Tacoma worms are a delicacy for some groups of indigenous peoples in Guyana. It is prepared in a variety of ways. It is often it is roasted on an open fire. One of the simplest ways the indigenous peoples use to cook the tacoma worms are roasting them in a pan with some salt and pepper…yummy! The tacoma worms are also used as bait for fish.
Harvested from the ite palm tree, the tacoma worm is not an everyday delicacy. That’s because there are not many of them floating around and nobody actively farms them at present. The tacoma worm is delicious, but it is a scarce commodity, and hard to retrieve. To harvest the tacoma worm for eating, the ite palm tree first have be cut down and left for some time to decay. Incisions have to be made expertly on the trees – out of which the worms would crawl. The tacoma worms are thus harvested in a weeks-long process. The aversion to cutting the palm trees down further makes the tacoma worm a scarce commodity.
According to a resident of St. Cuthbert’s Mission, Region 4, the tacoma worms are buttery, high in protein, and can be cooked without the need for oil. It is also said to be very tasty or “finger licking good.”
The indigenous people of St. Cuthbert’s Mission have been known to eat tacoma worms raw, sautéed, or skewered and roasted like marshmallows on an open fire. Indigenous or indigenous/mixed people on the coasts have been known to blend two cultures and make, for example, bhunjal tacomo as shown in the photo below which was first posted by political activist Kevon Lorrimer – an indigenous/mixed resident of Linden, Region 10.
Although eating tacoma worms has been an indigenous tradition passed down for centuries, not all modern day indigenous people eat them. Tacoma worms were likely a survival food for the indigenous peoples in ancient times. It is nevertheless delicious, and the tradition has been kept alive.
The photos below show Miss Teen India Worldwide 2022, Roshani Razack, snacking on cassava bread and tacoma worms in her hometown of St. Cuthbert’s Mission, Region 4.
Some more photos of crispy tacoma worms ready to crunch.
Editor’s Note: We understand that some people might find eating tacoma worms distasteful. However, some people who would not eat tacoma worms eat shrimp, crab, snails, and pork–which are considered distasteful by other groups. Please comment respectfully and learn to appreciate the cultures, differences, and traditions of others.
