The Guyana Marine Conservation Society (GMCS), in partnership with SBM Offshore Guyana, has launched a booklet featuring the culture and stories of the Warrau Indigenous people of Guyana.
The launch, held on September 29 at the National Center for Educational Resources Development (NCERD), marked a significant step in preserving the Warrau language, culture, and heritage, according to a media statement from SBM released this week.
Designed as both an educational and cultural resource, the booklet reflects a growing commitment to preserving Indigenous languages and traditions through education and community engagement.
GMCS is currently working with indigenous communities in the Barima Mora Passage (BMP), Region 1, to conserve biodiversity while advancing education, awareness, and community capacity in natural resource management. The organisation also promotes sustainable livelihoods that strengthen conservation and community well-being, while supporting and celebrating Indigenous culture and traditions.
‘A Glimpse of Warrau Culture’ is the fourth book in the BMP adventure series produced by GMCS with support from SBM Offshore Guyana. This booklet features a rich collection of stories, cultural references, language exercises, and illustrations that bring the traditions of the Warrau people to life.
Beyond serving as a teaching aid, it is intended to serve as a bridge between generations, providing young learners with access to their ancestral language while fostering cultural pride.
It added that these initiatives aim to create interactive spaces where students and teachers can connect with the Warrau heritage in a meaningful and lasting way.
Notably, the booklet celebrates the work of Indigenous artist Courtney Douglas, who painted the mural of the Warrau story, which is on display at the Imbotero Research Centre in the Barima Mora Passage. His mural inspired the illustrations of the ‘Sky People’ depicted in the booklet.
During the launch, Omwattie Ramdin, Director of NCERD, noted that as a former teacher, she has a deep appreciation for the initiative. “We gather here not just to unveil a book but rather to have a peep into a window… through which younger generations and future scholars may look, learn and come to appreciate and celebrate the heritage of the Warrau people.”
Annette Arjoon-Martins, GMCS co-founder and project director, during her remarks, thanked SBM Offshore Guyana for its continued support.
“Thanks to SBM for making this possible. But best of all, it allowed [the creation of] a suite of awareness tools using technology from the booklets to the animations, to the videos, to even a documentary,” she said.
SBM Offshore Guyana’s General Manager, Martin Cheong, reinforced the company’s commitment to support cultural preservation, noting, “This booklet is a beautiful celebration of heritage and identity, created to ensure that the stories, traditions and wisdom of the Warrau people continue to inspire this generation and those to come. At SBM Offshore Guyana, we believe sustainability is about more than protecting the environment; it is also about valuing people, their culture and knowledge. Today’s launch is a shining example of that vision in action.”
He noted that SBM Offshore Guyana is also supporting an Indigenous language database, furthering the preservation of the culture of Guyana’s first people.
According to the release, this initiative aligns with the company’s local development priorities, particularly addressing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals 4: Quality Education and 10: Reduced Inequalities.
By equipping schools and communities with culturally grounded resources, the booklet strengthens Indigenous identity while empowering youth across Guyana, the company said.
The launch was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Education, Protected Areas Commission, Iwokrama, Conservation International Guyana, EMC Foundation, other partners and members of the Indigenous community themselves.
