Members of the Trio
indigenouscommunity have discovered an ancient site where their
ancestors probably lived. Euka Oochpatapo, tribal chief of the Trio
people of kwamalasamutu in southern Suriname, informed President
Ronald Venetiaan of the discovery of caves containing pre-Columbian
petroglyphs on Oct. 4 2000 The site, called Werehpai, was found in
May by a member of the community and further explored in August,
although only a few rooms have been thoroughly examined. Experts
say the cave-like spaces enclosed by rocks probably served as a
living area and shelter. Besides hundreds of petroglyphs, ceramic
shards and unbroken vases were found. More information about this
historically very interesting site can be found
HERE
“I’m honored to visit this site,”
Oochpatapo said when he first visited Werehpai. “This place belongs
to my ancestors. The rocks are like a big house. ... If I look at
these drawings, I see my ancestors.” Experts hope to date the site
from soot accumulated on the rocks. At other sites in Suriname, it
has been impossible to carbon-date petroglyphs.
It takes about 10km by boat, eastwards along the Sipilawini
river, from the Trio indian village Kwamalasamutu to reach the
jungle trail to Werehpai Then a hike of about 3 km (1 ½ hrs.)
through dense jungle is necessary to reach the place. It is about a
two hours flight to reach Kwamalasamutu from the city of
Paramaribo.
With the consent of my Trio guides Oseo and Michel this geocache
was placed in an unobtrusive place close to chamber 2. Although the
place is very remote I hope to entice fellow geocachers to visit
this very interesting site. A visit can be combined with hunting or
fishing with Indians and may provide for a very necessary
alternative way of income for these wonderful people.
Arrangements can best be made
through CI (Conservation International at
(visit link) or ACT (Amazone Conservation Team at
(visit link)
Note: I come very regular in
Suriname, almost once every three months for a week or two. Local
arrangements have been made in case maintenance of the cache is
needed on a short notice.