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Chenapou Village is a small Amerindian village located in the forested terrain along the Potaro River, twenty-nine miles upriver from Kaieteur Falls (three hours by speed boat). It is fairly isolated from the regional administration (Madhia) and from surrounding Amerindian communities; the nearest settlement (Karisparu) is a four hour walk and the closest village (Paramakatoi) is two days hard trek through the forest. Surrounded by mountains and forest shade, Chenapou remains cool year-round and waterfalls in the surrounding area provide for added recreational relief from the heat.
PEOPLE Chenapou has inhabited by approximately five hundred members of the Patamona Tribe. The Patamonas normally communicate in their traditional language; however English is commonly spoken. The two dominant religions of the village are Catholicism and Wesleyan, and Ministers of those religions are often invited from Georgetown,Paramakatoi and Kurukabaru to conduct special services such as marriage ceremonies. The traditional healer, who is called the Piai man, is seen as the healer of many diseases. Communal living is one of the assets that Chenapou residents cherish. During the Guyana Amerindian Heritage Month (September) a colourful cultural festival is staged where the Patamonas perform the Humming Bird and the Parishra Dances.
EDUCATION Most of the villagers have received only primary school education. Many of them go to secondary school in Paramakatoi (the closest village). Upon graduation, a few attend Kuru-Kuru College, a youth training center near Georgetown, to learn computer and carpentry skills etc. Those who cannot afford further education usually return to Chenapou to continue in the traditional occupations of their parents.
ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES Hunting, farming, fishing and small-scale mining are the primary subsistence activities. Locals use bow and arrow to catch birds, animals and fish. Th warishi, a traditional backpack made of vines(nibi) or mucroo a plant used for making basketry, is used to transport their produce. During their leisure time, Patamonas knit fishing nets, hammocks and slings used to carry their babies.
FOOD The staple foods are cassava bread, farine (cassava powder), tuma pot (a dish made of fish or meat stewed in a the juice of the casava root;p the same juice that is used to make casareep), fish, wild meat such as labba, wild hog, wild deer, agouti, and birds such as marudi and powis. Among the local drinks are cassiri and parakari made from cassava roots.