At 60, Indigenous artisan Leomie Willis is determined to pass on the traditional skills she has spent years developing, but those skills have already helped her build something more tangible: three apartments in Region One.
Willis, who is of Warao and Arawak heritage, said income from her craft business and years of participating in Amerindian Heritage Month activities helped make the investment possible. She now plans to construct two more apartments.
Her story reflects how the Amerindian Arts, Crafts and Cuisine exhibition is helping Indigenous artisans preserve traditional practices while creating economic opportunities.
For Willis, however, protecting that knowledge remains the priority.
“I want to pass it on to the younger generation because if I don’t pass it on, it will die,” she said. “If anybody wants to learn, I am willing to teach them so somebody will remember my skills.”
Willis is among exhibitors from several regions displaying handmade jewellery, baskets, hammocks and other crafts produced from locally sourced materials.
She is also hoping to access the proposed $3 million collateral-free financing programme for Indigenous entrepreneurs once it becomes available.
Fellow exhibitor Rubyana Alleyne said Heritage Month allows her to preserve her culture while showcasing handicrafts created from local seeds and other materials.
By demonstrating how the items are made, Alleyne hopes to pass the knowledge to younger generations. The exposure has also earned her invitations to fashion shows and national celebrations, where she displays her work and shares its cultural significance with local and overseas visitors.
Region Two exhibitor Keith George also said participating provides a source of regular income that helps him support his family.
But he warned that Indigenous traditions could disappear if they are not actively preserved and passed on.
“If the culture dies, there is no culture to celebrate or recognise within the Indigenous heritage,” George said.
Visitors to the event can also sample Indigenous cuisine and beverages, including piwari, cassava bread, tacoma worms and wild meat.
The exhibitors are encouraging Guyanese to support Indigenous artisans by purchasing their products and learning about the traditions behind them.
