The 13th Annual Moruca Exposition attracted more than 600 persons to the Kumaka Recreational Ground on Saturday for a day of traditional games and activities.
Residents from surrounding communities of Kwebanna, Assakata, Santa Rosa and Mabaruma were among those who flocked the Expo. They came by river and land to participate in the day’s activities.
The day began with an archery competition that saw both male and female trying to hit a target some 15 meters in the distance. Even Minster within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Valerie Garrido-Lowe took aim at the target, but unfortunately, she was off the mark.
Then, it was off to face the heat of the ‘Hot Pot Competition’. This eating competition pitted persons to finish eating their plate of fish or meat cooked in extra hot pepper.
There was also male and female Fly drinking, crab quake making and crab catching competitions.
Indigenous people are known for their unique craft skills and array of foods, usually made from cassava and other ground provisions.
Patrons sampled deer and labba pepperpot with some fly drink from booths like the Sunshine Women’ Group, while hand bags and earrings made from coconut shell and buck bead, and even embroidered hand towels could be purchase at other stalls.
There were also information booths by the likes of the Ministry of Business and the International Organisation on Migration (IOM) and a Blood Bank, to help save lives.
The curtains came down on the Expo that night when Andera Wilson from the village of Assakata copped the crown for Miss Moruca 2017. Wilson outshone six other delegates through four rounds of competition: cultural, swim and evening wear, and a final question segment. The pageant was spliced with different cultural items including entertaining calypso music.
Minister Garrido- Lowe told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that Moruca Expo has much to offer. “From the time you leave Charity, and you get on the river the scenery along the way is breathtaking and of course the people are very friendly”. She added that the Expo will be one to compete with if there was more structure and more participation from the surrounding communities.
Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin, who was also in attendance, said that the activities at the Expo “were fun and entertaining”.
He committed that his Ministry and relevant agencies will work with the region and the organisers to improve the Expo on the business front. (DPI)
