The word Kaieteur means Old Man’s Falls, referring to the fall of Kai, a Touchau (Toshao) of the Patamona people, over the waterfalls. Most of us have heard of the Kaieteur News newspaper. We know that the name is derived from the Kaieteur Falls but have you wondered where or how the famous Kaieteur Falls got its name? Well, you are in luck. Continue reading and hopefully, you leave knowing a little bit more about the origin story of Kaieteur Falls.
Who is Kai?
The Kaieteur Falls was named after Kai. The most popular tale of Kai tells us of the Chenau village chief or Touchau (Toshao). Kai was a Patamona, one of the nine tribes of Indigenous people who came to Guyana. Kai wore a tall, colourful headdress made of feathers of the rarest birds. A piece of animal hide covered his loin. He was brown-skinned, short and muscular, like many of our Indigenous people.
The Story of Old Kai
Many years ago before the Kaieteur Falls was named, there lived a peaceful tribe of the Patamonas on the Potaro. The Patamonas called themselves the Kapon. Their descendants live there to this day. They are protectors of the sacred falls and life around it. This tribe of people lived along the waterway of the Pakaraima Mountains in a village called Chenau.
Not very far away lived a warrish tribe of Caribisi, commonly known as Caribs. The Caribs were a ferocious set of Amerindians. They fought among themselves to prove bravery. The Caribs fought to win the domination of other tribes as a show of power. The Patamonas of Chenau were no exception to this sick power battle. The Caribs regularly raided and tormented the village of Chenau. The Patamonas farmed cassava, corn, vegetables, and sweet potatoes. Caribs would raid Chenau and carry off the women and food grown by the Patamonas.
After being steadily attacked by the Caribs, the village chief at the time, Kai, sought for a peaceful way out. He prayed humbly to the Makonaima, the Great Spirit of their people. This Great Spirit does not have a physical form and is never seen by mortal man. Makonaima spoke to Kai and he listened. One day in an act of self-sacrifice, Kai took his wooden canoe and paddled faithfully over the waterfall. This was done in exchange for the protection of his tribe. He selflessly gave up his life in exchange for peace, rather than start a war between the tribes. This is proof in itself of how harmonious and peace-loving the Patamonas were. It is said that Kai’s canoe lies at the bottom of this great falls and has been turned to stone.
The Kaieteur Falls is named after this brave village chief, Kai. The falls is also referred to as Kayik Tuwuk or Old Man Falls in the Patamona language. Descendants of Kai and his tribe live on the Potaro River, guiding travelers and protecting the life around Kaieteur Falls. (Article republished from: ThingsGuyana.COM, https://www.thingsguyana.com/the-story-of-old-kai-naming-the-kaieteur-kai-falls/)
