If you missed their inaugural event last year, now is the chance to secure your seat as the Nine Nations Group promised that its much anticipated ‘Indigenous Imaginations’ event, will be even “bigger and better” come August 10, 2024.
Returning for its second edition, Indigenous Imaginations is organized by the Nine Nations, a relatively young group with the goal to promote and preserve Guyana’s Indigenous culture. This year’s event is being held under the theme ‘Ina Eseru’ which is derived from the Akawaio language which translates to “Our Traditions”.
Speaking about their upcoming event which will be hosted at The Black Magenta on Camp Street, Georgetown, the group’s Public Relations Officer, Dr. Leroy Hendricks told the Guyana Standard that the event will be conducted in two parts. The first session he explained will entail a well-packed exhibition, showcasing the diversity of indigenous culture and this is set to begin at 11am and end at 3pm. According to the Public Relations Officer, this session is where they will host informative workshops, craft demonstrations, and have an array of indigenous foods, drinks and crafts on sale. It should be noted that the entrance for this segment is free to the viewing public.
Set to leave you with a lasting impression that encompasses a unique blend of indigenous creativity and artistry, Dr. Hendricks shared that the second part of the event will be a fashion show, which will be from 6pm to 9pm. This session is set to feature eight designers and over 25 models and it would be the first time some designers are presenting their pieces on a public platform ranging from traditional to contemporary wear, he mentioned.
“This year we are featuring eight designers: Manicy Allicock, Matts and Annie’s Art, Natasha David, Lethem Excusive Apparel, Vanda Designs, and newcomers Sherica Ambrose and Elizabeth Williams and Dolly Chambers. They will all be bringing their unique styles from traditional wear, shirts, bags, swimwear, and jewelry.
“It’s definitely a spectacle you’d want to see. We’ll also be seeing the works of Nigel Butler, Courtney Douglas among other artists,” he elaborated.
Noting that it is an event one is not to miss, the Public Relations Officer revealed that the overall aim of Indigenous Imaginations is to create a platform for indigenous creatives to showcase their talents to a wider audience, increasing marketing and networking opportunities while at the same time promoting and preserving the indigenous culture.
He further shared that it is through this aim, the theme ‘Ina Eseru’ was chosen because it encompasses the past, the present and the future of Indigenous culture. “While we may know some of it, we do not know all of it and that is why this is important because it’s also a learning process for many of us. It is that bridge between Ancestral knowledge and contemporary lifestyle, whether it be art, language, medicine, food, or clothing,” he told the Guyana Standard.
Speaking briefly about their last event, he recalled that it was held at 299 Lance Gibbs Street, Queenstown and had five designers, approximately 15 models, three artists, five vendors, and an attendance of around 120 persons.
Anticipating that the turnout would be around 250 persons, he expressed this year “will definitely be bigger and better as we have already secured a bigger venue, secured 14 sponsors so far and the participation of over 50 individuals who are dedicating their time to make this possible.”
Of the 14 sponsors, they are the Guyana Tourism Authority, Guyana Outdoors, Sportsman, Shaw’s Media, Coles Screen Printers, Star Party Rentals, Burger King, Crown Road and Drainage Contractors, Crown Auto Imports, Cindy’s Bus Service, The Black Magenta, Gold Target Import, Brian Smith, Subrena Kissoon and Sydney Allicock, and AGM.
About The Nine Nations
Speaking of the organizers of this highly-esteemed event, Dr. Hendricks shared that The Nine Nations was formed a year ago on July 10, 2023 through a random conversation in a store by two of their founding members Sherica Ambrose and Nigel Butler.
He noted that they came up with the idea of creating something different in our society as it relates to celebrating Indigenous culture. “Though at the time there was no clear direction of what that meant, it was the starting of a conversation that led to the formation of a group of young people, indigenous and non-indigenous with the common goal of promoting and preserving our indigenous culture,” he explained.
He noted it was from then that the group has been consistently growing in its membership, and one month after its formation, it was able to pull off its first indigenous fashion show. He added that since its formation also, the group has been engaging youths in creative arts, participated in sharing information about the indigenous culture to organizations and schools. Hoping to build on these achievements, he invites all to participate in Indigenous Imaginations II, adding that tickets for the event which cost GY$5000 are available at the Black Magenta, the Amerindian Peoples Association, and The Nine Nations Group.
