The ribbons to Kulanau, the Amerindian Village which has been constructed as part of preparations for the Caribbean Festival of Arts (Carifesta), were cut on Saturday when it was handed over to the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs.

The village was named Kulanau because it stood through the recent high winds that hit Georgetown and outlying areas. The structures in the almost completed Amer-indian dwelling were constructed by a team of 28 workers from Paramakatoi, Waramadong, Kamwatta and Moraikobai. Traditional materials from Moraikobai and other Amerindian villages were used to construct the dwelling.

Present at the handing over ceremony were Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai; Minister within the Ministry of Education, Dr Desrey Fox, Village Coordi-nator, Toshao of Moraikobai, Colin Andrews and members of indigenous community.

Toshao Andrews explained that the village will allow persons who have never visited the hinterland to experience what it is like. He explained that nine buildings, representing each of the nine Amerindian tribes, were supposed to be constructed. However, only six buildings have been erected.

However, the Toshao noted that “the spirit of the Amerindian people will still be represented for Carifesta” and thus far, of the six structures only the Macushi/ Wapishana dwelling is still to be completed.

Carifesta, the Government Information Agency press release further stated, will be officially opened on August 22 at the Guyana National Stadium and Kulanau will be opened the following day in spiritual style.