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President Ali’s Men on Mission Reconstructs Home for Elderly Citizen

This morning, President Irfaan Ali handed over to 85-year-old Meena Bafan, the keys to her newly rebuilt home at Herstelling East Bank Demerara. The home was rebuilt by the Men on Mission (MoM) after the President saw its state during an outreach in late November. Men on Mission is a brainchild of President Irfaan Ali that engages Guyanese men in productive tasks across the country that helps the less fortunate.

Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is Celebrated Annually in Guyana

Diwali, also called Deepavali, is one of the biggest and most auspicious festivals celebrated by Hindus in Guyana and around the world. The five-day long festival starts with Dhanteras and culminates with Bhai Dooj. Diwali marks the start of the Hindu New Year. The date of Diwali, which is determined by the position of the moon, changes each year, but usually falls somewhere between October and November.

Phagwah, also called Holi, Celebrations in Guyana

In Guyana, South America, Phagwah is known as the festival of colors. Although of East Indian and Hindu origin, the celebration of Phagwah in Guyana is a national holiday which is celebrated by Guyanese of all races, classes, and religions. During the morning, buckets of water are used to drench one another, while in the afternoon, colored powders are dabbed and sprinkled on friends, and colored water is sprayed using a “water gun.”

Man Stabs Security, Fires at President Ali’s House

There was an alleged shooting incident which occurred at the State House (southern guard hut) on Carmichael Street at about 07:30 hrs this morning (Thursday 15th December, 2022). Investigation revealed that on the date and time mentioned, a security detail was on duty at south eastern guard hut adjacent to Carmichael Street when a male of mixed race ethnicity confronted the security stating: “I want the President.”

Navin Hanraj, Entrepreneur and Philanthropist, is a Talented Guyanese

Navin Hansraj is the holder of many titles. A Computer Engineer by profession, he is also an entrepreneur, a humanitarian, a dedicated father & husband, a young leader, the CEO and founder of MMH Enterprise & Maya Fitness, a Rotarian, and the founder of Team Maya: a Non-Governmental Organization that provides a variety of services including a feeding program, clothing, and book drives to the community.

Guyanese Born, Tauseef Baksh, is a Rising Star in the West Indian Music Industry

From ever since he knew himself, Tauseef had a passion for singing, and he explains that this passion was greatly helped and encouraged by his uncle, Akbar Khan, who opened a music shop in the same village within close proximity to his home when the lad was just 7 or 8 years old. Tauseef seized the opportunity to go over often to his uncle’s music shop and listen to music as well as hone his singing skills through practice. He related that his uncle, Akbar Khan, who is also an excellent singer, was very supportive of his dream of becoming a professional singer, and helped him to become a better singer.

The Brutal, Cold-Blooded Murder of Shonette Dover

The murder of Shonette Dover will go down as one of the most brutal, heinous, and cold-blooded murders ever committed on a Guyanese citizen by someone she once loved and trusted. Whether the younger sister of the victim was criminally involved in the killing is disputable, but the pieces of evidence presented against the former boyfriend point to a well-planned, cold blooded, and premeditated murder.

Meet Ryan Huckumchand – A Talented Gospel Singer and Video Producer

Ryan Huckumchand has a talent for singing as much as he has a passion for his Christian faith – and in this context, he plans to take worship music to a whole new level with an emerging genre called “Soca Gospel.” Soca Gospel incorporates some of our local Caribbean linguistic styles into songs of worship as you can see from Ryan’s professionally produced music video “Kinda Way.”

Jim Jones Promised Racial and Social Equality

During the 1970s, when racial tensions were high between whites and blacks of the United States, Jim Jones promised his followers something that portrayed him as a champion of the oppressed: racial and social equality. In this regard, The People’s Temple was made up of about 69% blacks, 25% whites, and 6% mixed races. Little did the followers know that Jim Jones meant them no good.

Did Jim Jones Believe in Jesus?

It is no secret that religion has been hijacked by evil men and women who twist scriptures to suit their own conveniences. These wolves in sheep clothing use religion to control, enslave, and extort others. And Jim Jones was certainly one of these. But as the bible reassures us, “surely they have their reward.”

Meet Sir Kenrick Lewis – Headmaster of St. Ignatius Secondary

For teacher’s day 2021 – October, 5th, we had the honor of featuring one of Guyana’s most outstanding veteran educators – a young man by the name of Kenrick Lewis who has touched the hearts of thousands of people and impacted countless lives throughout his 27-year long ongoing career. He is presently the Headmaster of St. Ignatius Secondary in Region 9, Guyana, South America.

Criminal Activities and Violence in the Town of Lethem, Region 9

I’ve previously published an article giving general, touristic, and business information on the Town of Lethem. Because people are often concerned with their safety when traveling from place to place, they often ask questions about criminal activities and violence in that area. For this reason, I’ve decided to create a non-exhaustive log of criminal activities and violence in Lethem that I’m aware of.

The Kanuku Lodge Hotel in Lethem, Rupununi

When traveling to Lethem in the Rupununi Savannahs of Guyana, South America, the Kanuku Lodge Hotel in Lethem is one of your options if you’re looking for a place to spend the night – or a few nights, etc. The Kanuku Lodge Hotel is located along Lethem’s Main Commercial Road- right next to Frontier Pharmacy and opposite Reeaz Computer Store. Obliquely opposite is Macedo’s Gas Station.

Hoplias Aimara, Known in Guyana as the Haimara or Wolf Fish

The species of freshwater fish, Hoplias Aimara, is known in Guyana as the haimara or wolf fish. In other parts of the world, it is called anjumara, traira, trahira, manjuma, anjoemara, and wolf fish. The haimara is a freshwater fish which grows to more than 4 feet in length, but the average length is 3 feet. It weighs on average 88 lbs. The haimara is native to northern South American countries including Brazil, Guyana, Venezuela, Colombia, French Guiana, and Suriname. It is also found in the rivers of neighboring Trinidad and Tobago.

The Tarpon Fish is Colloquially Called Cuffum

The tarpon may be described as a “euryhaline species” because it can survive in a wide variety of salinity and therefore lives in both the ocean and in fresh waters. The tarpon breeds mostly in the oceans in salt water. The females can lay up to 12 million eggs at once. They spawn their eggs between the months of March and July. Tarpons tend to swim upriver from the ocean and often inhabit rivers, creeks, tidal pools, and salt marshes. Some return to the ocean but others stay in freshwater locations.

The Giant Anteater of Guyana is the World’s Largest Anteater

Guyana is known as the land of the giants, and the giant anteater, the world’s largest anteater, is one of the six or seven reasons why. The giant anteater goes by the scientific name Myrmecophaga tridactyla. It is a mammal which feeds on insects and has an average lifespan of 14 years. About two to three feet in height, the giant anteater weighs between 40 and 140 pounds. The giant anteater can reach as long as eight feet from the tip of its snout to the end of its tail.

The Victoria Amazonica, Guyana’s National Flower

The flower of Victoria Amazonica, previously called the Victoria Regia, and also known as the Giant Water Lily is Guyana’s National Flower. Victoria Amazonica is the world’s second largest water lily with its leaves measuring a whooping 10 feet in diameter floating on the surface of the water. The stalk of the Victoria Amazonica extends as much as 26 feet (8 meters) below the surface of the water. The flower of the Victoria Amazonica, which it bears almost every week during the summer months, is also the largest flower in the world. The flower of the Victoria Amazonica stays in blossom for just two to three days – long enough to facilitate pollination.

My Life on the Pirara/Meritezeiro Ranch – by Denise D’Aguiar

My husband, Harvey, and I used to live on a ranch in the North Rupununi Savannahs of Guyana, South America, where there was a 10-mile stretch of grazing ground between two places called Pirara and Meritezeiro. These places were owned by a dairy company called LIDCO, and they were “two in one.” The Headquarters, administration workers, and ranchers’ homes were all located at Pirara. Harvey and I lived at Meritezeiro where he controlled that section of the ranch. There were four cattle boys there.

The 1763 Berbice Slave Rebellion

The various accounts of the 1763 Berbice Slave Rebellion, also called the 1763 Berbice Slave Revolt and the 1763 Berbice Slave Uprising, are sketchy and sometimes conflicting. This very condensed version is based on intelligence gathered and cross-examined from various reputable sources including the Dutch Archives.

The Neesa Gopaul Murder Case – the Crime that Shook the Nation

The Neesa Gopaul murder case is doubtless one of the most horrific, brutal, and chilling crimes in Guyanese history. Imagine being heartlessly attacked by the very person whose God-given duty is to love and protect you. Imagine a group of vacationers looking for a fun time out but ending up finding a human corpse stuffed in a suitcase at Madewini Creek along the Linden-Soesdyke Highway, and imagine a woman, with the help of her partner, stuffing her daughter’s lifeless body into a suitcase and then dumping it into a remote creek with dumbbells tied to it so that it wouldn’t resurface. These are some of the elements that compose the Neesa Gopaul murder case – a brutal crime which sent shockwaves throughout the nation of Guyana, South America.

Guyanese Superstitions

A superstition is a belief in something supernatural that has no scientific basis or logical explanation. For example, we have all heard the superstition that if a black cat crosses your path it might bring bad luck, etc. This is an example of a superstition of European origin.

Guyanese Proverbs

A proverb is a general observable truth about life which has been passed down from generation to generation. Aside from the biblical book of Proverbs which is believed by many to have been inspired by God, there are many other proverbs peculiar to a particular people, region, or country.

History of the Wai Wais – by Ovid Williams

The Wai Wais are originally from Brazil (ANAWA), now called Roraima. Through hunting expeditions, they became familiar with KANASHEN (GOD loves you). Kan is God in the Wai Wai language. Over years, lots of them inhabited the area and the population increased. There was a threat of an “invasion,” a police raid for illegal guns and a lot of families left the location. Some went back to Brazil, while some went to a place upriver of kanashen called Shafalimo.

Masakanari or “Gunns Village” in the South Rupununi Savannahs of Guyana

Hundreds of miles south of the town of Lethem, a small community of Indigenous People live peacefully and happily. In the heart of the Amazon Rainforest, in the Deep South Rupununi Savannahs of Guyana, South America, at the headwaters of the mighty Essequibo River, is tucked away this beautiful piece of paradise – Masakanari Village, also known as Gunns Village.

Pepperpot, A Guyanese Delicacy

Pepperpot has graced the tables and satisfied the stomachs of all races and classes of Guyanese on a wide variety of occasions – from Christmas season to the everyday grind. During the Christmas season, it is often served with cassava bread and complimented with ginger beer. Although it is not clear at this time which ethnic group introduced pepperpot to Guyana, it might be a blend of two cultures – a tradition adapted by the Africans using casareep – an indigenous creation. It was then adopted and modified by all other ethnic groups in Guyana making it a truly Guyanese flavor.

The Arapaima, One of Guyana’s “Giants,” is the World’s Largest Freshwater Fish

Guyana is known as the land of the giants, and the arapaima, the world’s largest freshwater fish, is one of the reasons why. The arapaima is a “gentle giant” with a suction power that is damaging to smaller fish up to four feet away. The arapaima can grow as long as 3 meters and weigh up to 440 pounds. In 2015, a monster arapaima was caught in Guyana which weighed 416 pounds!

The 1980’s – Memories of Lethem – by Frank Roman

In the early to mid 80’s, I was a trader to Brazil and flew on the HS 748 weekly. We nicknamed her “Flop Hat,” although I’m not sure why. At that time, GAC had daily service into Lethem, Rupununi, Guyana South America, and the daily arrival of Flop Hat was the high point of the day. It was the only way in and out. After a short time, we could tell which aircraft was approaching – whether sky van, 748, islander, or DC 6 – by the sound of their engines.

Moringa, Colloquially Called Saijan, is a World Renowned Superfood

“Saijan bhajee” as it is commonly called by the locals in Guyana, is in fact the world renowne superfood, moringa leaves. Moringa, the subject of a US scientific study around the year 2010, has been classified as a superfood and is used to fight malnutrition as well as for its medicinal value in various parts of the world. The recently developed moringa industry – which sells moringa based products, is a billion dollar industry.

The Story Behind Eldorado

Almost all Guyanese have heard the story of Eldorado. In Primary School, students even sing the Patriotic Song, “born in the land where men sought Eldorado….” But the story of Eldorado is not limited only to Guyana’s shores – it is one of worldwide fame – and it is what drew the Spanish, British, Portuguese, and other explorers to Guyana.

Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder – by Reanna Nickram

I’ve decided to reprint this beautiful article which was posted on the Facebook Page of the author, Reanna Nickram, because it does an awesome job of illustrating the beauty, diversity, and richness of this great land of ours. For locals, it just reinforces what we already know. Reanna Nickram is a Guyanese citizen who resides with her family in Lethem, Region 9. In this beautiful anecdote, she expresses her profound love and patriotism for her country of birth, Guyana.

Walking On Hot Coals – A Roman Catholic Tradition Celebrated in Region 9

I was told that walking over hot coals is part of the celebration of St. John’s Day in the Rupununi Savannahs as well as other hinterland regions of Guyana, South America. One resident of the Rupununi told me that walking over hot coals on the night of St. John’s Day (24th) is a common practice in many communities. They say that those who are free of sin will not be burned when they walk on the hot coals, but those who are sinful will be burned by the coals.

Esther Roth Creates Animal Paradise in Her Backyard

Guyanese born Anna Maria Esther Roth (full name: Anna Maria Esther Roth Dias), presently residing in the border town of Bonfim, Brazil, next to Lethem, Region 9, Guyana, has a special passion – a love for animals that she describes as an energy that she was born with. Her love for animals transcends that of the average person, and her charitable works in caring for animals extend way beyond owning a few pets. In fact, Esther has created in her home an animal sanctuary which she refers to as “Animal Paradise.”

1932 Venezuelan Stamp Proves that the Essequibo Was Never Part of Venezuela

As the Venezuelan people and government continue their ramblings over Guyana’s Essequibo territory, the Guyanese people are firmly resolved to holding their ground with their unified and resounding “not one blade of grass” song to the Venezuelans. But a 90-year-old Venezuelan stamp restates what we as Guyanese have known all along – that the Essequibo was never part of Venezuela, and that Caracas was never keen on claiming the Essequibo prior the 2015 oil discovery in Guyana’s waters.

Guyana Maps Form in Clouds Over Guyana

Clouds floating in the skies form all sorts of bizarre shapes including animals and even maps. If you look carefully and use your imagination, you can see just about any shape in the clouds above. But such a clear-cut, precise, and indisputable shape of the map of Guyana forming over the skies over Guyana can be interpreted as a miracle.

Meet Talented Guyanese Artist, Geveron Moses

A student of St. Ignatius Secondary School in Region 9 has painted an outstanding portrait of the late Queen Elizabeth II of England. The painting is now a world famous one after it went viral after we posted it on the Guyana, South America Facebook Page. In just one hour, the post reached over 10,000 people and received hundreds of congratulations. It is so easy to see that there is an enormous reservoir of hidden talent behind that painting!

The Kurupukari Crossing, Region 8

The Kurupukari Crossing is located along the Lethem – Georgetown Trail, about 5 hours’ drive from Lethem, and about 8 hours when you’re coming from Georgetown. There is where the Essequibo River cuts the trail into two parts. There is a boat service which ferries vehicles across the Essequibo River every hour of the day. This is called the Kurupukari Crossing.

Ori Hotel in Lethem, Region 9

What’s unique about Ori Hotel is its round-the-clock restaurant which serves a wide variety of delicious Guyanese cuisine. The dedicated staff of Ori Hotel’s round-the-clock restaurant get up early in the morning to have breakfast prepared for 7 AM. Lunch is ready for 12 Noon, and the menu board proudly displays the menu. Then, at around 6 PM, dinner is served. In between all of this is a wide variety of snacks such as buns, sponge cake, pastries, and local fruit juice available at all times.

Orealla Village, A Hidden Gem to Guyana’s East

Replete with breathtaking sceneries, Orealla Village is a nature paradise located to the East of Guyana in the county of Berbice. Also called Orealla Mission, the village lies on the Corentyne River about 33 miles south of Crabwood Creek. The only means of reaching Orealla Village from the coast at the time of this writing (December, 2022) is by boat. Speedboats run almost daily from Orealla Village to the Coast near to the Skeldon Village. The big passenger boat runs twice a week.

The Town of Lethem, Region 9

The town of Lethem is located in the county of Essequibo, Region No. 9, in the country of Guyana, South America. At the time of this writing, Lethem is officially a town, having been granted township in 2016 by the past APNU/AFC government, which ruled Guyana from 2015 to 2020, in fulfillment of a promise made during the 2015 elections campaigning.