Oh Casak!
On the farms, in practically every home, at gatherings in Isseneru, this local beverage runneth over. Refusal of the pinkish beverage made of cassava with potato for colour is not recommended. Be thankful that not all bashwar (bashwar being another name for casak which seems to be indigenous to Isseneru), is created equal.
Maybe one reason for the abundance of bashwar is the heat of Isseneru. In October, the sun beats down on this hilly community of 300 mainly Akawaio Amerindians on the banks of the Mazaruni River, a far way from anywhere. Isseneru is located in the heart of gold-mining country and the village has gotten into this activity with most of the villagers engaged in mining in some form or the other. With other jobs scarce, it is how the villagers make their money.
Mining has helped to develop the community. A multi-purpose centre costing $25 million, a $24 million guest house and a soon-to-be completed benab with
