Karasabai Explained

Official Name:Karasabai
Settlement Type:Village
Dot Y:-->
Pushpin Map:Guyana
Pushpin Label Position:bottom
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in Guyana
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name: Guyana
Subdivision Type1:Region
Subdivision Name1:Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo
Leader Title:Toshao
Leader Name:Marlon Edwards
Unit Pref:Imperial
Population As Of:2009
Population Footnotes:[1]
Population Total:1,600
Population Blank1 Title:Ethnicities
Population Blank2 Title:Religions
Coordinates:4.0329°N -59.5449°W

Karasabai is an indigenous village of Macushi Amerindians in the Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo Region of Guyana. It is located in the South Pakaraima Mountains,[2] and near the Ireng River which flows south to the Amazon River.

Legend

According to the legends of the Macushi people, Makonaima descended to Earth and the indigenous peoples are his offspring. On his travels, Makonaima passed a creek where a treasure was located. He decided to turn the treasure to stone. The village of Karasabai is located at the bay of that creek.[3]

Overview

Karasabai has a school, and a health care clinic. The nearest big town is Normandia in Brazil. The primary language of its inhabitants is Macushi with English as the secondary language.[1] The major religion is Christianity.[2]

In December 2020, an ambulance, which was customised for rough terrain, was delivered to the community.[4] In March 2021, 112 tractors were delivered to Amerindian villages, Karasabai included to, 'to boost agriculture to ensure that food security across the hinterland is sustained and secured so our people will not go hungry in times of disaster, and that agriculture will be taken to a different level.' according to the Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhi.[5]

As of 2019, the village is negotiating indigenous land rights with the government of Guyana.[6]

Karasabai is connected to Lethem by road. In 2016, a road was constructed to Monkey Mountain.[7] The Karasabai Airport is located near the village. There are no radio or television signals. Telephone services and internet access are very limited.[8]

The G$ 5M Karasabai's Community Development Project was launched on 20 January 2018 as part of the Amerindian Development Fund in order to set up a tourism industry.[9]

Economy

The economy of the village is based on subsistence farming, and cattle rearing.[2]

Launched in January 2018, the Kezeé Eco Lodge is a tourist resort located in the village.[10] Karasabai is one of the few places where the sun parakeet (ratinga solstitialis) can be observed in the wild.[3]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Karasabai . Ministry of Indigenous Peoples' Affairs. 2 March 2021.
  2. Web site: Discover Karasabai – Things You Need To Know & See. Things Guyana. 2 March 2021.
  3. Karasabai, Guyana: Makonaima’s treasure. Annette Arjoon. 156. Caribbean Beat. 2 March 2021.
  4. Web site: $16.7M ambulance for Karasabai. iNews Guyana. 2 March 2021.
  5. Web site: 2021-03-21. Gov’t bought 112 tractors to spur agriculture in Amerindian villages. 2021-12-05. Department of Public Information. en-GB.
  6. Web site: Indigenous land rights inches closer to reality. Department of Public Information. 2 March 2021.
  7. Web site: Monkey Mountain – An alluring sight to see. Things Guyana. 1 March 2021.
  8. Web site: Karasabai. 2021-12-05. Guyana Chronicle. en-US.
  9. Web site: 2018-01-19. Karasabai’s Community Development Project to be launched on Saturday. 2021-12-05. Department of Public Information. en-GB.
  10. Web site: Karasabai Village – South Pakaraimas – Region 9. Guyana South America.gy. 2 March 2021.