The Place of Bitter Cassava in the Social Organization and Belief Systems of Two Indigenous Peoples of Guyana

This article examines the continuing centrality of cassava to the ontologies of the Makushi and Akawaio, two of the nine surviving Indigenous Peoples (IPs) of Guyana, as well as the critical role played by women in cassava‐related social practices. Makushi nomenclature, the combination of vegetative and sexual propagation techniques, and the wide networks for exchanging stem cuttings reflect the fundamental importance of bitter cassava to their food security and ontology. Women take primary responsibility for processing the poisonous root into food and drink and possess greater knowledge of landraces. Cassava also remains central to Akawaio ontologies, reflected in the areruya system of belief. In the annual eki siku (young cassava festival), the value of cassava and of women is affirmed in the sacred texts and transmitted in visions through prophets. Cassava cultivation and cassava‐related rituals remain central to the Indigenous social systems in spite of acculturation to coastlander dietary staples.