Indigenous Nations Showcase Culture at Tasin Panza Village
By Antonio Dey | HGP Nightly News
Georgetown, Guyana – The vibrant traditions of Guyana’s first peoples were on full display as nine indigenous nations gathered at the Tasin Panza Village along Main Street to celebrate and showcase their cultural heritage through craft, clothing, and culinary arts.
Among the highlights was the work of Mayline Patterson-Hinds, artisans from the village of Santa Arta in Region Three, who presented a wide array of Amarindian handicrafts skillfully made from the ite palm (tibisiri straw).
“These are all handmade, crafted entirely from tibiSIRI straw,” Hinds explained, noting that her family business has been operating for over 15 years with outlets also established in Georgetown.
Luanna Willis, another exhibitor from Maruma, Region One, echoed the pride of indigenous communities in bringing their crafts to the capital each year.
“Thank God for the strength that you have given us in spite of some of the challenges,” Willis said, displaying handwoven hammocks, jewelry boxes, hats, and decorative items, all made from traditional materials.
The cultural showcase also extended into the culinary arts. Pamela English of Region One drew crowds with her display of traditional indigenous beverages, including the famed potato wine, known colloquially as “fly wine.”
“This potato only grows in swampy areas—it isn’t for eating or cooking but is used exclusively to make this special drink,” English explained. She added that fly wine is lightly fermented and has nutritional value, especially for persons living with diabetes.
The Tasin Panza Village remains a cultural centerpiece during Amerindian Heritage Month, allowing Guyanese and visitors alike to appreciate the artistry, resilience, and traditions of the nation’s first peoples.
