 269.The other predominantly Carib area, Kairimap, has about 500 people.

Logging has for a long tiQe been the main source of cash for inhabitants.

Other forest industries include cutting and selling wallaba poles and troolie; sales are made on the Essequibo coast.

There are trails from the .Arunanai Creek to Supenaam and from the Warakabra Creek to .Akawini.
There are fertile soils along the Issororo River which is badly in need of clearing.

A few residents from.Kairimap and Kabakaburi have gone to live at Issororo but others have only been making farms there.

270.Three miles below Kairimap is Kabakaburi with a mixed Arawak and Carib population of about 750.

Like Kairimap, the economy has been based on logging and lumbering £or a very long time.

The two areas have been supplying the four sawmills in the river fo+ the greater part of this century.
But quite a number of men have recently been leaving the district to work and mine in other areas.

The Mission, St. Matthias, is over a hundred years old and there is a strong educational background.

Acculturation is almost qomplete mainly due to the presence of the nearby Pickersgill non-Amerindian coomuni ty.

271.Further down river at Siriki is another Arawak community.

Creek There are many East Indians in their midst.

From Dutchman's there is a trail to Tapakuma on along this trail.
A farmers' co-operative There are about 250 .Amerindians� and logging and farming is functioning here.

is being carried THE ESSEQUIBO DISTRICT·: 272.The Lake District has predominantly Arawak settlements though there are Caribs at Bethany and Capoey.

The main economy in this district is logging and lumbering.

Thero is constant contact with the coast.

Tapakuma and Mainstay-Wyaka have benefi tad 'fr6i::i ·1;he road system provided by the Tapakuma project.
Bethany and Machabo are served by the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Capoey by the Methodist, Tapakuma and Mainstay-Wyaka by tho Anglican.

The total population is around 1,000.

DEMERARJ.

AND BERBICEJ.


: 273.There are four main .llmerindian settlemen�s in Demerara: The Arawak settlements of Santa-aritak on the Deoerara River.and /st.Cuthbert'3 -150- St. Cuthbert' s on the Mahaica; the raixed L.rawak-Warrau-Carib settlement at St. Francis, }fohaicony, and the Mabora settler:ient at Great Falls up the Demerara River.

Amerindian in the population Deraerara is about 1,100.

274.

In the Berbice River, Wikki and Hururu, both Arawak settlencnts, have 250 and 60 people respectively.
Lo-ggi.ng is the oain econooy.

There is a regular steru�er and launch service from New .Amsterdam to these areas.

Orealla is about 56 niles up the Cor0ntyne river and 8 railes further up is Siparuta.

Both are logging coonunities, coriprising of Arawaks and Warraus.

Together the two comnunities have about 1,150 people.

275.
275.

The following is a list of coomunities and groups about which 'Specific Recor.n:uendations' have been nade:- COMMUNITY TRIBE L,AKE DISTRICT -ESSEQUIBO: Bethany Mashabo Capoey Mainstay/Wyaka Tapakuoa POMEROON DISTRICT: Kairioap Kabakaburi Siriki 1.Jcawini Wakapau A,C.

ii.

A,C.

A A C ,A. A,C.

A C, A, W. A,C,W.

NORTH WEST liMERINDIAN DISTRICT: C w Manawarin Waraouri Santa Rosa 11.sakata W.f .. INI RIVER: Kwabanna Little Kaniaballi -Small) Troolie Ck. )
Waropoko, Morebo, Ju.aka 11., W. 1, Ak •• A w /BluUiM.l, RIVER: -151- COMMUNITY RI VER : BAR.AMA Waikr'3bi Kokerite Chinese Landing NORTH WEST DISTRICT: MabarUI:1a Hill Barabina, Koberima Tobago a-.l Wauna Hills · · Bunbury Hill Wauna/Whi te Creek Aruau River Hotakwai Hobodia Ka.nwata Hill B.ARIMA RIVER: Red Hill Koriabo K/J.ITUM.A RIVER: Sebai DEMERlffif.

RIVER : Sant a/ Aritak Mabora MJJIAICA RIVI.f: St. Cuthbert's MJJIJJ.ICONY RIVER: TRIBE C C C ll W,A,C.

w W,A.

W, A. W, A, C. A,W,C w C C W,A,C.


A Ale., A.

\ St. Francis A,W,C.

BERBIC E RIVER: Wikki Hururu Hittia CORENTYNE RIVER: A A A Orealla/Sipuruta A,W.

CUYUiIT RIVER: Kurutuku C Legend:­ ,_ /1 C Arawak Carib W Warrau .Ak - Akawaio -152- DESCRIPTION OF�COMMUNITIES l!Qill_ : BETHi'.NY VILLli.GE -ESSEQUIBO COJ.ST.

1. of area occupied: Description River loft bank Supenaa.I'l Tapakuna depth of 1 mile on both banks.
Creek east of Lrahuria Situate on the left bank l�ahuria River about 8 oiles froo its nouth from tot mile west of Arahuria with a 2.

Persons in the name of J.B. Beckner.

or organisations to whon lands are alienated,: Grant No.4471 3.

Population: 39 fanilies.-212.

4.

Tribe: Arawaks: Caribs.

5.

Institutions: in 1911. established School, Church (Seventh Day Ldventists).

Mission 6.

Degree of coastal by both children acculturati.Q.U: and adults.

Fairly advanced.

English is spoken 7.

8.


Economy: Logcing, faroing -cor:u.�ercial and subsistonce -casual labour.

Local Govt: Captain and 3 councillors (established in 1968).

9.

Special there soons to be no· close Features: Trail connecting contact.

this villar,0 with Me.

rhabo but 10.

Title requested: Connunal vested in Captain and councillors.

11.

Title recoomended: Freehold vestoQ in duly constituted Local Authority.

12.

Freedoos: Nornal freedoos and peroissions enjoyed by Aoerindians.

13.
13.

From mouth of the Tapakuna Area requested: SupenaaEJ River to the Kairuni Creek 5 miles on both banks of the River.

Supenaan Creek, left bank 14. reconmcndations: Connission's request at 13 above to include the .Amerindian Comnunity Supenaam recomflended needs and ,:uture for freehold River.
The Co",mission The CoI'lL'lission the right bank of the Supenaai:i River,as the cannot support is established considers title as being necessary on tho left bank of the the following area which is for subsistence developnent.
Following is the area rocoomended:- Tho area corrmcncing at a point on tho left bank Supenaar1 River about it miles below the mouth of the li.rahuria River, tho i'..rahuria thence north alone the We.tor Ri vcr shed between and Tapakuma of the Creek, thence west along the watorsheds Ji.rahuria SekenaaI'l watershed Supenaam River, thence down of cor:unenccoent, save the Supenaam and except all ali0nated lands.
between the and Ituribisi and Sekeleli Rivers to the River to thG point Rivers, thence south along the -153- DESCRIPTIQ1t.9F COMMUNITIES �: r".f.SHJU30 VILLAGE (ESSEQUIBO COAST) 1. on.th� right bank Ma$hapo of area occupied: Situate River, and described point of the Ituribisi Description Creek, right bank Ituribisi North: From the eastern along tho lake 5 miles to the west; South: From the southernmost point of the western boundary boundary: Ikuraka the �rthern boundary River 5 miles to the south: West: From .the western point of 5 miles to the south, an area of 25 square miles.
as follows: Lake parallel point of the east or along the_ to the southernnost East:.·From the Ituribisi Lake parallel or.

2.

Persons or orrranisations to whom lands are alienated: Nil.

.3.

Population: 22 far;iilies 97.

4.

Tribe: Arawak.

5.

Institutions: Mission.

Church, school ( Seventh Day Adventists).

Long established 6.

Degree of coastal acculturai;].-2,U: by both children and adults.

Fairly advanced.

Ehglish is spoken 7.

Econony: Logging and subsistence agricultur e. 8.


Local Governnent: Captain and 4 councillo rs.

9.

Special Features: with coast.

Easy comnunication 10.

Title requested: Cor.munal -vested in Captain and Councillors.

11.

Title recommended: J,.uthori ty.

· Freehold -vested in duly consti tute.d Loe .

.

;µ· 12.

Freedoms: · N·ornal freedoms and permissions enjoyed l:?y AmeI'.i.ndians.

13. lu>ea requested: As at 1.

25 square miles. '

; 14.

�ission' s recommendations: to the soil survey map.
The request at 13 above is adequate area recomnondod:- for subsistence needs, is supported.

This is an area of poor· soil according for an area which Following isthe at a point on the right bank Ituribist River, thence south and west along the Ituribisi The area connencing River opposite Ikuraka l;letweon tho watershEid .to a point opposite Arapiako.

River_, thence north creek, right bank Ituribisi unnamed creek to its mouth, thence down the Ituribisi River to the point of cora.nenceDont.
the source of the Truli River, right bank to the source of an unna.i:10d River, thence down the said and Supenaam Rivers -154- DESCRIPTION OF COMMUNITIES �: Cil.POEY il.MERINDIJ,.N SETTLEMENT (ESSEQUIBO COAST).

l. of aroa occupied: Description Lake, about 2 oiles in tho rear of Pln.

Little .b.ffiance, and Mocha with depths varyine bank.

Both eas.t and wost banks .of the Capoey Westfield from t mile to 2t !Jiles on the western 2.

Persons Church - 5 acres.


or organisations to whom lands are alienated: Methodist Population: 200 -33 fanilies.

4.

Tribe: Arawak, Carib.

5.

Institutions: School and Church (Methodist).

Long established Mission.

6.

Degree of coastal acculturatio�: children q.r1d adults.

Advanced.

English is spoken by both 7.

Econony: Logeing, farning.

subsistence 8.

Local Govt: Captain and 3 councillors.

9.

Special F'eatures: of dirt road f'ron Lake to Public Road.

.
.

Within very easy reach of Essequibo Coast by vi!

10.

Title reque§ted: Cor:rr:1unal -vested in Captain and Councillors.

11.

Title reconnonded: 1\uthori ty.

Freehold Local vested in duly constituted 12.

Freedons: Road.

1..11 noroal freodoos Right of passage to Anna Regina and froo Red Lock to Publ·ic and permissions enjoyed by .llnerindians.

13.

Area requested: 2 niles north of Mary Point -12t miles east to west.

50 sq.

miles.

2 niles south of Mary Point - 14.


Comnission' s recm:u:10ndations: to .the soil survey nap.

The CotJI.1ission for freehold is the area recor;ipended:- title as necessary for their subsistence considers the area recoo.r:iend€d needs.
Followine This is an area of poor soil according at the oouth of the Paray River, left bank The area connencing Tapakuna River, thence up the Paray River to its source, thence south-south-east to the source of the Ikuraka River thence north-cast Lake, thence along the eastern drainage canal to a point opposite Colunbia save and except all alienated shore of the lake to the nain to the south-eastern corner canal, thence north by west along the oain drainage the south-western corner of Estates, thence west by south to the point of corunencenont, of the Capoey lands.
As the Capoey Lake is part of the nain irrigation systcns of the Tapakuna project it should be excluded residents should have bonoficial use of it.

fron this area, but -155- DESCRIPTION QF COMMUNITIES �: MAINSTJ1Y-WYAKA 11'JIB 1'JlE.A ( ESSEQUIBO COAST) 1.

Description Mainstay an area of approximately of area o"ccUJ?�: Mainstay Lake and Wyaka -·on the eastern 4 square railcs.

... on the northern bapk of the bank of the Tapakuoa Lake - 2.

�ns or organisations.

to.

wJm lands are alienat2£.


: M_ain.stay - Incorporated Trustees of the Church in the Diocese of Guyana.

3.

Population: 200.

4.

Tribe: Arawak.

Institutions: Church, School (Anglican); GovorI111ent Youth Caop.

6.

DeR:reo ·of coastal acculturation: children and adults.

Advanced.English is spok:en by both.

7.

Econom.x: Making of Wallaba poles, r1inor tinber, casual ltJ,bour •.

s. Local Govt: Captain and Council.

9.

Features: Wyaka-Mainstay Ltd� , Land Society in 1967.

137.
137.

28 acres of Crown Lands "'."

.lllock: '.G '.

Anna Special registered Regina.

A jeep road connecting to Dawa, St.

Deny's Mission Cooperative with Wyaka.

Network and Anna Regina.

Mainstay of roads 10.

Title rfl9,Y.e:TI.£s1: Connunal -vested in Captain and Councillors.

11.

Title recom.i:i.ended: Authority.

Freehold vested in duly constituted Local ·12.

Use of Interior Freedoms: and other water-ways enjoyed by Jl.I!lerindians.
roads, passage through • .All other normal freedoms and all caµals, creeks pernissioµs 13.

Area requested: 25 sq.

niles.

14.

Commission's recornnendations: of this area the Commission considers as b·eing necessary Following is the area rcccirnr.1ended Owing to the po�r soil and �W.aI1PY nature the area reconmended needs of thG residents.
for tho subsistence :- corner of Columbia at Red Lock, Tapakuna Irrieation·· Schene, The area corir.lencine thence· south oy east along the nain canal to a point opposite the south�wostern south to tho mouth of the Paray River, left bank River, thence riorth.:.

:..east .

Tapakuma .

Lake to Red Lock water path, thence along··the Reel Lock -..,ater path save and except all alienated to the point of coIT1Dencemcrit, lands.
to the south-east corner of the shore of the Tapak?una Estates, thence wost by by the eastern Lake, thence: Tapakuma ' As· the Tapakuna and Reliance irrigation from.this area, b\).t residents systebof the Tapakuna Lakes form part of the main ·Project, th1y should be.excluded u.se of them.

should haye beneficial -156- DESCRIPTION OF COMMUNITIES �: TfJ'JJCUMA JJ-IBRINDILN SETTLEMENT -ST.

DENY'S MISSION - ES.SE QUI BO COLST 1.


Description of area occupied: River for about 7 niles fron the Tapakuma Creek with a depth of 3 niles.

Right and left banks of the Tapaku.ma Lake shore to the Arisau 2.

Persons Trustees of the Church in tho Diocese of Guyana -Lease - 5 acres.

to wpon lands are alienated: or organisations Incorporated 3.

Population: 320 - 47 families.

4.

Tribe: Arawak.

5.

Institutions: Church, School (J:..nglican).

Long established Mission.

6.


Degree of coastal acculturatio�: children and adults.

li.dvanced English is spoken by_ both 7.

Economy: Logging labour.

below Dawa; lunbering above Dawa; fishing, casual 8.

Local Govt: Captain and 3 councillors.

9.

Features: area, thus improving Special fishing non-.l\r.1.erindi·ans have been living happily nUDber of years.

Tapakuna project has provided new roads, increased the econony of the area.

A number of ar;J.ong Jinerindians for a 10.


Title requested: Coru.iunal -vesteQ in Captain and CounciJ.

11.

Ti tlo recorIDended : Freehold vested in duly constituted Local Authority.- 12.

Freedoms: li.11 norr.ial freedons and pernissions enjoyed by 11.merindians.

13.
13.

Area requested: on the south by the Dredge Creek (Manikuro the Main Canal; on the wost by the Arpiako River, 11 "The area bounded on the north by the Supenaam River; Creek); on the east by 14. recor.1r1endatioE.§_: Commission's according reconmended for freehold needs of the residents.

Following to the_ soil survey t1ap.

The Connission title as being necessary considers the area for tho subsistence is the area recomnended:- This is an area of poor soils and swanps thence along the.
southern to the south-eastern shores of the Tapakuna Lake to its north-western at the nouth of the Paray River, left bank The area_connencing Tapakuna River, thence north-east corner of the Tapakuna Lake, western corner, thence west for approximately to the source of the Kununaballi River, thence clown the Kw:mnaballi ·-thence down the Tapakuma Creek thence ·up the Curuaturi east to the source of the Paray River, thence down the Paray River to the point of com1cnccmEmt, lands, Dawa Pumping Station, roads, Public Works etc, Ri vcr i;o the nouth of the Curuaturi Creek to its source,, thence Creek, right bank Tapakuri.a 5 miles, thence south Creek to its nouth, and save and except all alienated �s tho Tapakuraa Tapakuna Project, use of it.
should have beneficial Lake forms part of the nain irrigation systen of the it should be excluded from this area, but residents -157- DESCRIPTION Q� COMMUNITIES NI1ME: KAIRH1f..P -POMEROON RIVER (ST. MONICJ.

MISSION) 1.

Description right bank Pomeroon River, left bank Pomaroon areas for an approximate River •.
of area occupied: Extending southwards River about 19 miles above Charity from Yawara.ni Creek, to Issororo and War aka bra ·River including the Kairfo.ap depth of 5 miles on both banks of the Pomeroon 2.

Persons or organisations Trustees and possibly of the Church in the Diocese area held by J. Shew for quarrying.

to whoo lands are alienate�: Incorporated of Guyana.

Lease -10 acres 3.

Population: About 500.

4.

Tribe: Carib, Arawak.

5.

Institutions: School and Church (Anglican).


School established in 1940.

6.

Degree of coastal acculturation:_ Advanced children and adults.

English is spoken by both 7.

Economy: subsistence area; collecting forest products Logging, for aale.

farming, nining and labour outside the 8.

Local Govt: Captain and five councillors.

9.

Special Warakabra additional Features: Trail from Goddett's place on the .
!1kawini River to Creek on the Pomeroon link between the Pomeroon and should be developed ilkawini Rivers.

as a potential 10.

Title requested: Co0r.1unal -vested in Captain and Council.

11.

Title reconnended: Freehold vested in duly constituted �ocal Authority.

12.

Freedoms: 1�1 normal freedoms and permissions enjoyed by f.merindians.

13.

.Area requested: the "Greater The following North West Amerindian District."
is a joint request by tho Captains of "Fron the source and along the left bank of the .ll.I'apiacco to the source of the Poneroon, thence to the source of the .ll.I'awapai, thence to the junction by the left bank of the Cayuni River to the Venezuelan the point of entry of the Cayuni into Guyana.
The reservation should be bounded fron this point to the sea at Punta Playa by the Venezuelan frontier, River by the Guyanese bank of tho Pomoroon and from Punta Playa to the mouth of the Pomeroon territorial and Jxapiacco of the Arauka and Cayuni rivers and thence frontier limits, and froo thence by the left source."

rivers to the 11.I'apiacco at 14.

Comnission's excessive develop roconnendations: The area requested at 13 above is and beyond the ability of the petitioners to or ad.minister.
successfully .

the following In recorn:iending 1 Commission has ta -Gn into consideration which is increasing is situate to cater for population therefore in a highly conpctitivc reconncnded:- in nw tbors and a,tvancins area for freehold title the the fact that this group, area, and would need adequate and developoont.

The following area is lands in con.staJ.
accul ty.ration, /The -158- Creek, right at the nouth of the Yawarani The area corm.encing bank Pooeroqn Riyor, thence up the Yawaraoi Crook to its source, thence south and south-west along the watershed and i\rapiako Kairioap between the Pooeroon, the ooQth of the Issororo River the watershed along tho watershed to the point of cooncnccment Rivers thence north along the Kairioap between the Natubutura thence north and east along Rivers and Tui Tui Creek to of the Poncroon watershed and Akawini of the • Rivers thence south and Wariwaru Creeks· -159- DESCRIPTION OF COMMUNITIES NAME: KJ.J3.bKABURI MISSION (POMEROON RIVER) 1.
Description of a�ea occupied: Sixteen miles above Charity on both banks of the Pooeroon for a distance the Arapia.ko of 3 miles up ·to the Yawarami Creek, and 14 nil es up River on both banks as far as Kaoakabra Creek.

River·extending from the mouth of the Arapia.ko 2.

Persons or organisations to whom lands are alienated: Incorporated Trustees 10 acres.

of the Church in the Diocese of Guyana.

11.rapia.ko Creek - 3.

Population: About 700: 90 faoilies.

4.

Tribe: Arawak, Carib.


Institutions: established of 11.rapia.ko.

Church, School (Anglican) St. Matthias.

Both over 100 years.

Scout Troop.

Forest station at mouth 6.

Degree of coastal_acculturation: both children and adults.

Advanced.

English is spoken by 7.

Econony: collection Logging� of forest products farming, for sale.

mining and labour outside also district 8.

Local Govt: Captain and 6 councillors including two women.

9.

Featur:g,§.
9.

Featur:g,§.

Special : Area was associated over a century and is still making a significant industry.

with the tiI!lber industry for to this contribution 10.

Title re9.�2..ted: Comnunal -vested in Captain and Council.

11.

Title recoBnend�: Authority.

Freehold vested in duly constituted Local 12.

Freedoms: .All normal freedoos and permissions enjoyed by .Amerindians.

13.

.Area re.quested: 11Greater at Kairimap.

described North West .PJnerindian Area 11 j fully 14.
The area requested · In recomoending of the petitioners the following at 13 above is or· to develop area for and beyond the ability recoBDendations: Commission's excessive administer successfully.

freehold title the Connission that this group, which is increasing coastal acculturation, is situate would need developnent.
Following lands to cater for recommended:- is the area adequate has ta.ken into consideration the fact in numbers and advancing in area, and population in a highly competitive the increasing and Creek-, 1 eft 'bank the watershed of the Natubutura at the mouth of the Urasara The area cor:u:iencing Pomeroon River, thence up the Urasara Creek to its source, north 2 miles, thence west 3t miles, thence south by east and Wariwaru Creeks to between the mouth r,-C' ,.tLe Y8warani Creek, right bank Pooeroon River, thence up the Yawarami Creek to· its source, thence watershed 3t miles to the source of an unnamed River, thence down the said unnamed down the Arapiako to the point of connenceraent.
creek, left bank Arapiako creek to its I!louth, thence River to its nouth, thence up the Pomeroon of the 11.rapiako and Kairimap south by'the thence River Rivers for approxioately -160- DESCRIPTION OF COMMUNITIES �: SIRIKI (POMEROON RIVER) 1.

Description bank Ponoroon Creek, a distance of about 4 niles.
of area occupied: Six niles above Charity on the right River froo Dutchnan's Creek -up river -to Abrans' 2. or organisations :Persons nunber of plots in this area are held under Grant and/or lease both by Ji.Derindians to whon lands are alienatEis!_: and non-.Anerindians.

Very· large 3.

Populati_QQ: 250.

4.

Tribe: Arawak.

5.

Institutions: established Ronan Catholic.

Siriki -School.and Church (Ronan Catholic).

Mission around 1908.

Abraos' Creek -School (Govt.

), Church - 6.


Degree of coastal acculturation: Advanced.

English is spoken by both .children and adults.

Economy:.

Faming and logging along road referred to at 9 below.

8.

Local Govt: Captain and 4 Councillors.

9.


52 fanilies of Siriki and Abrans' Creek forned t.he Special Features: Siriki-Abrans' This group is clearing 2,000 acres of Pooeroon Group on 29th May, 1968. brown sand lands between and Tapakuna Rivers for faming on a cooperative Creek f.nerindian Agric�ltural tho basis.

A road has was contributed been cut fron Siriki to the Tapakuna River.

Labou� alnost exclusively by people fron Siriki.

10.

Title requested: 11.


Title reconrrnnded: ( i) Individual of alienation.

along the river in view of.

degr!

;)e (ii)Conditional developed for farning area.

and right of passage Title to be vested in the Cooperative Society.

Grant for about 2,000 acres referred to and froo far�ing being to at 9 above, 12 .. FreedoCTs: }.11 nornal froedons and peroissions enjoyed by Anertndians.

\ 13.

Arca requested: cooperative basis.

2,000 acres of farn lands now being cleared on a 14.
CoIJIJission's rcconnondations: As at (ii) of 11.

-161- DESCRIPTION OF COMMUNITIES �: AKJ.WINI RIVER SETTLEMENT (POMEROON RIVER) 1. llkawini River is on the left bank River 7 miles froo its mouth.

Occupation Description of area occupied: Poceroon Pariaka River approximately River and extends for about 15 oiles on both banks to the·Saramap River.

A plan of naj�r occupati Mines Department.

on is available at the Lands and at the commences 25 miles from the mouth of the llkawini 2.
Persons or organisations Trustees of the Church in the Diocese of Guyana.

to w}]_Qm lands are alienated: Incorporated 3.

Population: 325 -32 families.

4.

Tribe: Predominantly Carib; Arawak and Warrau.

5.

Institutions: Government established ·established about 40 years ago, and Assemblies about 4 years ago.).

School, Anglican Church (st. Chad's) of God (Church 6.

Degree of coastal by both children and adults.

accultur ation: Fairly advanced.

English is spoken 7.


EcOnony: Logging, fishing, farr:1ing, canoe naking.

8.

Local Govt: Captain and 5 councillors.

9. to at Kairimap The trails to Poneroon (st. Monica) Special Features: referred developed.

on hills, and _farming also the fishing ground for 11.CTerindians River.

Becau�e of the swampy nature of the area, occupation is.

is done on the mainland� The Akawini River 'is in the Poneroon residine; above St. Monica already and to Wakapau should·be· 10.
Title requested: Communal -vested in Captain and Council.

11.

Title recoiilillended: Freehold vested Authority.

Local in duly constituted 12.

Freedoms: All normal freedoms and pernissions enjoyed by Amerindians.

13, Area reguested:.

Both banks of the Akawini River.

14.

Occupation is on hills in the swanp, recommendations: Com.mission's logging while farning�; nainland.

· T:o cater for increasing southe�n boundaries of the occupied watershed and_.Wakapau Rivers.
Following between and other activities are carried on on the and the northern population to the areas should be extended the Akawini and Poneroon Rivers and the li.kawtni is_the area reco.tJI:1ended:- the Akawini .

be.tween the said watershed .at the mouth of th� Pariaka River, .

;ly.eft ..

The area commencing bank 1Jcawini River, left bank Poneroon .the watershed west along ·River, thence north-east around the .
River, tll�nce Manawarin thence down the Pariaka River to its nouth, the poiot of cor.unencenent.

to the source of the·Akawini source of the Akawini and Wakapau Rivers to the source of the Pariaka River so·u·th td' ' Ri yers,.

thence­ east along the watershed and Poceroon River thence· beh;een the .

: .
Aka1�i-ni -162- DESCRIPTION OF COMMUNITIES �: WAK.b.PAU VI1Ll1GE (NORTH WEST AMERINDIJ..N DISTRICT) 1. of area occupied: Description nouth on tho loft bank Poneroon tho Aoerindian On the Wakapau River 2 I!liles fron its River and ooro fully described in Village (Wakapau) Order No.92 of 1963 as fo_llows:- "The areas conr:iencing at the nouth of the Hana Bisai Giah Crook, direction direction thence in a westerly River, and continuing Rivers to tho watershod left bank 1lakapau along the right _bank Hana Bisai Giah Creek to its source, thence in· a southerly along tho watershed Manawarin Ri vors, thence along the watershed Rivers in an easterly south-east River, th9nce in a north-westerly point on tho right bank Wakapau River opposite Hana Bisai Giah Creek, thence acrqss of connencooont.
for about 4 niles to a the nouth of the 4 niles to a point approxinately between the wak:2.pau between the Wakapau and the Wakapau River to the point direction direction between tho Waka1)au and Akaidnni of tho nouth of tho Hana Eisai Giah Crook, left bank Wakapau and !Jcawinni 11 2.

Persons or organisations Trustees 25 acres.

of the Church in the Diocese of Guyana.

Grant No.4407 - to whoo lands are alienate�� Incorporated Population: 1100 -160 fat1ilics.

4.
4.

Tribe: Pred9ninnntly Arawak with aclr:J.ixturos of Carib and Warrau.

5.

Institutions: established established.

School, Church (Anglican); St. Lucian Mission over ioo years.

Health Centre, Co-op.

Shop recently 6.

Degree of coastal acculturatio.n: and adults.

both phildren Advanced.

English is spoken by Econooy: Cash oconooy based on proceeds coconuts, ground provision and can0e-oaking, casual labour.

froo the salo of coffee, s. � Govt: Captain and 6 councillors including one wooan.

9.
9.

Special Features: (i) The trail to the Akawini River should be developed.

(ii)Because of the swanpy nature of the area, is on hills or islands while occupation farntng is done on the nainla.nd.

10.

Title roguosted: Comnunal -vested in Captain and Council.

11.

Title recor:mended: Freehold vested in duly constituted Local Authority.

12.

Freedoms: JJ.l nornal freodons and peroission s enjoyed by J .. nerinclians.

13.
13.

Area reguested: to the right bank of the Manawarin to.tho loft bank of tho Akc..wini River."

"Extension of the boundaries of the de.clared village River fron the source, and thence -163- 14.

Connission's recor.mcndations: a portion of the area occupied residents of St. Nicholas Mission, Tho area requested by liDerindians of the Akawini River and River.
right bank Manawarin at 13 above includes Occupation is concentrated in an area of grass islands in the swanps, while farmin�, logging and on the nainiand.
other activities are carried out To cater for the increasing population, the Cof.1Ilission recornr:iends for freehold title the following area:- River, River, thence up on its left bank, then up the River to the Takatu Croek, thence up the Takatu tributary Tho area coIJ11encing at the nouth of tho Hana Bisai Giah· Creek, left bank Wakapau Rirer left bank Pomeroon to the obuth of the Manawarin thence north-west the Manawarin Creek to an.unnaned said unnar:ied tributary tributary unnamed tributary up an unnamed tributary Burahara 2 niles to an unnaoed said unnaned watershed to the point of comnencer.1ent.
to its source, Creek, thenc.e up the Burahara creek to its source, between the JJrnwini, then eastwards Manawarin thence west to the ° y Creek for approxioatel creek on its right bank thence up the on the right bank Mud Creek, thence down the said to its oouth, thence across the Mud Creek and to its source and that of an unnamed and Wakapau Rivers along the -164- DESCRIPTION QF COM:r-'fUNITIES .litJ:lli.

: ML.Nl�Wl.RIN VILLJ,GE ( St. Nicholas Mission) (NORTH WEST JJVIERINDIAN DISTRICT) 1.
D escription of area occupied: Situate right bank Moruca River about 8 niles from the nouth.

Occupation starts about 16 niles from the mouth of the Manawarin 5 niles on both banks; nost of the occupation in the Burahara Creek which is about 3 nilos from the Mission.

and extends is on islands except on the Manawarin River on the for· about 2.

Persons Trustees 5 acres.

or organisations of the Church in the Diocese Incorporated of Guyana -Pernission to whon lands are alienated: No.6879 - 3.
Population: 250.

4.

Tribe: Predominantly Carib.

5.

Instituti ons: Church, School (1.nglican).

School established in 1943.

6.

Degree of coastal both children and adults.

acculturation: Fair degree.

English is spoken by 7, Economy: Canoe-making, fishing, subsistence farming, logging.

s. Local Govt: Captain and councillors.

g. Special Provision Features: Trail to Wallaba on the Kunaka-Kwabanna Road.

for resottlenent on Kur:iaka-Kwabanna Road.

10.


Title requested: Co8nunal -vested in Captain and Council.

11.

Title recoonended: Freehold vested in duly constituted Local Authority.

12.

Freedons: 1�1 nornal freedons and pernissions enjoyed by .l.rnerindians.

13.

Area reguested: No request received.

14.Col:ll:lission's recommendations: Occupation on islands in is concentrated and on the banks of tho Burahara the swaraps along the Manawarin River Creek.
Due to the blocking of the Manawarin 'land locked' and needs access to the Kumaka-Kwabanna Road to participate in its developoent.

According map, about l/3rd of the area recomnended being relatively infertile.

The Cotu:iission following has good soil, the reciainder recoru;iends to the land capability River, this village area for freehold classifipation therefore title.
the is River, right at tho nouth of the Manawarin on its left bank, thence up the said unnaned tr�butary River to the nouth Creek to an unnaned The area coru.1encing bank Moruca River, thence up the M3.nawarin of the Takatu Creek thence up the Takatu tributary to its source, and that of an unnaned tributary bank Mud Creek, thence down the said unnamed tributary to its mouth, thence across the Mud Creek and up an unnaned tributary to its source, thence west to the Burahara along the watershed tributary thence down the Saraybay Creek and an unnamed on its left bank to a source of the Saraybay Creek to the Manawarin of the Burahara Crook, thence west on the r!ght River, thence Creek, /down -165- River to the mouth of the Sawarinap the Sawarinap between thence down the Manawarin Creek, thence north along the watershed and Er:iuthura Creeks to tho south-wost corner of the second, depth of Lot 210, .Kunaka Kwabanna along the back boundary 172 Kunaka-Kwabai:ina Haimarakabra the watershed point of coooenceBent of the second depth of Lots 210 to Road thence east to the source of the River;· thence south-east of the Haioarakabra and Manawarin and north-east alone Road, thence north-east Rivers to .the • -166- DESCRIPTION QF COMMUNITIES �: Wi'JU.MURI VILLJ.GE (NORTH WEST 1.MERINDIAN DISTRICT) 1. of area occupied: Description about 9 fliles fron its of the Haimarakabra Para Creek, right bank Moruca River -north.
Situate mouth, but occupation River and its tributaries extends on both banks -west -and on to on tho right bank Moruca River 2.

Persons Trustees Hill.

121.9 acres.

or organisations to whoo lands are alienat�_g,: Incorporated of Guyana.

On the Waramuri of the Church in the Diocese 3.

Population: Approximately 1200.

4.

Tribe: Warrau.

5.

Church and school (1:._nelican Institutions: Vicarage Centre and Health Clinic at Bacassa.

Clinic is staffed by resident nurse fron the district.

about 8 years.
about 8 years.

Co-op.

shop -about 3 years.

CorJBunity -for over 100 years).

6.

Degree of coastal acculturation: by both children and adults.

Fairly advanced.

English is spoken Economy: fishing, corial naking.

Loggine, labour, subsistence faming, coffee, copra, s. Local Govt: Captain and 6 councillors, controls area.

Mission including 3 women.

Vestry 9.

Special Features: alienated developed to avoid the narrow confines Entire village to tho Church.
The trail fron Waranuri of Waramuri of the Moruca River.

is situate on land to J.cquero should be 10.

Title reguested: Coru:Junal -vested in Captain and Council.

11.

Title recor.u:iended: Freehold vested in duly constituted Local Authority.

12.

Froedons: All nornal freedoms and pernissions enjoyed by JJ:J.erindians.

13.
13.

"The area conmencing Area requested: thence to the junction both banks of the Haimarakabra 7 niles up, thence to the source of the Haimarakabra along the Kumaka-Kwabanna Road from Lots 117 to 171, thence to the point of comnencenent of the Moruca and Haiuarakabra Rivers, along River to a point called Moyuba about at Para, R.B.

Moruca River, at Para."

River, thence 14. on islands The area requested recommendations: at 13 above includes by the people of Santa Rosa.
Occupation Coomission's part of the area occupied concentrated River and its tributaries.

Though not land locked like Manawarin this area also needs access to the Kumaka-Kwabanna in its devolopaent.

freehold being relatively title.

About l/3rd of this area has good soil, the ronainder Road to participate area for following The Com1ission reconmends the in the swanp and along the banks of Hatnarakabra -Land Capability Classification infertile Map refers.
is /The -167- Road, thence east to Kaba�oro at the south-east corner of the second The area connencing depth Lot 118, Kunaka-Kwabanna Creek, thence north-east to the source of the Para Creek, thence down the Para Creek to its �outh, right bank Moruca River, thence down the Maruca.

River to the nouth of th0 Ma.nawarin w�tershed south-western corner of the second depth Lot 172 Kunaka-Kwabanna Road, thence north-east along the back boundary point.
depth Lots to the starting River, thence south-west and north-west between along the Rivers to the and Haimaraka.bra.

the Manawarin of the second -168- J?ES.Q.�lPTION QF COMMUNITIES �: Sii..NT .t..

:-{j.S.'

.. 1..REI.

MGI,G1G.

-NORTH WEST l'JfilRINDILN DISTRICT) .... ( 1.

Descripti.Q.!LQ.

[__a�ea occu.pieg._� Situate on tho left bank Moru.ka River about 19 miles froIJ its r:iouth whore is concentrated Occupation The b0tmdarj_cs mainland.

Santa Rosa l1nerir.
Santa Rosa l1nerir.

it joins· on :i .. slands cf the area are noro fully described in the Order No.98 of 1963 as follows:- in the swanps and on the 0 l:i..a:.1 a::-::::l (1\f.lendoent) the L.tlantic Ocean.
line to tho nouth of tho Cabura Creek, left bank Haioarakabra along the left bank Crook to the nouth of tho Barakara Creek; thence "The Ju-oa situ.ate 1:i thi .. n the North West .Arwrinc1ian as Order, 1953 (No.59 of 1953), District Creek, left bank in a south-westerly direction Wainibaru.ka in a direction Districts by the l:.nerindio.n.
River; thence upwards at tho oouth of tho Caynan_or alone tho loft bank of tho Barakara corner of Lot 88,KUIJal�a-Quebanna defined COITutlencing Moru.ka River and cxtonding,thcnce straight Crook, right bank Koruka of the Hainarakabra upwards thonco in a north eastGrly western F.O.H.R.
Pollard, recorded thence along the western a straight tho left bank of tho Hainaruni Biara River, thence downwarns to the nouth of tho Bara-Bara Bara-Bara Creek, in an easterly direction source of the Cayr:·,nn loft bank of tho Caynan or Wainibaruka comnencer:ien in tho Departnont or Wainibaruka by a straight boundaries t." Creek to its oouth at the right bank alone the right bank of the Biara River Cr0ek, thence froo the oouth of tho line to the by a straight Creek; thence downwards Creek back to tho point of alone the Creek to its source; lino to the south­ Road, as shown on a Plan by 1958, Governnent Surveyor, dated 28th February, of Lands and Mines as Plan No.8277; of Lots 88 and 87 and beyond in lino to the left bank Haimaruni Creek; thence downwards along 2.
Persons or o:rgani se.tions.

Bishop -25 acres� Absolute Grant No.1301.

�ho1:1 lands are alienated,: Ronan Cl:l,tholic 3.

Populatio12: App!

'O�·�:!.natoly 3,000, 4.

Tri_g.Q_: Predoninant:!.y li:cawak, Warrau.

5.

Institutions: Church and School, Convent, Administration Hostel, Comnunity Office, Cotta.go Centre, Coop.

Shopr District Market, Governnent Mission estabJ.

:.shod in 1840� Rost Shel to!

', Post Office, Hospital, tural Station.

Dispensary, f,gricul .

6.


Degree of £9..�.S:.S}l.l turatioi;i: children and adults.

.l\.d7· ,.'"'.cod.

English is spoken by both 7.

Economy: the area.

l\gricuJ.

turo, labour in and out of the area, Bining outside 8.

Local Govt: Captain and 7 councillors.

9.

Special Features: Weekly transport Poneroon accor.u::iodate Assistant.

Governnont Advisers to e.dV:!., River service.


1..irstrip being built by self-help Corp. h resident of Canada and OXFli.M supplied planes of the Guyana J..irways and nail services .iens se-ttloc.

r :nc,:;_ 1 .

:..

'1( along the Ktmak:a-Kwabanna Road.

to connect with Agricultural to 1,.gricultural 10.

Title requested: Coi:rr:lunal -vested in Captain and Council.

/Title recorm.cnded: -169- 11.

Title recomnended: Authority.

Freehold vested in duly constituted Local 12.


Freedons: All normal freedons and permissions enjoyed by Amerindians.

13.

Area requested: Kairinap "Greater (St. Monica) for description.

North West J.nerindian District."

See CoI!ll:lission's excessive administer successfully.

recomoendations: The area requested at 13 above is · and beyond· the ability of the petitioners and to develop Occupation is concentrated on islands ded..
In view of the large population,residents in the swa.l!lps which are have · now overcrow had to spread out to the Kumaka nainland Road for faroing recomnends this area has good soil.

the following area for freehold and other activities.

The Cocmission thereforp along the Kunaka-Kwabanna title.

About half of corner of the second depth of Lot 116, Kur1aka-Kwabanna Road to the north-western at the :riouth of the Para Creek, right .. thence up the Para Creek to its source,.
Creek, thence west to the south­ fo Kabaroro (i)The area cor:inencing bank Maruca River, thence south-west eastern Road, thence by the reserve between Kwabanna of Lot 115, Kunaka-Kwabanna boundary Road to the right bank Hainaruni Hair:iaruni Creek down the Biara River to the mouth of the Bara-Bara River, thence east to the source of the Caynan River, thence down the Cayr:ian River to .. its oouth, left bank Moruca River, thence down the Mor.uca River to the point of cot1r1encooent.
· back of the• second depths of lots 115 to 213 Kumaka-Kwabanha.'

to its nouth, right bank Biara River., thence Road, thence south-west by the Lots 114 and 116, Kumaka­ Creek; thence down the corner of ·the second depth .

(ii)Area as described save and except firs.t and second depths of lots along KUI!laka-Kwabanna Road, -170- DESCRIPTION OF COJ.
','!MUNITIES � : ASAf{ATA SETTLEMENT -NORTH WEST DISTRICT 1. of area occupied: Description Asakata River, left bank Bia.ra River, left bank Baraoani River� ·right bank Waini River.

Situate about 3 niles on the left ban],<: 2.

Persons Bishop -Provisional or or anisations Lease No.871 55 for 12 acres.

to whon lands are alienated: Roman ,Catholic 3.

Population: 55 - 8 faruilies.

4.

Tribe: Arawak.

Institutions: in 1938.

Church and School (Ronan Catholic).

Mission established 6.


Degree of coastal acculturation: Fair degree.

7.

Econony: Subsistence agriculture1 logging.

8.

Local Govt: Captain only.

9.

Special Features: Isolated CoDDunity.

10.

Ti tlc requested: Coonunal, vested in Captain and Council .• 11.

Title recomoended: Authority.

Freehold vested in a duly constituted local 12.

Freedons :.

All normal freedoras and peroissions enjoyed by Amerindians.

13. firea reguested: of the J.i.ssakata River."

"An area of about 5 sq.


oiles, 3 niles from the nouth 14.

Commission's their present swanpy nature of the terrain, area necessary for their subsistence the Conoission and development.
recommendations: occupation or the area requested, The area recoonended In view of the is in excess of considers the following at the mouth of Asakata The area coooencinc Biara River, left bank Bara£.1ani River, thence up the Asakata River to its source, north-west to the source of the Marawaka Baramani River, thence down the Marawaka Creek to its ooutf, thence up the Baranani and Biara Rivers to the point of coinI!lonc erae n t • River, right bank Waini Creek, left bank thence River, left bapk -171- DESCRIPTION OF COMMUNITIES �: KWABANNA VILLAGE -Wli.INI RIVER (NORTH WEST JJ'-1:ERINDiliN DISTRICT) 1. of area occupied: Description 16 miles above the Baran.a River.
Occupation connences 17 miles fron Kumaka along the Kumaka-Kwabanna Landing, thence down the right bank Waini River to Kuiarau distance connencement.

River, a of 5 niles, thence along the Kuiarau River to the point of Situate on the right bank Waini River .

at.

a point.

Road to Kwabanna 2.

Persons Trustees 10 acres.

or organisations to whom lands are alienate1: Incorporated - No.3122 of the Church in the Diocese of Guyana -Pernission Population: 300 -58 families.

4.

Tribe: Predominantly Akawaio.

5.


Institutions: Church and School -St. Agatha's (Anglic8Jl).

Degree of coastal acculturation: by both children and adults.

Fairly advanced.

English is spoken 7.

Econoray: Farning·and logging, fishing� 8.

Local Govt: Captain and 5 councillors.

9.

Special Features: improved cargo boat catering to Kumaka-.Aruka River.

considerably On account of transport •.

The torninus for Moruca and Waini River transporting produco of M.V.
'f,rekuna 1, an auxiliary facilities, area.

has 10.

Title re guested: Connunal ,-vested in Captain and Counc�l � .

11.

Title reconmended: Freehol.d vested in duly elected Local Autho.ri ty.. 12.

Freedor.is: All nornal freedoms and peroissions enjoyed by lU:1erindians,.
13, "The area corunencing Area requested: down the right bank Waini River to the Kuiarau Creek, right b�nk Waini,.then?e along the right bank Kuiarau Cree� tQ a point at 17 miles along the Kumaka-Kwabnnna Road, thence across the road to a depth of 20 miles south."

from the Kwabanna Landing thence 14. s rcconnendE3:tions: Connission' and .administer such a large area.
Having regard to their econooy, the Coomission wou1d cater for their future requirenents:- for freehold title, The residents recoLliilends the following cannot" beneficially occupy ·area which Landing, right bank Waini Road thence south through the reserve corner of t�e .second depth of Lot.
·321, Kumaka­ froo the Kwabanna The area cor:mencing River thence down the Waini River to the nouth of the Kui(!.l'au ·River thence up the Kuin;-au River to its source, thence to the north-eastern Kwabanna 319 and Lots 320 and 322 to the south-western depth of Lot 320 Kumaka-Kwabanna Road thence south to the source of an unna.ned the said unnamed tributary River to its source, thence west to the source of the Inaitaru River, thence down the Inaitaru Waini River, thence down the Waini River to the point of connoncone:nt.
between Lots 321 and corner of the second to its mouth, thence up the Manawarin River to its mouth, right bank left bank Manawarin tributary, River thence down -172- DESCRIPTION OF COMMUNITIES �: LITTLE KANif...BJJ,LI CREEK JJIBA (WJ-;.INI RIVER) TO SMALL TROOLIE NORTH WEST DISTRICT 1.
Occupation of area occupied: Creek about 3 miles below the Barana Mouth, Description Kaniaballi Waini River and Snall Troolie Creeks, approximately above the Barar:ia Mouth, right bank Waini River, tho greatest concentration Isolated being between Little and Big Kaniaballi occupy Labba, ·Dregga and.

Snall Troolio is between faoilies the Little right bank Creek$.

Crooks.

the sane distance 2. or organisations Persons Bishop -Grant 26.286 acres: Santa Cruz Mission Creek.

Mouth -Anita Broscinio -10 acres.


Big Kaniaballi to who.!Q.

lands are alienat�: Roman Catholic -Hill at Barama.

Population: 250 -52 fanilies.

4.

Tribe·: Predoninantly Arawak.

5.

Institutions:· in 1891.

Forest station.

Church, School (Roman.Catholic).

Mission established 6.

Degree of coastal both children and adults.

acculturation: Fair deeree.

English is spok�n by 7.

Economy: LogGing, agriculture.

8.

Local Govt: Chosen ieader and 2 councillors.

9.


Special Features: 40 years, and plays an important Saw Mill at Baraoa Mouth was in operation of t.he ar�.

part in the economy for about 10.

Title requested: Cooraunal -vested in Captain and Council.

11.

Title recommended: Authority.

Freehold Local vested in a duly constituted Freedoms: All normal freedoms and permissions enjoyed by /.nerindiansf 13.Area reguested: 11From Little Kaniaballi Kuiarau depth of 15 miles".

Creek, R.B.
Creek, R.B.

Waini River a distanc.e Creek, R.B.

Waini River to of about 15 miles· with a 14, Comnission's recoI:J.mendations: The residents cannot bem,f;icially occupy ' and administer such a large area·, most of which is swamp..
The Poru:aission considers sufficient that the area reconmendecl title woi.ild be needs and for future developocnt for freehold , to satisfy their from the mouth of the Kumaruwa The area commencing Waini River, thence up the Kunaruwa south to the source of an unnar:ied Creek, right bankWaini River thence down the said unnanod creek to its mouth, thence down the Waini River to the point of coCJ.t1ence River to its source thence River right bank nentr -173- DESCRIPTION OF COMMUNITIES �: WJ..ROPOKO-ALJ:JCA, MOREBO MISSION (WAINI RIVER) -N. W. DISTRICT 1. of area occupied: Waropoko Description right bank Waropoko Baramani River, concentrated which is a branch of the left bank Morebo River by a road sone 3 or 4 miles in length.
Creek, about 4 miles above the mouth of the right bank Waini River.

population.

In addition This is the area of is connected Waropoko settlement is situate.on the to Alaka 2.

Persons or organisations Trustees at Waropoko.

Incorporated to v,Lhom lands are alienate�: of the Church in the Diocese of Guyana.

Grant No.5025 --25 acres Population: About 250 -38 families 27 - Waropoko 7 4 Alaka Morebo 4.

Tribe: Warrau.

5.

Institutions: Church and school (Anglican).

6.


Deeree of coastal acculturation: both c_hildren and adults.

Fair degree.

English is .spoken by 7.

Economy: Logging fart1ing.

and subsistence 8.

Local Govt: Captain and 4 councillors including 1 wonan councillor.

9.

Special Features: natural features area presumed to be pre-Warrau.

including This settlement is centuries old.

Interesting shell nounds, stone tool tianufacturing­ 10.

Title requested: Con::munal -vested in Captain and Council.

11.
11.

Title recommended: t'y.

Authori ' .

Freehold vested in duly constituted Local.

12.

Freedoms: Ji.11 normal freedoms and pernissions _enjoyed by ll!llerindians.

13.

Area requested: ".fin area of 20 square miles."

14.
Commission's reconcile however, come:- recommendations: the'stated area occupied would meet the needs The Commission found it difficult and requested, The area recoonended, to of this community for sone time to at the mouth of the Morebo River, left bank The area conmencing Waini River, thence down the Waini River to a point opposite the mouth of Barukabaru approxinately River, thence down the Sabaina River to the Morebo River, thence down the Morebo River to the point of conmenccment4 3f miles, thence west for 5 miles to the Sabaina Creek, thence north by west for -174- DESCRIPTION 0� COMMUNITIES - NAME: W.AIKREBI (BM.AMA RIVER) - NORTH WEST DISTRICT 1.
Description tributary Occupation concentr creek.

of area occupied: Situate on the Waikrebi Creak, a of the right bank Baraoa River about 16 niles froo its mouth.

ated on elevated land about 3 miles from mouth of 2.

Persons Trustees or organisations to of the Church in the Diocese '1..hom lands are alienate�: of Guyana.

Incorporated 3.

Population: 100.

4.

Tribe: Carib.

5.

Institutions: Church and School (Anglican).

St. Bede's Mission.

6.

Degree of coastal by both children and adults.


accul tu:rati_on: Fair degree.

English is spoken Economy: Loggins, subsistence agriculture.

s. Local Govt: Ca�tain and 5 councillors, including one wonan •.

9.

Special Features: A relatively isolated settlement; Mission to mouth of Creek which serves as an alternative passage the Crook.

trail from to 10.

Title requested: Cor:u:iunal -vested in Captain and Council.

11.

Title recoI:lI'.lended: Authority.


Freehold vested in duly constitut ed ·1ocal · 12.

Freedoms: All normal freedoms and permissions enjoyed by lil'lerindians.

13.

Area requested: inland, using their present "An area of 5t nil es alone the creek and 3 miles occupation as the nucleus."

14.

Commission's for freehold necessary area recoramendod:- rocoomendations: title is larger than the area requested, The area recommended but is considered is the for the�r needs and future development.
Following by the CQIJ!ilission at the mouth of the Apini Creek, .. -right bank The area.

conr:iencing Barama River, left bank Waini River, thence up the Apini Creek to its source, thence along the watershed Anamu and Kurapaln right bank Barama River, thence down the said unnamed its oouth, thence down the Barama River to.the point of commencement Rivers to the source of an unnamed creek creek to between • the Waikrebi, -175- DESCRIPTION OF COMMUNITIES.
!hl:fil: KOKERITE -BARA.MA RIVER -(NORTH WEST DISTRICT) (St. Columba's Mission) 1. of area occupiec:1,: Description 56 miles from its oouth.

Occupation River including Wyanamu and f.ranka areas.

Situate o.n left bank Barama Ri vor is on both banks o� the Barama 2.

Persons or organisations Trustees 10 acres.

of the Church in the Diocese to whom lands are alienated: Incorporated 7115 - of Guyana.

Permission 3.

Population: 202 -59 fa.t!lilies 40 at Wyananu 4.

Tribe: Carib.
Tribe: Carib.

12 at Kokerite 7 at Aranka Institutions: Church and School (Anglican).

- 6.

Degree of coastal English.

understood acculturatio.,!1: Fair degree.

Residents spoke and EconoCTy: Logging, subsistence farming, labour.

s. Local Govt: Captain and councillors.

9.

Special Features: communities.

Isolated group.

A centre for widely distributed 10.

Title requested: Conraunal - vested in Captain and Council.

·11, Title recommended: Authority.

Freehold vested in duly constitute d Local 12.


Freedoms: l�l normal freedoms and pernissions enjoyed by lu:nerindians- 13.Area requested: 11Fron Kuraakandi Creek L.B.

Barama River -'-45 miles from the Mouth to Pow:is Landing -about 4 days paddling frora Kokerite."
14.Cornr.i.ission's reconnendations: The area requested at 13 above is to develop or successfully.. excessive and beyond the ability of the petitioners administer good agricultural The presence scattered is the area recomnended: The area reconnended but is hindered of a school and other developments in the Barama River potential, the to this settlenent, for freehold faoilies should attract title has Following by lack of communication.
The area com.�encing at the mouth of the Maikuru Creek, left bank BaraL1a Riv�r, left bank Waini River thence up th.e Maikuru Creek to its source, unnamed said unnamed tributary River to its mouth, left bank Barama River, thence down the Barama River to the point of commencement.

thence west for lf miles to the sburce of an tributary left bank P·arapimw.
to its aouth, thence down the Parapimai River, thence down the -176- DESCRIPTION OF COMMUNITIES �: CHINES'=: LANDING (B.f'.R.1',MA RIVER) NORTH WEST DISTRICT of area occupied: Situate Description about 2t r:riles below Huri Creek which is about 36 niles from the mouth of the Baraoa River.

Occupation froo the river.

on the left bank Bara.IJa River is on high lands about t oile Persons Trustees or organisations of the Church in the Diocese of Guyana.

to "ifhpo lands are alienatfil1.

: Incorporated 1.

2.


3.

Population: 74.

Tribe: Carib.

5.

Institutions: Church (hnglican).

Established for about 12 years.

6.

Degree of coastal by both children acculturation: and adults.

Fair degree.

English is spoken 7.

Economy: Logging, labour, subsistence agriculture.

8.

Local Govt: Captain -an accepted leader.

9.

Special Features: constitute the remnant Trail to Koriabo (Barioa River).

Residents of a once flourishing gold-mining area.

10.

Title reguested: No request received.

11.


Title recoonended: Authority .

Freehold Local vested in duly constituted 12.

Freedoms: All noro.al freedoos and peroissions enjoyed by .Araeri_ndi<;1,ns.

13.

Area requested: No request received.

14.

Coooission's be awarded expansion their subsistence area recor:mended:- recoL1I!lendations: that residents the area on which they are settled with convenient land.for between the Ite and Huri Creeks.
This area would satisfy The Commission recomnends needs for sone time to come.

Following is the at Ite Landing, The area commencing left bank Waini River, thence west and south-west watershed _of the Huri Creek, thence down the Huri Creek to its mouth, left bank Barama River, thence down the Bara.ma River to the point of connencement.
River and Huri Creek to the source left bank Bara.r'.la River between Anaturi along the This area encloses between 1900 and 1914. the Tasawinni Mine wnich was worked -176- DESCRIPTION OF COMMUNITIES l!fil'1.fil: CHINES'.'

LANDING (BAR.AMA RIVER) NORTH WEST DISTRICT of area occupied: Description about 2t r;iiles below Huri Creek which is about 36 11iles from the mouth of the Barana River.

Occupation fron the river.


Situate on the left bank Barama River t r;iile is on high lands about Persons Trustees of the Chur�h in the Diocese of Guyana.

or Ol"ganisations to-whoo lands are alienatfill: Incorpor ated 1.

2.

3.

Population: 74.

Tribe: Carib.

5.

Institutions: Church (hnglican).

Established for about 12 years.

6� Degree of coastal by both children accultura and adults.

tion: Fair degree.

English is spoken 7.

Economy: Logging,·labour, subsistence agriculture.

8.
8.

Loe.al Govt: Captain - an accepted leader.

9.

Special Features: constitute the remnant of a once flourishing Trail to Koriabo (Barioa River).

Resident gold-raining area.

s 10.

Ti tlo regue§.:!;_ecl.

: No request received.

11.

12.

13.

·14.

Title recor:tr.1ended: Freehold .Authority.

vested in duly constituted Local Freedoms:· All noroal freedoos and peroissions enjoyed by Ju:rrerindians.

.A:rea requested: No request received.


Corru:iission' s recoL1I:1endations: be awarded the area on which they are settled with expansion between their subsistence area recor:ioended:- the Ite and Huri Creeks.

This area would satisfy needs for sone :time to come.
Following is the The Commission recomnends· convenient land for that residents at Ite Landing, left bank Bara.ma River· The area conmencing left bank Waini River, thence west and south-west watershed .of the Huri Creek, thence left bank Barama River, thence down the Barama River to the po.int of.

commencement.
commencement.

River.and Huri Creek to the source dowfr,the Huri Creek to its mouth, between Anaturi along the This area encloses between 1900 and 1914. the Tasawinni Mine which was worked -177- DESCRIPTION OF COMMUN1TIES �: MAB.LiRUMA HILL (JUNGLE) (NORTH WEST DISTRI_CT) of area occupied: Situate Description Creek, left bank Public Road froo Mabaruma Governnent occupied.

District, Aruka River, North West about 2 miles by Conpound.
The area is ftµ.ly on the right bank Mabaruma · Persons or organisations part of western end alienated orchards.

to whou lands are aliena�: Considerable and developed as thriving citrus 1.

2.

3.

Population: Approxinately 150.

4.

Tribe: .Lirawak.

5.

Institutions: and Roman Catholic Government for by Roman Catholic and Anglican agencies.

and by Governneni; .

established School at Mabaruna School recently Secondary Catered at Mabaruma Churches 6.

Degree of coastal and adults.


both children acculturation: Advanced.

English is spoken by· Economy: Labour on both Goverm1ent and private enterprises.

8.

Local Govt: Captain and 4 councillors including two women.

9.

Special Features: About, 22 fanilies sooe of whoo claim they are paying an annual rental roon for expansion.

Self-help to Public Road thus making access to the Governnent easier.

Mabaruna road built frora heart of the .. Jµngle occupy lands owned by Chan-A-Sues of $1.00.
No agencies at to.

Title requested: Cornr.1unal -vested in Captain and Council.

11.

Title recommended: Freehold vested in duly constituted Local Authority.

12.

Freedoos: .All normal freedoms and permissions enjoyed by .llr::lerindians.

13. fi:rea requested: Consideration for those on alienated lands.

14, the Cor�1ission recoooendations: Commission's already alienated allotments in the Wauna/White in keeping available, Amerindians occupying settled Crown Land areas.

The Cornnission portion expansion.


for future agricultural with its general private In the case of those settled that they be given Creek area as they elect or as are recoL1I:1ends on lands recoonendations that lands on which they were resident or of the swanp lands surrounding the hill should be reserved also recommends that a convenient at the time of independence be granted allotments on convenient -178- D ESCRIPTION OF COMMUNITIES � : BiillABINA, KOBARIMli.

AND Kil.IRIE HILLS (NORTH WEST DIST�ICT) 1.


Situat.e Coopound of area occupied: Description 1t wiles froo the left bank Barima River, North West District about Government and Kobarioa which as they are by fully occupied are easily identifiable, swa.t1ps.

Kairie, a smaLj.. hill lying between.these tw0 hills-is.

at present unoccupied and of Barabina Kobarina Hills on the l.eft bank Aruka· �iver, as capable of beneficial at Mabaruraa.

Barabina but is regarded occupation.

by residents separated are 2.


Persons or organisations Incorporated Trustees to whom lands are alienated: - of the Church in the Diocese of Guyana.

At Barabina· 3.

Population: 580.

4.

Tribe: Warrau, Arawak, Carib.

5.

Institutions: Church and School (Anglican) at Barabina.

6.

Degree of coastal acculturati,,Q]l: by both.children and adults.

Fairly advanced.

English is spoken 7.

Economy: Agriculture, enterprises.

labour on both eovernment and private 8.

Local Govt: Captain and 3 councillors.

9.


Special Features: using swamp lands.

Hill farming at present but residents contemplate 10.

Title requested: Comnunal vested in Captain and Council.

11.

Title recorn.mended: Freehold vested in duly constituted Locai-Autho'ri ty.

12.

Freedoms: All noroal frcedoras and permissions enjoyed by Amerindians.

13. f+rea requested: and Kairie these hills."

Hills as well as the unalienated swamp lands hetween .

"The area enbracing Kobarina Barabina 14.


Comnission's recomnendations: The Cornnission supports the· re4uest and .recommends that a convenient these hills should be reserved portion of the swaop lands surrounding for future agricultural expansion.

-179- DESCRIPTION· OF COMMUNITIES· �: TOBAGO LND W.AUN/� HILLS (NORTH WES'i' DISTRICT) 1. of area occupied: Description Koriabo River, left bank !..ruka River in the North West District.

Wauna Hill is used as a faming area by the people of Tobago Hill.
On right bank Wanaina Cre�k;· left bank 2.

Persons or organisations to whon lands arc alienat�d: 3.

Population: 14 families -70.

4.

Tribe: Warrau.

5.

6.

Institutions: Hosororo, also Government f,.gricultural station at Hosororo.

Catered for by Roman Catholic Church and school at Degree of coastal acculturation: and adults.

by both children Fairly advanced.

English is spoken 7.

Economy: Faming, labour.

8.

Local Govt: Now in its fornative by residents, accepted though not officially elected.
·stage.

There is a captain who is 9.

Special Features: 10.

Title reguested: Corrwnuial vested in Captain and Council.

11.

Title recor:urrended: Authority.

Freehold vested in a duly constituted '.Local 12.

Free·doms: All normal freodoos and pernissions enjoyed by· Aberlndians� 13.

Area requested: "An area of 300 acres of land be surveyed allocated to us for our residential uses."

and farl!ling in Block 14.


Cor:u!lission's identify freehold as the unalienated adequate convenient be reserved portion roconmendations: the 300 acres title the area referred The Commission to at 13 above.

It rElcoltlL1eil.d� for embracing Tobago and Wauna Hills as well has been unable to swamp lands between these hills which is cqnsider.ed for their needs.

The Coinrilission also recorimends-that .. a expansion.
for future agricultural of the swanp lands surrounding these hills should -180- DESCRIP-TION .QF COMMUNITIES · �: BUNBURY HILL (NORTH WEST DISTRICT ) l. Description of area occupi_gg.

: Situate Koriabo, left bank Aruka, left bank Barima, adjoining lands.

the nain on Wanaina Creek, left bank North West District 2.

Persons or organisations to whoa lands are alienat.ed: Nil.

Population: 29 families -210.

4.

Tribe: Warrau, Arawak.

5.

Institutions: ·(Ronan Catholic Served by Hosororo ).
Mission, Church and School Degree· of Coastal Accul tu.ration: Fairly advanced.

7.

Economy: Farming, labour.

8.

Local Govt: Now in its forr:iative is accepted.

stage but there is a Captain who.

9.

Special Features: swamp lands under cultivation.

112 acres Hill Land and a similar acreage of 10.

Title requested: Comr;iunal, vested in Captain and Council.

11.

Title recomnended: Freehold, vested in duly constituted Local Authority.

12.
12.

Freedoms: Jill normal freedoms and permissions enjoyed by Junerindians.

13.

Area requested: "1000 acres at Sibatoro community" .

Hill be given to the 14.

Conmission's recoIJI.

:1ends of tLe swarap lands surround future agricultural Bunbury expansion.

recomnendations: The Con.mission and Sibatoro Hills supports as well as a convenient and the re�uest ing these hills should be reserved ·portion for -181- DESCRIPTION OF COMMUNITI ES �: WJ�UNi./WHITE CREEK AREA ( NORTH WEST DISTRICT) 1.
2. of nrea occupi�: Situate on both banks of White Cree�, Description right bank Wauna Creek, left bank Koriabo River about 8 miles by road fron Mabaruma.

River, left bank Il.ru.l{a Persons or organisations Nil.

to whoo lands are alienat�j_: 3.

Population: 400.

4.

Tribe: Warrau, Arawak.

5.

6.

Institutions: Church (Roman Catholic In proxioity to Wauna Land Developoent.

School and -St. Theresa Gunzaga) Creek.

-li.kawabi Degree of coastal accul turatJ..9__u: spoke and understood English.
Fairly advanced.

Residents 7.

Econon..:l:: Faroing and labour.

8.

Local Govt: Captain and councillors.

9.

Special Fe.atures: should benefit Not within the Wauna Land Developuent from its close p�oximity.

Adequate lands Scheme, b_ut available.

10.

Title requested: Coonunal -vested in Captain and Council.

11.

·Title recomfilended: Individual.

12.

Freedor:is: JJ.l nornal freedons and peroissions enjoyed by i'.merindians.

13.
13.

"Present Lrea reguested: White Creek for 98 oeobers totalling 3,000 acres."

occupation plus an averaeo of 30 acres at 14.

Connission's reasonable it.

and supports recoonendations: The Cor.JDission considers the request -182- DESCRIPTION OF COMMUNITIES �: .ARUAU RIVER (NORTH WEST DISTRICT)(Sacred Heart Mission) 1.

Description about 22 miles from the mouth; occupation is on the Urukaikuru Wanakai of area occt!I:,ie..9:.

: Situate on left bank 11.ruka River, and tributaries of the Aruau River.
Rivers, 2. or organisations to w,hQm_ lands are alienat�.

: Roman Bishop -Lease No.A5394 -5.265 acres.

A nlli'lber of leases Persons Catholic in this area.

3.

Population: non-Amerind ian.

Mixed population of about 250, about 25% of whoo were 4.

Tribe: Warrau, .Arawak, Carib.

5.

Institution&: Mission establis School and Church -Ronan Catholic hed in 1947.

(Sacred Heart).· 6.

Degree of coastal by both children and adults.

acculturati.Q.Q: • Fairly advanced.

English is spoken 7.


Economy: .Agric4lture -mainly subsistence; labour.

8.

Local Govt: Nil.

9.

Special Features: lacked cohesion Cornnission ahd: were palpably gained the impression that residents individualistic in their outlook.

10.

· Title requested: ..

Individual 11.

Title recomraended: Individual.

• l ·· ' '• I 12.

Freedoms: .AJ,.l_, normal freedons and perraissions enjoyed by Ju:ier�ndi�ns.'

· .. 13.

Area requested: 14.


CJmoission's reco:r:JIJendations: DESCRIPTION OF COMMUNITIES NAME: HOTlJCWJJ -JJWKJ.

RIVER (NORTH WEST DISTRICT) (st. Catherine's Mission) 1. of area occupied: Description r.iiles fror.i its raouth.

Jccupation River extending Mission with a depth of 30 rods on the left bank and about 100 rods on the right bank.

is on both banks of the Aruka about 300 rods above and about 200 ro'ds below the on left bank .Aruka, about 23 Situate 2.
Persons or organisations t�m l�nds are alienat.£Q._: (i)Incorporated Perr.iission No.1952.4 10 acres.

Trustees of the Church in tho Diocese of Guyana.

(ii)Several leases.

Population: 150 -21 fanilies.

4.

Tribe: Warrau.

5.

Institutions: School and Church (Anglican).

6.

Degree of coastal by both children acculturation: and adults.

Fairly advanced.

English is spoken 7.

Econooy: 1..griculture, logging.

8.

Local Govt: Captain and 2 councillors.

9.


Special Features: and Credit Society .Amerindians.

This organisation There is on the right whose meobers seen to be Amerindians has a lease of 9.449 acres.· and non­ Thrift bank Aruka the Equitable 10.

Title requested: Communal -vested in Captain and Council.

• ,.l 11.

Title recoLll:lended: Freehold 1,.uthority.

Local -vested in duly constituted 12.

Freedoms: All ncrr:ial freedoos and pernissions enjoyed by Am�rindians.
13.- 14, uon the North by Warakabair.ia A.rea requested: River; on the south by Left Bank Aruka River: on the East· by Left Bank Barioa River; on the West by Hotaquai River, North West District Creek, left bank Creek; R.B .. Arawau .

.. " Aruka.
Comraiss�on's excessive The Commission subsiste and residents recommendations: The area requested cannot beneficially the following at 13 above is occupy or adninister i for t�eir area to be adequate considers t. nce needs and for future developnent · : .. : River, left bank Aruka River, thence up the Wanakai at the nouth of the Wanakai The area cornnencing bank f.ruau River to its source, Creek, left bank Aruka River, thenbo down 1..ruka River to tho River; thence up the h.ruau River to the oouth of the 11.ruau save and except all alienated point of comnencenent, River, right lands.
thence east to the nouth of the Bakeirakana J4.i JlI!lerindian Bakeirakana l!laJe freehold.

occupation on right bank Aruka River frora Creek to the nouth of the Aruau River should be -184- DESCRIPTION OF COM!

{(JNITIES �: HOBODIA - ARUKA RIVER (NORTH WEST DISTRICT) 1. of area.

occupied: Description River and about 7 miles above Hotokwai.

Occupation of the 1.ruka River about t nile below the Mission above the Mission with depth varying Situate about from 1600 ft. to a nile.
30 oil es up ·the Aruka · ' and about l r:rile is on both banks 2.

Persons or organisations to wh.Q_n lands are alienated: (i)Ronan Catholic Bishop -Provisional Lease for 3 acres.

leases.

(ii)Several 3.

Population: 200 -26 farailies.

4.

Tribe: Arawak, Warrau, Carib.

5.

Institutions: established in 1943.

Church and school (Ronan Catholic).

Mission 6.

Degree of coastal acculturation: by both children and adults.

Fairly advanced.

English is spoken 7.

Econon�: !igriculture, labour.

8. rs.


Local Govt: Captain and 4 councillo 9.

.froo Special Ho bod ia to Sobai Mission.

R.B.

Sebai River, L.B.

Kai turaa River.

a road by s0lf-help to construct Features: Proposal 10.

Title requested: Cor:u::iunal vested in Captain and Council.·· 11.

Title recomoended: Freehold vested in a duly constituted Local Authority.

titles.

prefer individual Mutation should be given early priority as sooe residents 12.
Freedoos :.. All normal freedons and pernissions now enjoyed by .Amerindians • .

.. .

13.

Area requested: "From the mouth of the Maboni Creek to the extreoo source of the 1.ruka River, on both banks including . '

all tributaries. "

14.

C.oomission' s reconnendations: The area requested .excessive and residents .

The Conr:iission considers subsistence needs and for future development.

cannot beneficially the following area to be adequate it .

for their at 13 above.


occupy and adninister ts at the mouth of the Bakeirakana Creek, The area cor:1I:1encing left bank Aruka River, thence west for approximately 3 nilos to the source of the Wanakai River thence south and east around the headwaters Creek and all its tributaries to the source of the Wana�na Creek, left bank lu-uka River, thence down the Wana.ina Cr.eek to its oouth, thence down the J.ruka coomencet:ient, River to the point of lands.
save and except all alienated right bank Arau River' of the Hataouina All Junerindian should be made freehold.

occupation on both banks of the Aruka River -185- DESCRIPTION OF COMMUNITIES � : KJ.MW.llTA HILL -KORIABO RIVER ( NORTH WEST DISTRICT) 1. of area occupiQd: Description the Mauru River both being on left bank Koriabo River, left bank Aruka River.

An area of swai..,p along the river frontage.

between Wauna-Anura Situate River and 2.

Persons and organisations to whoo lands are alierg:i.M: Nil.

3.
3.

Population: 81 .•.

4.

Tribe: Warrau.

5.

Institutions: Koriabo River.

Served by St. Mary's Rooan Catholic School and Church, 6.

Degree of coastal Residents speak and understand English.

acculturation: Advanced.

Originally fron Moruca.

1.

Econooy: Co!

':lI'lercial agricultur e, labour.

8.

Local Govt: Captain and four councillors.

9.

Special title.

freehold Features: A few leases within the area reconmended for 10.

Title requested: CoI:ll:lunal -vested in Captain and Council.

11.
11.

Title reconnended: Authority.

Local Fre3hc: �-- vested in duly constituted 12.

Freedoos: 1�1 nornal freedoms and peroission s enjoyed by Ar:ierindians.

13.

Area requested: Kamwatta Hill to Mauru."

"An area of approximately 500 acres in the region of 14.

1s recoomendations: C9rnaission is larger than that requested the terrain their subsistence therefore The area rocorunended at 13 above.

In view of tho nature of fbr the Co!


!l[lission feels that a larger area is necessary aren· is The following needs and future development.

reconnended:- for freehold title at a point about 700 ft. above the oouth The area cor.
:u:icncing of Kamwata Creek, left bank Koriabo River, left bank Ar.µca River, thence west,.north �nd east around the headwaters of the River Kaowata Creek to the Koriabo River, thence up the Koriabo to the point of com.menceoent, save and except all alienated lant:s. ..J.86- DESCRIPTION OE' COMMUNITIES �; REDHILL SETTLEMENT (Bi.RIMA RIVER -NORTH WEST DISTRICT) 1 .. of area occupied: Description Situate left bank Barima River.
Occupation area 6· miles along the left bank Barioa River to a depth of approxina represented tel y 3, 500 ft. as being within an 50 oiles above Morawhanna, 2 ..

Persons leases in the area.

or organisations to wpoCT lands are alienated: A nw:ibe+ of 3.

Population: 15 fanilies -about 75.

4.

Tribe: Carib.

5.

Institutions: Church and school (Anelican).

6.

Degree of coastal acculturatiou: command of English.

Fair degree.· Residents have a fair 7.

Economy: Logging and subsistence farming.


Aquariun fishing.

8. leader).

Local Govt: Captain ( ac·cepted 9.

Special ?eatures: Formerly scene of industrial activity due to ·presence of Saw Mill, now reooved.

Once very famous ·area _both in respect of tir.1.ber and gold, but with decline of both industries resident s are now rebuilding the area.

10.

Title requested: Conr:iunal -vested in Captain and Council.

11.

Title recornnended: Authority.

Freehold vested in duly constituted Local 12.


Freedons: Jul noroal freedoms and peroissions enjoyed by Ju;ier:lndians.

13.

J,rea requested: J::rea occupied and described as at 1 above.

14. s recomnendations: The Coomission considers that the · Cor:u:nission' is adequate area now occupied Developoent in this area i's lirli agricultural lands higher recorunended: for their subsistence ted, · but there appears needs.

to be better up the river.


The following area is at the mouth of an unnaned creek, left The area commencing bank Barioa River about lt miles above Mt.

Everard, up the said unna.c.ed creek for approximately le'ft bank Barioa River, thence down the said unnanod cre�k to its mouth, thence comnenceoent.
to the source of an unnamed creek, up the Barioa River to the point of 1 oile, thence north-east 6 oiles thence -187- DESCRIPT ION OF COMMUNITIES �: KORI.ABO SETTLEMENT -(BiffiIMA RIVER -NORTH WEST DISTRICT ) 1.

Description miles above about 6 miles downstrean, Situate of area occ'=!,Pied: Morawhanna.

Occupation including on right bank Barina about 75 for fron fl):outh of Koriabo River the Koriabo savannah.

2.

Persons Trustees for 10 acres.


or organisations to whon lanrl,s of the Church in the Diocese are alienat�cd: of Guyana.

Lease No.A75l7 Incorporated 3.

Population: About 130.

4.

Tribe: Carib.

5.

Institutions: Church and School (i..nglican).

6.

Degree of coastal acculturatj,,,QE: Fair degree.

Residents have a fair· cor:i.oand of .English 1.

Econony: Logging, agriculture, aquariun fishing.

8.

Local Govt: Captain and 3 councillors.

9.

Special Features: potential.


Distance Trail connecting Chinese Soil survey maps indicate good soil.

Good loegine and poor co;.munication prejudicial .

to cconony.

Lancting on Bara11a River.

10.

Title requested: Conmunal -vested in Captain and Council.

11.

Title rocoEl.filended: Ji.uthori ty.

Freehold Local · vested in duly constituted 12.

Freedons: All norr:ial freedoms and per�issions enjoyed by Jtrlerindians.

13. lJ'ea requested: Barima River including the Koriabo savannahs."
"From Black Water Creek to Manari Creek on .. the 14.

The Connission considers Connission' s recoonendations :_ area requested is adequate for their subsist�nce needs and future devol9pment reconnended:-.

the request.
the request.

Following and supports is the area that tho The area conoencing at the mouth of tho Black Water Creek right bank Barioa River, thence up the Black Water Creek to of t1E Koriabo River its source, thence along the watershed dn the right bank of the �o the sotµ"ce of an unnaned tributary Manari River thence down the said unnamed nouth, thence down the Manari River and the Manari-Barin�, Itabu, to the Barina River, thence down the Barina River to the point of comnencenent.

tributary to its .
tributary to its .

-188-' DESCRIPTION OF COMMUNITIES �: SEBAI -Kil.ITUML.

RIVER -(NORTH WEST DISTRICT) (st. Benedict Mission) 1. of area occupi.fill..: Mission is situate about 8 CTiles Description on right bank Sebai River, a tributary 33 niles from its mouth.

Occupation are about 1 nile away from homesteads.

of the Kaituma River, is on the Mission, but faros 2.

Persons Trustees 10 acres.· or organisations of the Church in the Diocese to �h,oo lands are alienated: Incorporated of Guyana.
Perriission No.18232 - 3.

Population: 160 -33 fanilies.

4.

Tribe: Pre.d:minantly Warrau with Arawak, Carib and ilkawaio.

5.

Institutions: Church and School (Anelican).

6.

Degree of coastal acculturation: understand English.

Fair deeree.

Residents spe� and 7.

Economy: Agriculture, labour.

8.

Local Govt: Captain and 3 councillors.

9.

Special Features: to Port Kaitur;ia.

A trail fron Sebai to the road traces fron Wauna in 1961.

Coop.

Society reeistered Sebai Producers 10.


Title requested: Cor;u:iunal -vested in Captain and Council: ... 11.

Title reconmended: Freehold vested in duly-constituted Loe� Auth9rity.

12.

Freedoos: All normal frccdons and permissions enjoyed by Ar:ierindians.

13.

.Area re9ues�: "An area of approxioately the proposed road fron Wauna to Port Kaitur:ia."

1000 acres of land alone 14 •.

Cor::unission's that requested recoru:1ended necessary developnent.
recomr1endations: The area reconoended is in excess of at 13· above.

The Coonission considers the area needs and future for their subsistence at the nouth of the Mieator left bank Kaituna River t.hence The area comnencing bank Sebai River, Migator River to its source, thence north to the source of the Sebai River, thence down tho Sebai River to the point of coD.Iilencement.

River, right up �J:1� -189- DESCRIPTION OF COMMUNITIES � : SANTA 1.MERINDI.l'.N DISTRICT -DEMER.ARA RIVER 1.
Description Pokorero described of area occupied: 'Two oiles up the right bank of the River, a tributary in Order-in-Council of tho Kar.iuni River and nore fully No.59 of 1953 as foll-ws:- "f. tract of Crown land situate on the right bank Kaouni River, at the nouth of fiuu .. -,; '.
e Creek along tho rieht bank Kanuni River to the mouth of Makko or Savan Creek, thence upwards Ri vE:r, commoncine extend thence upw�rds loft bank Denorara and its boundaries River to the mouth of the Pokeroro Pokerero along the right bank to the mouth of an unnru:ied creek thence upwards along the right ° bank of tho said unnaned creek to its source thence N.122 (approx.)
(true) 7,474 feet to a point on tho left bank Hurawia the mouth of Biniti Creek about 3,600 feet above a point opposite creek, thence downwards creek to the point of comr:ioncenent.

Area 5 square r:iiles (approx.)."

of the said Malcko or Sa van Creek for 5,500 feet River, thence up the riGht bank along the left bank Hurawin 30' 2.

Persons Trustees 25 acres (26.286 Enelish or organisations of the Church in tho Diocese of Guyana - Grant No.4987 for to whoo lands are aliena"ted: acres).

Incorporate � 3.
Incorporate � 3.

Population: 250.

4.

1r._ibe: Arawak.

5.

Institutions: in 1858.

Church �cl School (Anr;lican).

Mission established 6.

Degree of coastal acculturation: chiidren and adults.

Advanced.

English is spoken by both 7.

Economy: famine.

Logeing -both within and without the district; subsistence 8.

Local Govt: Captain and 4 councillors.

9.

Special Features:.

Santa District, and Councillors.

Ono councillor Land is alienated a nunbor of non-.Anerindians.
is included of the Aritak officially outside the boundaries by the Captain in tho area adninistored at Aritak to the Qhdstian represents Aritak on the-Council Brethern Church and to •.

10.

Title ro9uested: Cornnunal -vested in tho Captain and Councillors.

11.

Freehold Title rocomoended: Authority.

-vested in duly constituted Local 12.

Freedons: All nornal freedons and pernissions enjoyed by .Amerindians.
13. crook to its source, "The area connencing at the mouth of Hurawia C!eek Area requested: left bank Konuni River, left bank Deoerara Hurawia or Savan Creek, thence south-west along the watershed Waratilla thence north by the watershed Rivers, to the source of the Kam uni River, thence down the Kar:iuni River to the point of cor.menconcmt."
thence west to the source of the Makko between the Pokorero River, thence up the and Pokerero and Bonasika between tho Rivers to the source of the Pokerero River, -190- 14.

Commission's at 13 above to be rea�onable the lack of pressure of this area is white sand.

recoranendations: The Colill:lission considers the request in view of the nature of the soils and on the land, and supports it.

Over half -191- DESCRIPTION OF COMMUNITIES �: M.t..BORA RIVER.

SETTLEMENT -DEMERJ..RJ� 1.

2.


Description at raouth of Mabora Creek, 163 niles up.

of area occupied: Situate on left bank De�orara River Extent of lands alienated: the Diocese of Guyana -Pernission Trustees -10 acres.

Incorporated No.12710 of the Church in 3.

Populati on: About 50.

4.

Tri be: Mainly J,.kawaio.

5.

Institutions: Church (ilnglican).

6.

Deeree of coastal Fair degree.

acculturation: 7.

Econon_y: Logging; aquaritm fishing.

8.

Local Govt: Captain and 3 councillors.

9.


Special Features: An i'ikawaio eroup.

speakine 10.

Title requested: No request received.

11.

Title recor:ll'.lended: to further title, collective and the wishes of the residents.

investigations Freehold or individual subject 12.

Freedons: All nornal freedons and permissions enjoyed by !.nerindians.
-192- DESCRIPTION OF COMMUNITIES � : ST. CUTHBERT' S liMERINDI1..N VILLAGE - MJi.HAICA RIVER 1. of area occupied_� Situate Description the Mahaica River, East Coast Demerara, and extends from Arrow Creek south -to Bara Bara banks of the river, extending tho river with depths varying in the north being settlements on both of 7 miles along 48 niles on the left bank of - over a total distance from zj-to 3 miles.

Shannah 2.

Persons or organisations Trustees 10 acres.


of the Church in the Diocese of Guyana -Lease No.A2791 for to 'i.b.om lands are aliena_:te_.g,: Incorporated Population: 500 -85 families.

4.

Tribe: Arawak.

5.

Institutions: 90 years ago.

Church, Coop Shop, library.

School (Anglican); Mission about established 6.

Degree of coastal accult�i91ll.

by both children and adults.

Advanced.

English is spoken 7.

Economy: Labour on wood-cutting making of 1-rallaba posts.

grants; suosistcnce agriculture, 8.


Local Govt: Captain and 6 councillors including a wonan.

9, Special Features: It appears soils are to be found in tho inraediate vicinity Mahaica required River as a result of which adequate the population.

that tho only comparatively of the banks of the areas of land will be to support fertile 10.

Title requested: Comraunal -vested in tho Captain and councillors.

11, Title recoomendei: 11.uthori ty.

"Freehold vested in a duly constituted Local 12.


Freedoms: All norpal freedoms .Araerind ians • and peroissions now enjoyed by 13.

"An area froo the mouth of the Maduni River alone .Axea requested: the river to its source joining to the Atkinson-Mackenzie thence along the said road to the source of the !fahaica circling Creek, a branch of the Mahaicony source of the Moroni Creek thence along tho Mahaica connenccnent."
it thence along a trail to the source of tho Butenabu River, thence by a line to the to the point of River, .Hif,'hway, 14. recocunendations: Commission's at 13 above to be reasonable.

& Mines Department the right bank Mahaica Mahaica is thercfcre River is reserved recoranended:- discloses that there are wood-cuttinB River, and that the area on the left be.�.,l: leases on for use by .Jmerindians �rea .

The followinc The Conrn.ission considers Information received fron the tho requ0st Le.r;'.
:s Crock to its source, at the oouth of the Maduni River, lof� ;,�n1{ The area connencine Mahaica River, thence up tho Maha.ica River to Maroni Cro2< thence up the Maroni of the Mahai ca and Mahaicony Rivers to the source of the Me.hai ca River,thence north along the watershed Rivers to the source of the Maduni River,thence River to the point of cornnonccnent, lands.
save and except all alienated of tho Mahaica and Dcnerara thence south along the ws.torshed down the Maduni -193- DESCRIPTION OF COMMUNITIES .

.

!!&lli.

: ST. FRANCIS .lu"1ERINDIAN (EAST COAST DEMERJ,.RA ) VILL.ti.GE, MAHi'.ICONY RIVER 1.

Description described on Francois Situate No.27 of 1964 as follows.
:- in Order-in-Council of area occupied: River and core fully "The area coomencing at the junction of tho Mahaicony River of Deoerara along the watershed River and extending and tho Francois direction Francois River for a distance the Counties along the said boundary Adninistrative and West Borbico easterly direction along the boundary Wost Borbice Administrative Districts a north-westerly approximately direction 52,000 acres."
and Berbice, to the boundary thence in a south-westc:r:.y Ri vor and t:1/:J between the Captain of about 15 niles to the bou,, .

.

:!:,,.

:·v 11ctween thence in an eastc1·ly d.::_::.·c,ction between the East Demora:ca thence in a north- Districts, between for about 11-t nilos, thence; in the East Domerara and to the point of connencoment, and contc-:ining 2.

Persons or organisations to w11om lands are alienat_�: Incorp.·-,;,_·ated Trustees of the Church in the Diocese of Guyana.

3.
3.

Population: About 400.

4.

Tribe: Arawak, Warrau, C arib.

5.

Institutions: Church and school (Anglican).

Lone established Mission.

6.

Degree of coastal by both children and adults.

acculturati on: Fairly advanced.

English is spoken ?.

Economy: Subsistence famine, logging and canoe nakine.

s. Local Govt: Captain and 4 councillors.

9.

Special Features: 10. n. Title requested: Communal -vested in Captain and Council.

Title recommended: Freehold, vested Authority.

Local in duly constituted 12.


Freedoms : Ji.11 nornal freedoos and permissions enjoyed by Amerindians.

13.

Arca requested: includine mouths and extend to the Abary River.

This area must cover approxinatoly "Fron tho source of the Francois Creek and Kibclari the source of Captain 150 sq.

oiles."

Crock to their Creek to its mouth, 14.


CoL1Bission's at 13 above excessive or adn.inister patches of however, for freehold has relatively title:- recomoendationst The Comoission considers and beyond the ability of residents successfully.

Within the area recomnended, there are the request to develop good soils alo!l[; tho Captain River; the greater portion, poor soil.
Following is the area recot1mended at the mouth of the Captain River, left The area conmencine bank Mahaicony of the Walababu Creek, thence up the Walababu source, Francois thence north-east along the watershed to the point of coru...�enccment.

River, thence up the Captain and Abary Rivers Creek to its the between River to the mouth -194- DESCRIPTION OF COMMUNITIES NAME: WIKKI AMERINDIAN DISTRICT (BERBICE RIVER) 1.
Descripti on of area occupied: 100 miles up and more fully described follows:- Situate on right bank Berbice River in Order No.59 of 1953 as " A tract of Crown land situate on the left bank Wikki River, River to the western extremity of the lower boundary of at the mouth of the Parakwa and extending thence downwards along upwards along the right bank right bank Berbice River, commencing creek, left bank Wikki River, the Wikki River to its mouth, thence Berbice Klien Poelgeest, thence the watershed between the said watershed downwards commencement along the left bank Parakwa the Wikki and Berbice • .Area 95 square miles (approx.)"
to the source of the Parakwa creek, thence Rivers and thence along creek to the point of along the said boundary and its extension to 2.

Persons Church.

D.H.M.P.

Licence or organisations to whom lands are alien��: Congrega 521 -50 acres.

tional 3.

E:.Q_pulation: 250 -65 families.

4.

Tribe: Arawak.

5.

Institutions: Church and School (Congregational).

in 1830.

Rest house.

Mission established 6.

Degree of coastal acculturatJ&.u: Fairly advanced.

by both children and adults.

English is spoken 7.


Economy: Logging and balata: farming.

8.

Local Govt: Captain and 4 councillors.

9.

Special Features: Formerly under the 1902 Ordinance.

an .Amerindian reservation established 10.

Title reguested: Communal -vested in Captain and Council� 11.

Title recommended: Authority.

Freehold Local vested in duly constituted 12.

Freedoms: All normal freedoms and permissions enjoyed by .Amerindians.

13.

Area requested: As at (1) above.

14.


Commission's area which is requested The Commission at (1) above for freehold recommendations: title:- recommends the following River thence down the at the mouth of the Parakwa creek, left The area commencing bank Wikki River, right bank Berbice Wikki River to its mouth, thence lower boundary boundary and Wikki and Berbice Rivers watershed the Parakwa creek to the point of commencement • .Area 95 square miles (approx.).
and thence north-east its prolongation to the watershed to the source of the Parakwa creek, thence down up the Berbice of Klien Boelgeest, thence along the said River to the between the along the said -195- DESCRIPTION OF COMMUNITIES �: HURURU VILLAGE (BERBICE RIVER) 1.

_D __ e __ s_c_r_i.._p_t_i..,o_n_...o ... f_...a._r .... e ... a._...o ... c ... c_u ... p_i_e_d: Situate on the right bank Berbice River about 120 miles up.
Occupation extends from the Mora Creek to the Merwaka Creek along the river, and inland to the Bissaruni Creek - a distance of about 8 miles.

2.

Persons or organisations Church in Guyana.

to w11om lands are alienat_gg._: Lutheran 3.

Population: 60 persons -10 families.

4.

Tribe: Arawak.

5.

I nstitutions: Church and School, teachers' house (Lutheran).

6.

Degree of coastal acculturation: Fairly advanced.

English is spoken by both children and adults.

?.

Economy: Logging, subsistence agriculture.


8.

Local Govt: Captain and 4 councillors.

9.

Special Features: Regular New Amsterdam to Kwakwar.i.

launch service (T. & H.

Dept.)

from 10.

Title requested: Communal - vested in Captain and Council.

11.

Title recommended: Authority.

Freehold vested in duly constituted Local 12.

Freedoms: All normal freedoms and permissions enjoyed by Amerindians.

13.
13.

Area requested: Society as follows:- The area held by the Wakamukru Cooperative Logging "Cornmencing at the mouth of the Mora Creek, right bank Berbice 11 miles along the watershed River, thence up t�e left bank of the Mora Creek for a distance about 4 miles to its source; thence for approximately and Bissaruni (otherwise of the Kinchiparu mouth on the Berbice River to the mouth of the Mora Creek and the point of commencement."
Rivers as far as the source of the Kinchiparu Creek known as the Merwaka Creek): thence down the right bank of due south the Berbice River; thence down by a cut line running Creek for a distance of about 8 miles to its between the right bank of the Berbice 14.
Commission's recommendations: title, the area requested at 13 above as follows:- The Commission recommends, for freehold at the mouth of the Mora Creek, right bank The area commencing Berbice River; thence up the Mora Creek to its source; thence south for approximately 11 miles along the watershed between the Berbice and Bissaruni the Kinchiparu Creek thence down the Kinchiparu Berbice River; thence of the Mora Creek, the point of commencement.
Creek to its mouth, right bank down the Berbice River ( other1:,ise known as the Merwaka Creek); Rivers to the source of to the mouth -1%,- DESCRIPTION OF COMMUNITIES �: HITTIA SETTLEMENT, BERBICE RIVER l. Description of area occupied: River 64 miles up.

Residents Peter's Berbice River, between Situate have their faros on the right bank lease and Friendship.

on the left bank Berbice 2.

.

!


:.£rsons or orcnnisntions of the Church in the Diocese to whom lands are alien�}��: for of Guyana - Licence Incorporated Trustees 10 acres.

Population: 52.

4.

Tribe: Arawak.

5.

Institutions: Church and School -Anglican.

6.

Derrree of coastal acculturati,.9J1: Fairly.advanced.

7.

Econor;!.Y: J.ericulture, logging.

8.

Local Govt: Captain and 4 councillors.

9.


Most residents Special Features: .Agricultural situate lease and Friendship, are about 1 mile in facade and 600 rods in depth.

on the right bank Berbice hold Free Residential leases for the areas they now occupy.

Their River between Peter's farmlands, and 10.

Title requested: (i)Individual freehold for honcstead.

-{ii) Communal freehold for farru.ancls.

11.

Title recoI:II!l.ended: (i) Individual freehold for homestead.
(�i) Conditional grant for farw.lands referred to at 9 above, vested in duly constituted Local Authority.

12.

Freedoms: All norpial freedol:ls and pernissions enjoyed by limerindia.11.s.

13. krea requested: far!!line.

Area on right bank Berbice River now being used for 14.

Commission's recooraendations: As at (ii) of 11.


-197- DESCRIPTION OF COMMUNITIES �: ORE.ALLA VILLAGE (INCLUDING SIPARUTA) - CORENTYNE RIVER 1. of area occupied: Description River 56 miles up and more fully described as follows:- Situate on the left bank Corentyne in Order No.59 of 1953 " A tract of Crown land situate on the left bank Courantyne River at the mouth of Mapenna Creek, and its boundaries commencing thence N.257° 45' (approx.

5f miles thence N.77° 45' (approx.


left bank Courantyne Tarakuli creek, thence downwards along the left bank Courantyne River to the point of commencement.

Area 54 square miles (approx.)"

River about 3,700 feet below the mouth of true) 10 miles to a point on the true) 9f miles thence N.165° (approx.

true) extend 2.

Persons or organisations Trustees of the Church in the Diocese of Guyana.

to whom lands are alienat�d.


: Incorporated Roman Catholic Bishop: Orealla Licence Epira No.34 -100 acres " No.143-50 acres Siparutu L· ·1se No.4533 Perm.No.12623 " 10.69 acres 15.00 acres.

3.

Population: Orealla Siparuta 1,000 150 1,150 4.

Tribe: Arawak, Warrau.

5.

Institutions: Administrat Orealla: Govt.

school, Anglican Church, ion Office, Community Centre, long established District Mission.

Siparutu: Church and school (Roman Mission established in 1944.

Catholic), Forest station.


Degree of coastal acculturati,.9_�: Fairly advanced.

English by both children and adults.

is spoken Economy( Logging,.

subsistence farming.

Local Govt: Captain and councillors.

Declared District Council.

Special Features: service from Springlands.

.Area enjoying a logging boom.

Regular launch Title requested: Communal -vested in Captain and Council.

6.

8.

10.

11.

Title recommended: Freehold vested in duly constituted Local Authority.

12.
12.

Freedoms: All normal freedoms and permissions enjoyed by .Amerindians.

13.

Orealla and Epira Amerindian reservation "The .Amerindian reservation include to include Area requested: which presently be extended 'bulge' to Cow Falls going south in the Corentyne of the present reservation westwards to boundary and further extended should be extended for the new area."
.Amerindian Siparuta inland going Canje Creek and this creek also to be the western further area including the in the Corentyne River River.

The boundaries from the end of the Epira reservation /14.

-198- 14.

Commission�s recommendations: at 13 ·b"VP.

for an extension logging purposes.

The Commission of their present considers area, is primarily the request for The Commission declared districts these two districts known of Orealla and Epira including as the 'bulge'.
recommends for freehold title the present the area between -199- DESCRIPTION OF COMMUNITIES �: KURUTUKU VILLAGE ( CUYUNI RIVER) -(ST. SIL.AS MISSION) 1.

Description of area occupied: about 2 miles below the Kanaima farms are on left bank and on islands in river.

Situate on right bank Cuyuni River Itabu.

Houses are on right bank, 2.

Persons Trustees 10 acres.

or organisations of the Church in the Diocese of Guyana.

Permission to whom lands are alienat§£: - Incorporated 3.

Population: 150.

4.


Tribe: Carib.

5.

Instituti 4 years ago.

ons: Church and School (Anglican ).

Mission established 6.

Degree of coastal acculturati__Q,Q: spoke English.

necessary.

Residents Fair degree.

No interpreter was 7.

Economy: Mining, casual labour, subsistence farming.

8.

9.

Local Govt: Captain and 12 councillors -unofficial.

Special Features: and the people benefit Population Upper Barama River.
originally A GDF base and airstrip are a few miles upstream from the medical services from Bara.ma River.

Trail from Kurutuku to of this unit.

10.

Title requested: Communal -vested in Captain and Council.

11.

Title recommended: Authority .

Freehold Local vested in a duly constituted 12.

Freedoms: All normal freedoms and permissions enjoyed by 1.merindians .

13.
13.

"From Takatu River to Powis Island on the left Area requested: bank Cuyuni River and from the bottom of Kanaima Itabu to Otomung River on the right' each bank".

bank, Cuyuni River, with a depth of 5 miles on 14.

Commission's that requested area to be adequate recommendations: The area recommended is leas than at 13 above.
The Commission considers needs and future development:- the following for their present The area commencing at the mouth of the Otomung right bank Cuyuni River, thence up the Otomung 4 miles, thence north-west to the mouth of the Takatu River, thence up the Taketu River for 4 miles thence south-east for 8 miles, thence south-west River, the point of commencement.

River, River for for 5 miles thence north-east to the mouth of Otomung left bank Cuyuni River, -200- THE BARA1"'1A RIVER CARIES 276.
This group has been described by Peberdy as "the most impoverished and traumatic Aboriginal group" he had ever met in the length and breadth of the country.

It occupies the Barama River headwaters above Towakaima Falls and spreads over to the Barima River head and towards the Cuyuni River.

TJ::le people are the remnants of the 'true' Carib tribe which inhabited the regions of the Orinoco and many of the West Indian islands at the time of the discovery of the New World.
(l) 277.Towards the end of the 19th century gold was discovered in the North West District of the Barima River.

Names like Five-Stars, Arakaka, Old World, i:n the Barama River and in the headwaters In Time and Kokerite became well known.

As prospectors, local and foreign, moved into the district the Amerindians withdrew and sought refuge in the most remote parts of the forest that they could find.
278.The North West was gradually abandoned as a result of the exhaustion of the more accessible gold deposits, the rising cost of operations in the face of the static price of gold and the greater attraction of diamond mining in other areas.

The Caribs are accordingly slowly re-occupying areas like Kokerite and Chinese Landing in the Barama and Koriabo in the Barima.
Old World Mine on the Baramita River, a branch of the Upper Barama, is still an active gold producer and has an Amerindian population of around 150 in its immediate vicinity.

279.The area is seldom visited by members of the administrative or medical officers from Mabaruma.

In 1963 the Pilgrim Holiness Church established a mission at the Baramita airstrip and it provides a much appreciated medical service.

The Commission is indebted to Rev.

Traugh for information about the present state of the people.
280.Apart from some small communities between Baramita and Towakaima, and the one centered on Old World Mine, the people live in single family units in the most remote corners of the forest.

They are for the most part unclothed and extremely timid.

Rev.

Traugh /claimed (1) Butt, A.J.

- The Burning Mountain Timehri No.33 Oct. 1954. from whence it came.

-201- claimed that he has been unable to make contact with them as they withdrew into the bush on his approach and remained there until his departure.
As the benefits of the Mission become more known amongst the group, however, it is expected that they would become increasingly communicative.

281.The Church,though concerned about tho degree of polygamy practised by the Caribs,recognises that on account of their primitive state a flat condemnation should be avoided.

The Commission visited one family at Aronka, four miles from the airstrip, where a man, his five wives, 25 children and 64 immediate relatives were living as one community.
With a single family totalling almost a hundred in number, the total for the population to us.

group is very likely to be more than the 500 suggested 281.The soils of the area are reasonably good and an agricultural economy could be developed.

With the exception of labour facilities at Old World and a small artifact trade created by the Mission,there is virtually no economy.

Some of the more hardy souls found work at Matthew's Ridge during the course of manganese mining operations there.
282.The people have no concept of land tenure and it is impossible at the noment for this to be put across.

The Comnission has therefore recorunended that the area of occupation should be reserved for their use by the creation of an Amerindian District and every effort made to encourage concentrations in suitable areas for the better administration, education and health of the people.
A District Field Officer and a Medical Ranger based at the Baramita airstrip with complete instructions as to their duties is a prime requirement.

A survey of the people and the development potential would be the second.

The topography is generally undulating and bush trails widened to take an agricultural tractor and trailer would be the only communication lines necessary to begin with.

283.
283.

The following are the comriunities in respect of which 'Specific Recommendations' have been made:- Baramita Upper Barama River Tributaries Baramita and Barama Head.

-202- DESCRIPTION OF COMMUNITIES �: B,ARAMITA, B.ARJ,Ji,1A RIVER -NORTH WEST DISTRICT -INCLUDING .ARONKA L.ND 'OLD WORLD' MINE 1.

Description of areas occupi�: Baramita: Situate its mouth.

Scattered on left bank Barama River about 171 miles from occupation around the airstrip.

Aronka: Situate about 4 miles north of the airstrip.
'Old World' �: Situate about 4 miles south of the airstrip.

2.

Persons or organisations to Holiness W.A.

Baird.

Church -20 acres.

Airstrip.

'Old World'Mine held by wllQm lands are aliena�: Pilgrim Population : Approximately 300.

4.

Tribe: Carib.

5.

Institutions: Mission medical centre.

Mission established 'Old World' Mine; school (Govt.

); in 1963. airstrip, 6.

Degree of coastal accult�!j...211: Fairly low.

Very little English spoken.

Interpreter was necessary.

7.


Economy: Subsistence farming, labour in mines.

8.

Local Govt: Captain and 3 councillors.

9.

Special Only area where polygamy was found.

Features: Remote area completely dependent upon airstrip.

10.

Title requested: No request received.

11.

Title recommended: Description on Ba+anita and Bara.ma Head.

(Page 204).

See Conmission's recommendations at (14) of 12.

Freedoms: .All normal freedoms and permissions enj8yod by .Amerindians.

13. ,Area reguested: Nil.

14.


Commission's recomrnendat�: See views nnd rocor:1;1ondations of Doscriptiofi on BarDl:.li ta and Bara.ma Head, ( page 204).

at ( 14) -203- DESCRIPTION OF.COMMUNITIES � : UPPER BAR.1'11.i.

RIVER TRIBUTARIES -NORTH WEST DISTRICT 1.

Descripti between Occupation on of area occJlJ)ied: Situate and Baramita Rivers, Towakaima is at Massowakhi, Karishaw, on the Upper Barama River right bank Barama River.

Piai, Kuratoka and Aunama.

2.

Persons or organisations Nil.


to whom lands are alienate�: 3.

Population: About 100.

4.

Tribe: Carib.

5.

Institutions: Medical Centre at airstrip.

Served by Government School at Baramita and Mission 6.

Degree of coastal acculturation: Fairly low.

Very little English spoken.

Interpreter was necessary.

7.

Economy: Subsistence farming.

8.

Local Govt: Nil.

9.

Special Features: 10.

Title reauested: No request received.

11.


Title recomr.iended: Baramita See Cornnission's and Barama Head, (Page 204).

views at (14) of Description on 12.

Freedoms: .Amerindians.

All normal freedoms by and permissions enjoyed 13. li:rea requested: Nil.

14.

Co!

!ll!lission's of Description recor:1CJ.endations: See views and recoraraendations (page 204).
and Barama Head, at (14) on Baramita -204- DESCRIPTION OF COMMUNITIES �: BARAMITA I.ND BARLMA HEJi.D -NORTH WEST DISTRICT 1. of area occupied: Description Bara.r:li.ta and Barama Rivers about 15 to 20 niles west of the airstrip.

This area is also the western boundary living in individual Situate at the Headwaters of the of Guyana.

Scattered population settlements.

2.

Persons or organisations to whon lands arc alienat�: Nil.

Population: About 250.

4.

Tribe: Carib.

5.


Institutions: Served by Mission Medical Centre at airstrip.

6.

Degree of coastal acculturati,gn: spoken.

Interpreter was necessary.

Fairly low.

Very little English 7.

Economy: Subsistence farming.

8.

Local Govt: Nil.

9.

Special Features: 10.

Title requested: No request received.

11.

Title recofll:lendcd: See (14) below.

12.

Freedoms: All nornal freedoms and permissions enjoyed by ll.Dlerindians.

13.

Area requested: Nil.

14.


Conmission's recomt1endations: sophistication Commission known scattered with the following boundaries:- and the need Amerindian recommends the creation population Owing to the very low degree of to set asidG lands for their use, the of a District to enclose all within the Barama/Baramita area Rivers on the Guyana-Venezuela The area col'.!l.r.
:lencing at the nouth of the Haiari Creek, left bank Barama River, left bank Waini River, thence up the Haiari Creek to Es source, the between thence west along the watershed Barima and Barama Rivers to the source of the Kaliaku and Baramita along the said Guyana-Venezuela Boundary the source of the Massowakhi Creek, thence cast source of the Massowakhi Creek to its mouth, left bank Aunana River, thence down the Auna.ma River to its nouth, right bank Bara.ma River, thence up save and except all alienated the Bara.I!la River to the point of commencement, Creek, thence down the Massowakhi Boundary thence to a point west of lands.
south to the The Cor:unission further those Aaerindians and Barruna Rivers to remove into of the now living at the headwaters community.

an established that efforts recoI!l.Iaends encourage �aramita be made to -205- THE WAI WAI 284.

The Wai Wai tribe belongs to Carib stock and originally lived on both sides of the Akarai Mountain Range, at the headwaters of the Essequibo River in Guyana and of the Rio Mapuera in Brazil.
Living in the most remote corner of the country they have been visited only by people with specific interests, Robert Schomburgk in 1837, Dr. Walter Roth around 1905, Farabee in 1913-16.
The Wai Wai were employed by the British Guiana-Brazil Boundary CoBmission and were visited in recent times by Peberdy, f.merindian Welfare Officer 1947, Jones, Medical Officer for Amerindian Areas 1950, Guppy, Forest Officer 1952, Evans and Meggers, archaeologists 1953, Yde and Fock, anthropologists 1954-55, Dagon 1966-67.

285.

In 1949 when the Unevs.ngelised Fields Mission was established in the area at Kanashen the total population on the Guyana side numbered in the country, 46 persons.
As has happened everywhere the establishment of a mission has resulted in the concentra tion of the Amerindians and Kanashen was no exception.

The Brazilian meobers of the tribe moved over from the Mapuera river and allied tribes from Brazil, the Katawina and Cikiyana also moved in to enjoy the security, medical aid and other benefits of the mission.

At the time of tho Land Comnission's visit in November 1967 a total of 560 Ar.lerindians were present.

286.
286.

Kanashen, which has the mission station and the light plane airstrip, is the main village of a group of five, the others being Yakayaka, Brazil Nut, Cashew Tree and Fish Poison villages.

A breakdown of the 5 village population by age and sex groups in May 1967 by Dagon revealed that 50�& of the then population of 528 was less than 12 years of age.
Culturally, the people were !II!lazonian rather than Guyana type in that they have only conparatively recently changed over frou a nomadic gathering and hunting group to a subsistence agriculture plus hunting form of life.

Being a still unclothed people they retain the subcutaneou s layer of fat to insulate against temperature change, a layer which is soon lost when clothes are adopted, and this gives them a deceptive appearance of well-being.
Malaria and intestinal parasites uere rife when Dr. Jones first visited in 1950 with his r.:iedical ranger tea.n but such was their isolation that tests revealed to tuberculosis.

no exposure whatever Now malaria and worms have been eradicated to a large degree but a /recent -206- recent test, 1968, showed a oarked exposure to Tuberculosis.
287.The soils in the areas of occupation are very poor as is indicated by the U. N. Soil Survey Maps and emphasised by Dagon who writes: "One oust suspect that the practice of agriculture in and around Kanashen is treading on a very thin line of success and serious disaster might occur for a variety of reasons.

One, the problem of low soil fertility in general cannot be escaped.
Two, though it is most certainly advantageous to the role of the mission to continue to attract and concentrate people into villages, the population increase has been much more than expected while the general area of suitable cultivatio n remains roughly the same.

Thirdly, because of the restriction imposed by the size oft� area suitable for cultivation, the cycle between use and re-use of any given field is being considerably shortened to often 4-5 years of fallow.
Erosion in sites of cultivation is, in general, quite severe.

The idea that if land supports forest it must surely support cultivation is far from dead at Kanashen."

288.The great increase in population on these poor soils carried its own warning and the people have started to spread out to utilise lands as far down the Essequibo as the Kuyuwini River and upstreao to the Kamoa, Chodikar and Sipu Rivers.
It would seen that improved agricultural techniques with a build up of soil fertility will be necessary to accommodate this rapidly increasing group or it will have to disperse and spread over a far largor area.

Excessive hunting and fishing for protein could be cut down by a greater enphasis on domestic animals and the creation of fish ponds.
289.The economy to date has been in the foru of feathered handicrafts sold through the Mission and the amount made would indicate an intensive slaughter of the fauna of the area.

The remoteness and very high cost of transport to and from this region would appear to preclude an agricultural economy even if the soil conditions perDitted it.
Balata is being tried as a second econonic string but with only a light aircraft strip the cost of the operation is treb1e that of balata extraction in the savannahs to the north.
290.Owing to the low degree of coastal acculturation of the people the Commission recoOfilends that the area be declared an l..merindian District and has outlined boundaries for the proposed /district -207- district which would take care of the increasing population for the next two or three decades on a subsistence agricultural basis.

It has also taken into consideration tho mobility and recent movements of the people and considers that there should be no firm alienation of the land for the present.
It recommends that a well qu8iificd District Officer be posted to the area without delay and that he be given technical assistance to tabulate all the resources of the district.

The first requirement would be an all weather D.C.3 airstrip for conr:1unication purposes supplemented by a jeep road north to the savannahs.
291.To quote Dagon once .oore: "Al though at present agricultural production is meeting local demands, the operation is certainly marginal and the birth rate is rising continuously" and "Finally, it is to be hoped that outside intGrest in this area will continue in order to help solve many of tho problems raised by the encroachment of a massive village complex on a generally unfavourable natural ecosystem."

292.Following are the1Specific Recomnend.ations' made in respect of Kanashen Area.
-208- DESCRIPTION OF COM�IDNITIES � : KANASHEN AREJ\.

-SOUTH RUPUNUNI l. Description both banks of tho Essequibo junc�ion of the Chodikar Kassikaityu airstrip.

River.

The Mission of area occupi�: Ji:reas of habitation and farms are on River from a point slightly below the and Sipu Rivers to the mouth of the is about 80 niles from Lumid Pau 2.

Persons or organisations to whol:l lands are alienat_�g._: Unevangelised Fields Mission.

Population: About 700.

4.

Tribe: Wai Wai and allied tribes.

5.


Institutions: Church and School (Unevangelised Medical Centre, established shop.

Mission in 1949.

Fields Mission), 6.

Degree of coastal accul turai;im1: Very low.

Economy: Subsistence farming, handicraft sold through Mission shop.

s. Local Govt: Captain and councillors.

9.

Special D.C.3 airstrip -"Gunn airstrip".

Features: Light plane airstrip.

Access to dry weather 10.

Title requested: Communal -vested in Captain and Council.

11.
11.

Title recom.r:iended: See Cage 14 below.

12.

FreedoBs: All normal freedoms and permissions enjoyed by Amerindians.

13. krea requested: Rivers, Mataruki Rivers."

"The area enconpassed and Onoro Creeks and the Karaoa, Chodikar by the Kuyuwini and Sipu and Kassikaityu 14.
Cot1mission's sophistication Commission scattered boundaries:- .Ao.erindian recommends recommendations: Owing to the very low degree of and the need to set aside lands for their use, the the creation population within this to enclose o.11 known area with the following of a District at the Guyana-Brazil River, at the oouth of the Kassikaityu River to River, thence up the Kassikaityu The area cooaencing left bank Essequibo its source along the Guyana-Brazil Essequibo watershed River, thence down the Amuku River to its mouth, thence down tho Essequibo border to the watershed of the and New Rivers, thence north along the said to the source of the .Amuku River, right bank Essequibo River to the point of comnencement.
border, thence south-east The Commission beneficial Rivers, occupation left bank Essequibo also recommends of lands between River.

that residents have the the Kassikaityu and Kuyuwini -209- PART III -INDIVIDUAL AND HOUSEHOLD CLAIMS: 293.In the first part of our report -para.157 -we endeavour ed to categorise claimants and to reconoend the form of tenure they should enjoy.
With a view to obtaining the names and particulars of those who regarded theoselves as being eligible for consideration under tho Lands Comcission Ordinanc,e, questionnaires were distributed directly fron the Comnission or indirectly through District Co:cu::1issionors, District Field Officers, Headn.asters Captains.

and f.morindian 294.


To judge from tho oany and divers places fron which conpleted questionnaires were received it soons fair to conclude that in course of tino the existence and purpose of tho Connission became widely known and appreciated.

The majority of conpleted through District Cor;u:iissioners whose connents questionnaires wore returned to us were invited.
Not ouch car:ie by way of cornnent but having regard to tho signal help we received fron these officers and to the keen interest they showed in our work, we are inclined to think that our invitation was injudicious.

We are however confident that any misrepresentation which obtruded itself on tho notice of these officers would have been drawn to our attention.

295.

We have noted that the areas of land said to be occupied by individuals or by households vary considerably.
Sone are as snall as half an acre while others range fron 40 to 1200 acres.

Infornation was not given on oath and Government would be acting quite properly if it takes steps to verify any claims whataver.

We fool that clains to occupation of areas in excess of 30 acres should be carefully gone into before a decision is taken as to the quantun of land for which legal title should be given to any person or household.
Even in genuine cases of occupation in excess of 30 acres it would appear equitable to limit a grant to 30 acres and to consider sone loss strong title, say a lease, for tho remainder or part thereof.

Except in tho case of leases it is difficult for us to say how true are the acreages told us.

1\Incrindians arc said, however, to have a fair sense of land noasuronent.
296.Though there are many households of the nornal fanily type, that is with father, mother, children and adolescents, there are not a few fanilies of a more composite typo somewhat extE:nded.

In these there are adult sons and daughters with their wives or husbands and their children all occupying tho sane house or house-plot an� the sane farms.
Sone adult menbers of the latter type fanilies have requested that they be given separate consideration and have accordingly submitted completed questionnaires on their own behalf.

We are in synpathy with them.

/These -210- These meobers might be chafing under a pattern of life to them restrictive of their progress and to which they are subjected by custom and tradition.
In such cases we feel that a conditional grant oight be given for an area considered by tho Col':l.Dissioner of Lands and Mines to be adequate,having regard to all the natural advantages and disadvantages of the environr;ient.

297.At Appendix XI is a list of some 400 individual and household claios together with details.

It is impracticable to include all tho details in this report but the relevant papers arc available to governnont.
We arc of opinion that each household should noninate the person or persons in whom title should be vested and for all practical purposes we would be inclined to regard the signatories to the conpletcd questionna ires as persons who have had tho support of their household.

Here again Govcrl1I!lent might, at its discretion, take steps for verification.
298.It should be observed at this point that here and there in .Amerindian conmunities arc to be found a few non-Amerindians who scened to live aoicably with their Arlcrindian brethren for @any years.

There seons to be no reason why these accepted persons should not stay where they are and share the privileges and obligations On thg of their comounity.

other hand there are tho unaccepted, very few in nunber, who should got out.
299.The response we have had in the use of questionnaires has been gratifying.

There arc a few places which have perhaps been tardy, indifferent or sceptical.

In any event we do not think that the doors should be closed against then for sone tioe yet.

Thero would, too, be genuine cases which for uncontrollable reasons have been unable as yet to respond.

We propose that Goverill!l.ent �ake sonc provision to treat bona fide cases of this nature in accordance with the principles laid down in our report.
CONCLUSION 300.The Amerindian Association of Guyana has been the only body to suggest a period wit_hin which the conferring of legal title should be completed.

The year suggested is 1978.

This does not appear unrealistic.

There has, however, here and there been sooe doubt about Government's intentions .

Such doubt can only deepen with delay.


We feel that Government should,as a first step, decide in principle what it proposes to do and /disseninate -211- disseninate this information especially to the peoplG most concerned.

301.Inpending constitutional changes almost nake it nandatory that Governnont give sone solemn undertaking of its intentions and guarantee the inviolabilit y of any undertaking it nakes to the Ar:lerindians .
Technical difficulties of legal or constitutional language should not be allowed to stand in the way of progress.

In this connection tho Archbishop of the West Indies expressed his solicitude in these worc.s: "The basic difficulty in the way of any just sottlenent, and tho chief cause for concern for any Coouission s�ch as the one now constituted, is that no government can bind its successors and that past experience shows that govornr.ients have no conscientious scruples in matters of this kind.
Some clear and solemn Declaration night help -and could perhaps be recorded at the United Nations Headquart ers to give it r:iore weight.

The essence of any such Declaratic,i.1 should be a pronise that the rights now to be given to tho J�1erindians should be inviolable, and that in particular if valuable minerals were subsequently discovered on these lands they should be exploited for the benefit of the 1.merindians in occupation, and as far as possible by tho liJ:1erindians with tocr.
:.nical help from the government of the day."

302.On the other hand we feel that Arierindians should be inforned that any land which legally becomes their property could be escheated by government in the event of treason and rebellion.

The information should neither assume the character or the appearance of a threat.

Ar:lerindians should also be aware of govornnent's power to acquire land coopulsorily in the public interest.
Matters of this nature would, no doubt, form part of their training ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: in Local Govornnent .

303.We desire to express our thanks to al!


those who have in anyway assisted us in our task, to those who pemitted us to billet in their schools, their houses and their cabins; to all who served us beyond nonetary reward -the baggage non, the boatnen, the chauffeurs, to the .Aracrindians thenselves who welcomed us so warnly and co-operated so readily, to the District Car.missioners and their officers who oade on tho spot arrangements for us.
304.We are in a special way indebted among to a nunber of persons, then the oenbers of The McGill University Savanna Project who placed sonc of their findings at our disposal estinates and who prepared population /for -212- for us in respect of sone Rupununi connunitics; Mr. J.A.
Dumnett, 1..gronomist, Guyana DevelopBent Corporation for his paper on .IU:1erindian Ji.griculture in the Rupununi and its Relation to Land Tenure; to Mr. E.Cundiff for his able raenorandum on Beneficial Occupation of Lands by .Anerindians; Mr. T. Mccann, sociologist, who twice appeared before the Cotll!lission; The .Archbishop of the West Indies and the Ronan Catholic Bishop for so helpfully conpleting an exhaustive questionnaire; the British High Comr:iissioner for the gift of a tape recorder; the Cor;unissioner of Lands and Mines and his staff for their able support, and the Controller of Governnent Printing and Stationery and his staff help.
for their unstinted 305.

Finally we would like to pay a special to the tribute industry and efficiency of our Secretary, and of Mr. F rancis Cw:iberbatch our typist, Mrs. Juliet Marshall.

We are, Sir, Yours faithfully, v!r� '1-- � �"'j;'bert H. Moore, Chairnan.

/... / ./ 1;J1lliam H. Seggar.

�,///o,"/ .lurred J. Scow.

Maurice Bennett.

-213- APPENDlX I Memorandum from Captains of South Savannahs, Aishalton Village Rupununi.

South Savannah Rupununi District 30th Oct. 1967.


Sir, We the Wapishana Indians of the villages Aishal ton, Awariwaunaua, Maruranaua, Shea, Karaudarnaua and Achawib have authorised Henry Winter Toushau of Aishalton Village to make representation for land to the Guyana Amerindian Lands Commission on our behalf because we feel that he will represent our interests fairly.

We agree to abide by the decisions made by him in this matter.
We are claiming the extent of land as indicated here and in the attached map for our selves and our heirs.
From the junction of the Kawarwau and the Takatu Rivers in a straight line to Mamid Mountain, from thence in a straight line to the Source of the Miliwau river, (tributary of the Quitaro) thence due east of North East to King George V fall, on the Essequibo River, from thence due South along the Source of the Essequibo River to Rivers, thence due Kassikaityu and Essequibo west along the Source of the the junction of the Kassikaityu River to Serra Uossary west Mountain, from thence due north �o the Source of the Takutu River, thence due north along the course of the Takutu River to the junction of the Kowariwau and Takutu Rivers.
1.

We Amerindians were the original people of this country, and as such we feel that, we the Wapishanas of these villages, should have rights to own the land on which we build our houses, to own the land on which we farm, to own the land on which we rear cattle, to own the land on which we hunt; to own the land on which we cut timber for our houses, to own the mineral rights on our lands, to own the water rights for fishing, drinking and swimming, and to claim these rights for our children for all time.
2.

We claim that all the above lands included in the proposed reservation are used by us, with the exception of that now owned by the Rupununi Developme nt Company.

We are claiming that part of the Company land as shown in the map because our cattle are increasing and we do not have enough grazing land.

/cont'd ••••