Reclaiming The Land is this year’s theme for the celebration of Amerindian Heritage Day. The celebrations which begin on October 8 are being jointly organised by the Amerindian Project Committee of The Ministry of National Diversity and Social Integration and the Santa Rosa First Peoples Carib Community. The theme was chosen as the Carib Community looks forward to the acquisition of state land for the development of an Amerindian Village.
The main attractions of these celebrations will include an Edu-Fun cultural school tour which will feature thematic displays, interactive sessions, a wildlife exhibit and petting zoo, a taste of indigenous cuisine, tours and video presentations. The aim is to educate students and the general public about the history and culture of the Amerindian Peoples. The Heritage Fair and cultural performing show carded for October 12 will take place at the Santa Rosa Park, Arima. This very popular activity hosted by Errol Fabien will feature art and craft booths, interactive games, horseback riding, archery and performances from the various indigenous groups from Dominica, Guyana, Suriname, Canada and Trinidad.
Monday 8 October
10 am Opening Ceremony & Launch of Heritage Week
Roland’s Place, Wilson Street, 1.5 MM Blanchissuese Road, Arima
12 pm
Lunch at the designated site for Amerindian village
Tuesday 9 October
9 am - 3.00 pm
Edu-Fun Cultural School Tour (Wildlife/petting zoo Exhibit, taste of Amerindian cuisine, video/slide presentations, interactive sessions, games, cultural presentations, craft making, story-telling, performances)
Wednesday 10 October
9:00 am - 3.00 pm
Edu-Fun Cultural School Tour
10 am – 11.30 am
School Show at NAPA South
Thursday 11 October
9 am - 3 pm
Edu-Fun Cultural School Tour
Friday 12 October
10 am – 5 pm
Heritage Cultural Fair,
Santa Rosa Park, Arima
Wildlife exhibit, face painting, archery, stick fighting, horse-back riding, interactive sessions/games. Performances by visiting contingents—Guyana, Suriname, Dominica, Venezuela and Canada, art & craft displays, indigenous food on sale and much more
6 pm - 9 pm
Mini Cultural Show featuring different cultural groups and live parang performances.
Saturday 13 October
6 am – 9 am
Ancestral Ceremony
8.30 am - 2:30 pm
Heritage Tour of Arima
Sunday 14 October
7 am
Smoke Ceremony at the HYARIMA Statue, Princess Royal Park, Arima
8 am
Procession through the streets of Arima
9 am
Breakfast at Carib Centre
6 pm – 9 pm
Cultural indigenous performances and the play Hyarima by Pearl Eintou Springer
Monday 15th October
ALL DAY
Heritage tour and Lecture to Tobago