Arima Caribs and their Connections to Guyanese Amerindians

Maximilian C. Forte, 1999, 2001, 2006

Although Guyana represents an important source of original Carib culture to some people in the Arima Carib Community, as part of the Orinoco-Amazon area, not many seem to focus on this relationship in their discussions concerning ties with other Caribbean Amerindians. The President, Ricardo Bharath, is an important exception however, having personally made a voyage to the Carib settlements of the Pomeroon River area of northwestern Guyana. There have also been several delegations of Guyanese Caribs to Trinidad especially in 1988, 1992, 1993, 1995, 2004 and 2006. Among these visits, a team of weaving specialists spent eight weeks in the Carib Centre in Arima teaching traditional weaving techniques.

GUYANESE AMERINDIANS AT THE ARIMA CARIB CENTRE
These are photographs on display on the walls of the Santa Rosa Carib Community Centre, showing members of a Guyanese Amerindian delegation on hand to share their weaving skills and display their products. This was one of a number of delegations from Guyana, with special ties formed between the Carib President and the Caribs of the Pomeroon River area of Guyana. (Photos © 1998, Maximilian C. Forte)

The Carib Centre itself is adorned with many examples of Guyanese basketry which, depending on the eye of the beholder, may be some of the finest weaving in evidence. Walls also display photos of the Guyanese Carib weaving specialists (see above). Other artifacts from Guyana prominently displayed in the Carib Centre are a small replica of a Guyanese Amerindian pirogue made out of a hollowed out tree log. In addition, Guyanese Carib artifacts are routinely included in public displays and exhibits mounted by the Carib Community of its artifacts, an important statement of both structure and symbolism.
 

This photo demonstrates a display of woven items of the Santa Rosa Carib Community, as featured at an exhibit in the Royal Bank branch in Arima in 1998. Some of the items shown were brought from Guyana. (Photo © 1998, Maximilian C. Forte)

What struck me personally was the jarring dualistic symbolism of the decoration of the central pillars of the Carib Centre, beginning at the top with coronas of roses symbolizing those worn by Santa Rosa (and thus standing in for Santa Rosa herself), with a stream of ribbons down the length of the pillar in imitation of that which is produced by children during a maypole dance (honouring the Virgin Mary), and ending in a Guyanese Amerindian item pertaining to male hair, the porokrima, into which a man's pigtail is inserted. This item was brought to Arima by Guyana Caribs.

GUYANESE AMERINDIAN ITEMS AT THE ARIMA CARIB CENTRE
At left: a canoe brought as a gift by a Guyanese Amerindian delegation during CARIFESTA 1992, when Amerindian performances were staged in Arima. Centre and Right: a pillar in the Carib centre with a porokrima at its base, as discussed in the paragraph above. (Photos © 1998, Maximilian C. Forte)

The processing of cassava and the weaving of the coulevre (or matapi) and the manare, are some of the most important techniques and processes that the two groups share in common.

The Carib President is kept abreast of Indigenous issues in Guyana via regular receipt of the newsletter of the Guyanese Organisation of Indigenous Peoples (GOIP). He has traveled to Guyana on at least two occasions, and was hosted by GOIP on one occasion. Three delegates from GOIP were also hosted by the Arima Caribs in September 2006.