GRADE FIVE SOCIAL STUDIES
Last week’s answers 1. False 2. True 3. False 4. False 5. True 6. True 7. Cacique Crown of Valour 8. Golden Arrow of Achievement Umana Yana. The monument, unveiled on August 26, 1974 on ‘Namibia Day’ by then President of Guyana, Forbes Burnham serves to show Guyana’s respect and support for the African Liberation Movement in the continent of Africa. This structure made of five greenheart pillars of irregular height and a slab of granite represent the strength of the movement. The pebbles at its base represent thousands of people all over the world who keep on struggling for freedom from human bondage.
The Umana Yana The term Umana Yana originated from the Wai Wai, Amerindian tribe. It is used to describe their huge thatched hut called a benab in which they gather together as a meeting place. The monument is located on High Street, Kingston, Georgetown. The first Umana Yana was erected in 1972 for the NonAligned Foreign Ministers Conference. It was designed by Mr. George Henry, a Guyanese architect and was built by about sixty Wai Wai men and their Chief Elka from Konashen, Rupununi. The condition of the benab deteriorated overtime and it was rebuilt and refurbished. Unfortunately, it was destroyed again in September 2014 by fire. The reconstruction of the present benab was completed in 2016.
The 1763 Monument This monument is located at the junction of Vlissengen Road, Brickdam, Homestretch Avenue and Hadfield Street in Georgetown. The area around the monument is called the Square of the Revolution but many of us call it ‘Cuffy Square’ and the monument ‘Cuffy Monument’. Cuffy along with other brave enslaved Africans from Plantation Magdelenburg in Berbice started the struggle for freedom for the enslaved Africans on February 23, 1763 when they rebelled against the Dutch colonists.
Phillip Moore, a Guyanese sculpted the fifteen foot structure which is built on a concrete plinth or base designed by Albert Rodrigues. The five plaques on the monument symbolize or stand for Control, Praise and Thanksgiving, Destroying the enemies, Uniting the People and Seeking Inspiration. The monument was unveiled by then Prime Minister, Forbes Burnham on May 23, 1976 to mark Guyana’s tenth Independence Anniversary.
Next week we shall learn about the significance of other national monuments.
For you to do 1. Collect pictures of monuments for your
Social Studies corner. 2. Visit monument sites with your parents or
responsible adults. 3. Continue to identify, locate and learn about the special historical significance of national monuments in Guyana. Goodbye boys and girls, have a blessed week.