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Oct 01, 2015 News
One year after flames ripped through one of the structures regarded as a symbol of Guyana’s heritage, moves are apace to reconstruct the people’s meeting place, or the Umana Yana as it is more popularly known.
At a simple sod-turning ceremony held yesterday, Government Ministers said that the Umana Yana, the conical palm thatched hut that once stood on the northern end on Main Street, Kingston, will be completed within the next six months. The project has a $66.7M price tag.
The ceremony was attended by Minister of Tourism Cathy Hughes; Minister of Education Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine; Chairman of the National Toshaos Council, Joel Fredericks; Toshao of St. Cuthbert’s Lenox Shuman; Toshao of Masakenari Paul Chekema and representatives of the Amerindian People’s Association (APA).
Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe remarked that yesterday was a historic day.
Garrido-Lowe said it was in August 1972, when the 55-foot tall Umana Yana was built to act as a conference centre for a visiting foreign delegation. According to history, the Umana Yana was erected by a team of about 60 Wai-Wai Amerindians.
“It was a total disaster and a sad day in 2014 during Heritage Month when this building was burnt down,” remarked the Junior Minister. On September 9, 2014, the Umana Yana – a large benab made of leaves, and other natural materials – was completely destroyed by fire of an electrical origin.
She said that yesterday’s event was the start to rebuilding the Umana Yana that will once again be in the city, serving as a reminder that the nine Indigenous tribes are highly skilled in building.
Garrido-Lowe said that the first Umana Yana was built without nails by the Wai-Wais, an Amerindian tribe known for their building abilities. She said that once again, the Wai Wais will be constructing the Umana Yana with the support of the people of Moraikobai and St. Cuthbert’s.
The latter two will be providing the materials for its construction. Garrido-Lowe told the gathering that Minister of Education Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine designed another structure that will be “as strong and just as majestic” as the building lost to fire last year.
Also speaking at the event, Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, said that the project is budgeted to cost $66.7M, and it will be done jointly between the Ministry of Public Infrastructure and the Indigenous peoples.
According to Patterson, his Ministry will be working on the foundation of the building. It is their intention to raise it one foot (12 inches) above the existing level. This, he said, was in keeping with climate change. For the foundation, $9.2M will be out for tender.
“We would like this building to stand for another 100 years so therefore it should withstand all the elements, including floods,” he said.
In the interim, the villages of Moraikobai and St. Cuthbert’s will be gathering the leaves to thatch the building, according to Patterson.
“We, as a people, learn from our mistakes. We’ve decided that we will not want to replicate any mistakes that may have caused the first edifice to burn down,” he said. To this end, the Minister has included $6M in the contract for fire prevention.
It is hoped that this would ensure that in the event of a fire, there will be methods to ensure it is extinguished. The Minister added that $16M will be spent on alternative energy sourcing as it is seeking to use solar panels to light and power the building.
He said tendering for the foundation is the first step that will be taken in reconstructing the edifice. Patterson said expectations are that the Umana Yana will be erected in six months, in time for the 50th Anniversary Celebrations.
Minister of Tourism Catherine Hughes told those gathered that every Guyanese felt the tremendous loss when this historic building went up in flames. She reflected on the attraction the Umana Yana was for visitors to this country.
“Each of us was really pained when we lost it so (yesterday was) really a celebration in that context,” remarked Hughes. She said that it was important that the Umana Yana is rebuilt in the same manner by the same experts, which she identified as members of the Indigenous community.
“It stands not only as a national symbol but also as a symbol of our national heritage. I think all Guyanese identify with that; we are proud of that. It is even more fitting that we are doing it on the very last day of our celebrations this year,” Hughes said in reference to the Amerindian Heritage Month celebrations which concluded yesterday.
She expressed hope that the indigenous peoples bring their art, culture, spirit and dedication into the construction to what she hopes will be a fine and lasting tribute to ancestors.
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