Capoey | |
|---|---|
Village | |
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  Capoey Location in Guyana | |
| Coordinates: 7°11′36″N 58°32′02″W / 7.1932°N 58.5340°W | |
| Country |  Guyana |
| Region | Pomeroon-Supenaam |
| Government | |
| • Toshao | Ralph Hendricks[1] |
| Area | |
| • Total | 9.31 km2 (3.59 sq mi) |
| Population (2012)[3] | |
| • Total | 523 |
| • Density | 56/km2 (150/sq mi) |
Capoey is a village in the Pomeroon-Supenaam Region of Guyana. The village is mainly inhabited by Lokono Amerindians.[4] It is located on Lake Capoey, a blackwater lake, which is one of largest lakes of Essequibo.[4]
Capoey was originally settled by Wapishana who named the village. The name translates to "Land of the Rising Moon". The tribe was wiped out by a plague. A group of Lokono Amerindians who were enslaved on a plantation on the Essequibo coast escaped from captivity, crossed the lake, and resettled the abandoned village.[1] In the early 20th century, a mission was founded by the Methodist Church.[2]
The economy of Capoey is based logging, subsistence farming, gold mining,[2] and tourism has become important.[5] The village has a primary school, village office,[2] and a health care clinic.[4] The village provides free transportation to the coast for secondary and trade education.[2] Electricity is provided by solar panels.[4]
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Lake Capoey is one of the largest lakes in Essequibo. The lake is known for its large beige beaches, black water,[4] and benabs (palm thatched hut).[1] The lake is steadily growing in size.[4]
The lake is accessible via a side road of the Essequibo Coast Road. The village is located on the other side of the lake, and can only be accessed by boat. There is a tiny hamlet on the northern edge of the lake called Mary Point which is part of the Capoey reserve.[4]
