Paramakatoi Explained

Paramakatoi is an Amerindian^[2] community in the Potaro-Siparuni Region of Guyana, located in the Pacaraima Mountains. With an altitude of, it is 11miles east of Kurukabaru.

History

The Akawaio and Patamona people are the most prominent groups in the area. Their communities had a deep connection with the land for their reliance on hunting, fishing, and subsistence farming.

The village name comes from the name of the nearby creek, which is surrounded by Palamaka plants, and "toi" means savannah in the Patamona language. "Palamakatoi" became "Paramakatoi" when missionaries arrived in the area.^[3]

The colonial period saw the influence of the Dutch and later the British in the area, but much of the region's interior, including places like Paramakatoi, remained relatively isolated from European settlement.

Paramakatoi's development as a more established settlement is closely tied to the expansion of government and infrastructure in the 20th century. The community saw the establishment of roads, schools and health services in the 1950s and 1960s.

In modern times, Paramakatoi remains a small but significant administrative and cultural center for the local Indigenous communities. It serves as a hub for surrounding villages and is part of the government's efforts to provide services to remote areas.

Description

Paramakatoi functions as a regional centre for the catchment area. It is the largest and most developed of the Amerindian communities in the region, and is home to the Patamona, Macushi and Wapishana tribes.^[4]

It has a secondary school and has participated in the Hinterland Employment Youth Service (HEYS) programme since 2016.^{[5] [6]}

The village has a processing factory for sun-dried tomato products.^{[7] [8]}

In 2019, Paramakatoi hosted a debate held in the Patamona language, in observance of the International Year of Indigenous Languages.^[9]

Transport

Paramakatoi is served by the Paramakatoi Airport.^[10]

Notes and References

1. Web site: 2012 Population by Village. Statistics Guyana. 16 August 2020.
2. Web site: Indigenous Villages Ministry of Amerindian Affairs. 2021-01-05. en-US.
3. Web site: 2020-01-18. 1,700 births and counting. 2021-01-05. Stabroek News. en-US.
4. Web site: Daily life in Paramakatoi. Guyana Times International. 17 August 2020.
5. Web site: 2016-08-02. HEYS programme benefits 2,000 youth, 106 villages. 2021-01-05. Stabroek News. en-US.
6. Web site: 2018-07-01. New radio stations among successes of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry, Allicock says. 2021-01-05. Stabroek News. en-US.
7. Web site: 2018-01-31. ‘Pakaraima’ tomato ketchup hits local supermarket. 2021-01-05. Stabroek News. en-US.
8. Web site: 2020-08-03. Pakaraima Flavours Sundried Tomato Products Enters fourth year. 2021-01-05. Kaieteur News. en-US.
9. Web site: 2019-12-29. International Year of Indigenous Languages concludes with Patamona language debate. 2021-01-05. Stabroek News. en-US.
10. Web site: SYPM - Airport. GC Map. 29 November 2021.