Tribute to Father John Peter Bennett with “Moving Circle” exhibit

The Education and Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministries have collaborated to pay homage to late Father John Peter Bennett, who produced the Arawak-English dictionary, at the National Art Gallery, Castellani House, as the celebration of Amerindian Heritage Month. The tribute took the form of an exhibition of artwork by indigenous artists called the “Moving Circle”.

In his remarks at the launch on Thursday, Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Minister Sydney Allicock said that Guyana’s indigenous people have made major contributions to the country’s development.

He added that the talents that the country’s youngsters currently posses must be identified, so that the support and encouragement can be given, enabling them to achieve even greater excellence.

The Indigenous Minister told upcoming artists that his Ministry would support their endeavours without discriminating against age. He also stressed that art needed to be reintroduced into schools.

Also speaking at the function, Education Minister Dr Roopnaraine assured the artist present of the support of the Education Ministry.

Internationally acclaimed artist George Simon shared, at the event’s launch that after reading Father Bennett’s work, he thought that it would be ideal to pay homage to the man that produced the Arawak-English dictionary, which was a “great contribution to preserve the Loko (Arawak) Culture”. He explained that this exhibition would be very interactive as some of the artists will be present to show how their pieces were created.

Early life

Bennett was born in Kabakaburi on November 30, 1914. He completed his formal schooling around the age of 12, but continued to read widely.

After working as a catechist in Massara, North Rupununi and as acting Head Teacher at St Monica, Pomeroon, Bennet attended Codrington College in Barbados from 1946-1949 to train for the priesthood.

He was ordained as a priest later in 1949 and would serve as priest in several parts of Guyana: New Amsterdam, Port Mourant, Bartica, North Rupununi, Waramuri and other areas in the North West Region, and finally Kabakaburi and the entire Pomeroon parish. In 1976, he was made a Canon of the Anglican Church.

It was his contact with the various Amerindian peoples in the different villages he worked in that gave him the idea of starting his scholastic work on the Arawak Language. He noted that the Macushis of the North Rupununi, the Caribs of the Barama and Manawarin villages and the Warrus of Waramuri and Warapoka, for example, all spoke and sang in their respective languages. He realised that the church services did not have to be conducted in English. He also noted that in Kabakaburi, the use of the Arawak Language was rapidly disappearing.

He started the Arawak dictionary in the late 1950s and received tremendous encouragement through correspondence from Jamaican lawyer, academic and politician, Richard Hart. They eventually met in 1992 after corresponding for more than 30 years.

The first edition of An Arawak-English Dictionary was published in 1989 and the second edition in 1994.

Bennet was compiling an additional list of Loko words and their meanings which ended when he lost his sight in 1998. His other unpublished works include translations of some books of the Bible and Loko Stories, a collection of stories written in Arawak and English.

Bennett passed away in November 2011 several days before his 97th birthday. He dedicated his life to serving in his vocation as priest, but he also made a tremendous effort helping to preserve and to advocate the preservation of the Arawak Language.

Bennett continues to be an inspiration for many, especially his fellow indigenous brothers and sisters.

Chair of Castellani House, Alim Hosein stated that February 2016 will mark 25 years for the “Moving Circle” of indigenous artists in Guyana.

The exhibition concludes on September 30. (jpinder@guyanatimesgy.com)