Sand Creek (Wapishana: Suburun Tao[2]) is a village in the Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo Region of Guyana. Sand Creek is inhabited by Wapishana Amerindians.[1] It is located on the Rupununi River.[2] The main language spoken in the village is Wapishana with English as secondary language.[1]
Sand Creek
Suburun Tao | |
|---|---|
Village | |
  Sand Creek Location in Guyana | |
| Coordinates: 2°59′43″N 59°31′11″W / 2.9952°N 59.5198°W | |
| Country |  Guyana |
| Region | Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo |
| Government | |
| • Toshao | Lawrence Henry (2012-)[1] |
| Area | |
• Total | 360 km2 (140 sq mi) |
| Population (2021)[1] | |
• Total | 834 |
Overview
editThe economy of Sand Creek is based on livestock ranching and subsistence farming. The village has a primary and secondary school as well as a health centre.[1]
The village is known for the Sand Creek Rodeo which takes place every Easter Monday. The rodeo started in the 1980s as a pass time for the villagers, but has turned into a professional rodeo attracting visitors from all over the country.[3]
The beaches near the village are used by the yellow-spotted river turtle to lay their eggs. Traditionally both the turtles and eggs were considered a delicacy.[4] The SRDC (South Rupununi District Council) embarked on a wildlife conservation program in Sand Creek.[5] On 11 September 2021, the first turtle festival was held, releasing more than 200 turtles into the wild. The SRDC plans to make the festival an annual event.[4]
In May 2021 the Rupununi River flooded, affecting 114 houses and many hectares of farm land.[6]
Transport
editSand Creek is served by the Sand Creek Airport.[7] The village can be accessed by road from Lethem, however a stream has to be forded.[8]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f "Sand Creek". Ministry of Indigenous Affairs. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
- ^ a b "The unexplored South Rupununi". Visit Rupununi. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
- ^ "Sand Creek Rodeo – a growing Rupununi attraction". Department of Public Information. 23 April 2019. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
- ^ a b Joanna Dhanraj (19 September 2021). "Sand Creek residents embark on new traditions to preserve turtle population". Stabroek News. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
- ^ Lucien Chauvin. "Amerindian culture and land rights shape conservation in Guyana's Rupununi region". Forests News. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
- ^ "114 houses in Sand Creek flooded, farmlands under water". News Room Guyana. 21 May 2021. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
- ^ "SDC - Facility". GC Map. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
- ^ "Sand Creek Village – Crossing the Creek". Guyana South America. Retrieved 29 November 2021.