Successful August Games in South Rupununi 2014

Last week from August 24th to 29th, the annual August Games were held in Marauranao Village, South Rupununi Region 9. The name Marauranao in Wapishana means ‘giant Armadillo’ which inhabited the area before the people took up residence there. This Amerindian village is predominantly Catholic like most other villages in the South Rupununi, although recently there are other Christian denominations also present.

The activities began with an interfaith religious ceremony with the other Christian dominations. After this, the event was declared open by the Touchoa Daniel Aguilar, of the host village.  During the opening ceremony it was good to have the presence of the hounourable Minister of Amerindian Affairs Mrs Pauline Sukhai who presented some trophies for the games.

The games kick started soon after with fe male football. It was great to see the fe- males in action, running like full speed, passing and tackling with great skill in the field. It confirmed that our female football players of the Rupununi are very talented and that they can play quality football.

 At the Annual August Games this year there were seven villages from the Wapis hana communities of the south Rupununi participating. Those villages were: Aishalton, Arwarwanao, Craudauranao, Shea, Arciwib, the host village Marauranao. For the first time there was also a contingent from the Wai- Wai country of Masakenery Guns, from the extreme deep south of Guyana.

There were various activities and games each day during the course of the week. Some took place simultaneously.

 The origin of the August Games in South Rupununi goes back to 1966. It was pioneered by, Mr. Toney James of Aishalton and Mr. Adrian Gomes of Mauraoranao village. They were held as a way of promoting the culture and traditions of the Wapishana peoples. The annual August games also serve to unite the people of the South Rupununi to build community, share and learn from one another. 

During the week’s activities the Touchoa and Village Council of the host village are responsible for the welfare of the visiting teams and others. They encourage and promote a sober atmosphere during the games.

 For the first time, also included in the week of activities, there were classes for reading in Wapishana as a form of promoting literacy and preserving the language for the children and adults.

On Friday, the week’s activities ended with a closing ceremony done by one of the organizers of the event.

 Trophies were presented to the various winners. The wining team was Aishalton which came away with most of the prizes and the trophy for the champion village at the August games. 

Medino Abraham