By Miranda La Rose
Farmer, cultural icon and community volunteer Hilda Phillips nee Van Sluytman of Huradiah, Santa Rosa Village, Moruca, who turned 93 on January 20, and has seen much development in her hometown over the years, wants modern development to include a revival of the traditional, cultural way life of the Indigenous people in her village.
The revered and well-loved elder also wants a bridge built to link Huradiah with Santa Rosa Island, a main educational centre in the community.
“I wish for young people especially, to revive and preserve our traditional culture. Our culture was so rich and strong many years ago. You know in other villages, they still proudly keep their culture alive? I always admire how Kabakaburi and the villages in the Rupununi practice their culture. We in Santa Rosa were leaders in our culture and now we are failing,” she told Stabroek Weekend in a recent interview at her home in Huradiah.