Monkey Mountain (also Wandike) is an indigenous village in the Potaro-Siparuni Region of Guyana. The village is inhabited by the Patamona and Macushi tribes. Monkey Mountain is located near the Brazilian border.[3] The village shares its name with the nearby mountain with a height of 591 metres (1,939 ft).[4] The name is derived from the seasonal migration of monkeys on and around the nearby mountains.[5]
Monkey Mountain
Wandike | |
|---|---|
Village | |
 | |
  Monkey Mountain Location in Guyana | |
| Coordinates: 4°27′08″N 59°36′10″W / 4.4522°N 59.6028°W | |
| Country |  Guyana |
| Region | Potaro-Siparuni |
| Government | |
| • Toshao | Lincoln Singh[1] |
| Elevation | 1,700 ft (500 m) |
| Population (2012)[2] | |
• Total | 711 |
Overview
editMonkey Mountain is located in the North Pakaraima Mountains, and lies at an altitude of 1,700 feet (520 m).[6] The village has a school, a health centre,[7] and a police station.[3] The people in Monkey Mountain are multilingual, speaking Patamona, Macushi, Portuguese and English.[5] The village received internet connection in 2019.[6] The toshao (village chief) as of 2019 is Lincoln Singh.[1]
A major attraction is the North Pakaraima Exposition, a two-day event with exhibits and sport competitions for the indigenous communities.[3]
Economy
editThe economy used to be based on subsistence farming, hunting and gathering.[3] An important economic activity for the village is quarrying precious stones like crystals, amethyst, jasper and agate.[8]
In 2018, a lapidary was built with government assistance and in cooperation with the villages of Kato, Kurukabaru, Maikwak, and Tuseneng. The lapidary will allow the villagers to process the stones themselves, and export jewellery.[8]
Transport
editThere is an unpaved road connection between Karasabai and Monkey Mountain. The main access is by air via the Monkey Mountain Airport located near the village.[3]
References
edit- ^ a b "The stone specialists". Department of Public Information. 2 November 2019. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
- ^ "2012 Population by Village". Statistics Guyana. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
- ^ a b c d e "Monkey Mountain – An alluring sight to see". Things Guyana. 11 March 2019. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
- ^ "Monkey Mountain". Geonames. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
- ^ a b Neil Marks (2017). "Pakaraima bound". Caribbean Beat. Vol. Issue 144. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
{{cite news}}:|volume=has extra text (help) - ^ a b "Future looks good for residents of Monkey Mountain". Kaieteur News Online. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
- ^ "Monkey Mountain". Guyana Chronicle. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
- ^ a b "$10M lapidary for Monkey Mountain on stream". Department of Public Information. 8 November 2018. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
