Jan 10, 2014 - First Lokono-Arawak Twins in Living Memory To Receive Amerindian Names by Damon Corrie
On the third day of January, at 9am (and 4 and 9 are sacred numbers to traditionalists), Lokono-Arawak parents Vicky and Reginald (aka ‘Rejum’) Shuman saw the birth of twin sons in Guyana (they have 4 children – 2 sons and 2 daughters – from before).
Twins are a rare occurrence, it has only happened 3 other times in living memory in the 1700 person tribe on Pakuri Arawak Territory; but thanks to their pro-traditionalist parents – this time it is ever more special than normal….for Vicky and Reginald have given their sons traditional Amerindian Names.
Father Reginald sent message by way of his cousin Juanita Simon (one of my younger sister-in-laws on Pakuri Arawak Territory) to ask me to give him some Amerindian names for their sons, not just because I was the first person on Pakuri to give my Amerindian children traditional names, and not just because my wife is one of Reginalds cousins; the connection between ‘Rejum’ and I is deeper than that..because we shared an unbreakable bond of brotherhood with my wife’s brother Ernest (aka ‘Rami’) Simon (in Camo jacket without hat) and with each other, both Rejum and Rami had volunteered without hesitation to accompany me on several adventures in Guyana throughout the 1990’s that put our lives on the line…..and all three of us have had many supernatural experiences, together – and separately.
Rejum was once hunted by ‘Jaguar of a different sort’ in the Mountains of the northwest who was following his blood trail…after Rejum had severed an artery in his arm whilst all alone, miles away from another human being, he eventually evaded for days – severely wounded though he was – and made it to safety…though only a hairs width away from death, and he is as tough as nails….he will train these boys well. It was an honor to have Vicky and Reginald ask me for names and to make myself and my wife these twins first God-parents; eternal blessings and the divine protection of Adaiahulu – the Great Holy Spirit, be upon them always.
First son (at right in photo) is named ‘Fararin’ – which means ‘Warrior’ in Lokono-Arawak, second son (at left) is named ‘Waskar’ – which is the Kichwa Amerindian name of the 13th Inca Emperor who ruled the northern part of the Inca Empire almost 500 years ago before the Spaniards invaded it.
Reginald Shuman (in Camo with hat in 2 photos) is the second son of Chief Reuben Shuman (in blue shirt at centre of the photo of Tribal Elders, half of whom are no longer alive) who lead the tribe many years before, after his brother Chief Clifford Shuman – who was tribal leader before him.
These first young warriors of the Lokono-Arawak people to be born in 2014 will be experiencing their first ceremony on their ninth night in this life on 11th January, a time when friends and family will gather at the parents home to pay their respects, congratulations, well-wishes and offerings to the happy couple.
These boys will grow into men who will do great things for the people at that time…during the long days few see coming, that will be upon us very soon.
Damon Gerard Corrie
Heir to the Hereditary Chieftaincy of the Eagle Clan Lokono-Arawaks of Guyana, and Founder & President of the Pan-Tribal Confederacy of Indigenous Tribal Nations, co-founder and President of the Caribbean Amerindian Development Organization (CADO), CARICOM Commissioner on the Indigenous Commission for Communications Technologies in the Americas (ICCTA), member of the Indigenous Working Group on the Draft Declaration with the Organization of American States (OAS) since 2000, registered participant of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) since 2008, Chief of the Barbados chapter of the United Confederation of Taino People (UCTP); and contributor to LastRealIndians (LRI) International Indigenous News Media website.