Local designers came together to showcase the ethnic diversity of their crafts at the two-day Arrival Day Village hosted by the Ministry of Education, which concluded on Wednesday.
The event, held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, aimed to highlight the diverse contributions of Guyanese immigrants in areas such as food, culture, fashion, arts and crafts, artifacts, dance, and music.
Fashion designer and consultant Mwanza Glenn presented a stunning collection of African wear, accompanied by food, music, and other cultural elements, which added vibrancy to the event. Speaking with Ignite News, Glenn explained that his showcase aimed to take attendees on a journey exploring the history of Afro-Guyanese people—from their origins, the horrors of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, their arrival in Guyana, and the hardships they endured on plantations.
“We just wanted to take you alongside the journey of Afro-Guyanese—where they came from, what they’re doing, the countries they came from, the humid, horrible experiences they endured, the journey through the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, to landing in Guyana, and even after—auctions, brandings, and torture on the slave plantations. We just wanted to bring that to light,” Glenn stated.
He added that the exhibit was designed to educate students in attendance, connecting the information they read in textbooks to a multi-sensory experience of Afro-Guyanese history.
Additionally, jewellery and arts and crafts designer Natasha David showcased a range of Amerindian arts, crafts, jewellery, food, and artifacts, offering insights into indigenous culture. Her display included traditional items like chains made from indigenous beads and seeds, earrings, baskets, a matapee, and a hammock made from cotton.
Students, teachers, and patrons who attended the two-day event enjoyed live cultural presentations representing Guyana’s diverse ethnic groups.
A display from Natasha’s collection (Moses Williams photo)
Mwanza Glenn’s booth was a major attraction ( Utamu Belle photo)
