The Village of Baramita is again in crisis

Apr 13, 2022 Letters

Dear Editor,

Soon after the APNU+AFC’s accession to political office in 2015, it was recognised that the Indigenous Karyina (Carib) Village of Baramita was severely afflicted by grave social ills. I shall not detain readers with a list, especially since the plight of a people should not be preyed upon. Suffice it to say, however, that, interpersonal violence and unprecedented and alarmingly high rate of suicide headed the list. It was believed that alcohol consumption was the principal causation. Coming a close second were some policemen who by day became poke knockers and by night disc jockeys.

The Government of Guyana established a “Baramita Task Force”. The task force comprised a number of government ministries, State and other agencies. Interventions included but were not limited to: construction of a school kitchen, stationing of a female Police Officer in Command, closure of illegal mining operations, closing of illegal shops, particularly those vending ‘hard alcohol’ and health outreach exercises.

The Village elected its first ever female Toshao who marshalled her council in service to her people and alongside the task force. A resident Community Development Officer (CDO) was assigned to the Village. A toll gate/check point was established and manned by Village Councillors, police and residents. Vehicles and persons attempting to smuggle drugs and hard alcohol into the village were denied entry and were handed over to the Police. Persons who had violated the rules of the Village were given written notice to leave and never return after consideration by the Village Council and General Village Meeting.

Now that the PPP is occupying the office of government the Village of Baramita is again in crisis. The political activists did what they had to do to elect “one of their own” while unseating Toshao Charmaine Rambajue. The Village is now paying the price for that mistake.

The residents say that, the new Toshao, Mr. Trevor Matheson has returned the Village to the bad days. There is allegedly once again unlimited supply of marijuana and High Wine in Baramita. The Karyina (Carib) people are now servants of the Brazilian businessmen. They walk on gold but remain dirt poor. The Toshao allegedly issues permission, both written and oral, to the wealthy Brazilians to establish: hotels, eating houses, mining operations, gold trading businesses and prostitution rings. It is alleged that, the Toshao performs these actions without the knowledge, participation or consent of the Village Council or General Village population, contrary to law.

It is time for the Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), Immigration Department, Customs Anti-narcotic Unit, Excise Department of the GRA and others to step up their operations in the Baramita Village. It is clear that the Honourable Minister of Amerindian Affairs is not prepared to do anything about the suffering of the people of Baramita. I have been advised, and do believe that, at least one person has (unofficially) brought the situation to the attention of the Minister, but remains frustrated at the inaction.

Baramita is the largest single settlement of Indigenous Karyina (Carib) Guyanese with a population of approximately 3,000. The Karyina people need to be protected from exploitation, abuse and diseases. In the early days, it was the ‘coast landers’ who posed the threat. Now, however, it is the foreigners, tens of them, many of whom do not possess documentation to lawfully conduct business in Guyana.

I am of the Karyina People and urge that, immediate steps are taken to save my people from certain destruction and eventual extinction.

Yours faithfully,

Mervyn Williams