Sand Creek, Guyana Explained

Official Name:Sand Creek
Other Name:Suburun Tao
Settlement Type:Village
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:Lawrence Henry (2012-)[1]
Area Total Km2:360
Population As Of:2021
Population Total:834
Population Blank1 Title:Ethnicities
Population Blank2 Title:Religions
Coordinates:2.9952°N -59.5198°W

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]

Overview

The 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

Sand 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]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Sand Creek. Ministry of Indigenous Affairs. 29 November 2021.
  2. Web site: The unexplored South Rupununi . Visit Rupununi. 29 November 2021.
  3. News: Sand Creek Rodeo – a growing Rupununi attraction. 23 April 2019. Department of Public Information. 29 November 2021.
  4. News: Sand Creek residents embark on new traditions to preserve turtle population . Stabroek News. 29 November 2021. 19 September 2021 . Joanna Dhanraj.
  5. Web site: Amerindian culture and land rights shape conservation in Guyana’s Rupununi region . Lucien Chauvin. Forests News. 29 November 2021.
  6. News: 114 houses in Sand Creek flooded, farmlands under water . 21 May 2021. 29 November 2021. News Room Guyana.
  7. Web site: SDC - Facility. GC Map. 29 November 2021.
  8. Web site: Sand Creek Village – Crossing the Creek. Guyana South America. 29 November 2021.