Heritage Month festivities kick off with Inter-Faith service

Sep 01, 2013 News

Members of the Amerindian community joined together, last evening, with several religious organisations to usher in Amerindian Heritage Month 2013 with prayer and thanksgiving.
The prayers were offered at the Umana Yana during the inter-faith service held annually by the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs. The service marked the first on the list of activities planned to commemorate this year’s Heritage Month, celebrated under the theme, “Honouring our Culture; Advancing our Future”.
Among those in attendance were members of the Diplomatic Corps; Project Coordinator of the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, Jude DaSilva, and Community Development Officer, Deon Johnson, who offered the welcoming remarks of the ceremony in the native language Akawaio.
Unfortunately, the Minister of Amerindian Affairs was unable to witness the opening of the inter-faith service due to having attended the welcoming ceremony of Venezuelan President, Nicolás Maduro.
The inter-faith service, however, went on with representation in prayers, hymns and sermons from the various religious denominations and organisations.
The Hallelujah group, an Amerindian-based religious group, out of Region Seven also participated, with the sacred chants in their native language resounding into the environs.
Deon Johnson, who translated the chants for the benefit of the audience, noted that those recited were of a biblical background, with reference often made to ‘God’ or ‘Christ’.
The Amerindian community was urged that with the coming of Heritage Month this year, they should strive to ‘advance their future’ through transformation, by re-examining their values and goals for themselves and ultimately for the nation.
It was noted that the living conditions in many Amerindian villages have improved, while education is widespread and is “making a great difference.” At the same time, crime, particularly domestic violence, and “other evils that still exist” were identified as areas of much needed improvement.
The festivities for Amerindian Heritage Month 2013 will continue with the official launch this evening at the Amerindian Village, Sophia Exhibition Complex, to be followed by other activities including the Food and Craft Exhibition, the Cultural Nights, Heritage Village celebrations and the Heritage Pageant.

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Heritage Month festivities kick off with Inter-Faith service

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