There are a few different theories on the name of the river, one is that it is named for a local variety of catfish, called kassi. Also, according to Barrington Brown (the first European to record Kaieteur Falls) it is an Amerindian name meaning 'river of death' and more specifically, Robert Hermann Schomburgk said the name is a corruption of the Taruma name casi-kityu meaning 'dead river'.[2]
The Kassikaityu River is one of the larger tributaries of the Essequibo and about 30 m (98 ft) wide near its mouth and about 15 m (49 ft) at the confluence between the South and West Kassikaityu Rivers 95 km (59 mi) from the mouth. For the lowest 12 km (7.5 mi), the river winds over a wide floodplain, and is regularly navigated by the Wai Wai to reach the trail to Karaudanawa. The Wailturan Rapids are 34 km (21 mi) above the mouth. The South and West Kassikaityu Rivers were penetrated with extensive cutting to points respectively 32 and 38 km (20 and 24 mi) from their confluence.[2]
The water level of the Kassikaityu falls to its lowest annual levels between the end of the minor rainy period in January and the beginning of the main rainy season at the end of March.[2] Water levels vary from a minimum 225.62 m (740.2 ft) to maximum 235.23 m (771.8 ft) (average 228.36 m [749.2 ft])[3] During dry seasons the low water level can make travel difficult because there are more rapids.[2]
Historyedit
The river and surrounding areas were once inhabited by the Taruma people, who came to the area in the early 18th century, but were wiped out from influenza. Subsequently, the Kassikaityu area is referred to by the Wai-wais as the ‘River of the Dead.’[4]
In 1934, the British Guiana-Brazil Boundary Commission was set up to survey the boundary reached the upper Essequibo, until the team was impacted by beri-beri and were medically evacuated from the area, one who died was buried on the right bank of the Kassikaityu River. The commission's work recommenced in 1935 and the British contingent was led by the Army's Royal Engineers.[5]
In 2014, plans were made to construct a tractor trail from Parabara to the Kassikaityu River landing for the benefit of Wai-Wai people to connect to the Rupununi.[6] The distance was surveyed in 2010, as well as a medical mission for the remote Wai Wai who live in the deep south of Guyana.[7]
Settlementsedit
Kanashen, a community-protected area of the Wai-Wai people is accessible by the Kassikaityu. It is one of the most remote areas of Guyana, and in addition to practicing traditional ways of life, engage in sustainable tourism. Canoeing the Kassikaityu is a promoted activity.[8]
^"Kassikaityu, River | General Info | Database for Hydrological Time Series of Inland Waters (DAHITI)".
^ abcdBerrangé, Jevan P.; Johnson, Richard L. (1972). "A Guide to the Upper Essequibo River, Guyana". The Geographical Journal. 138 (1): 41–52. doi:10.2307/1797438. ISSN 0016-7398. JSTOR 1797438.
^"Kassikaityu, River | General Info | Database for Hydrological Time Series of Inland Waters (DAHITI)". dahiti.dgfi.tum.de. Retrieved 2021-01-18.
^"The lost nations of Guyana". Stabroek News. 2013-09-30. Retrieved 2021-01-18.
^"Cecil Carl Cunha". Stabroek News. 2014-07-06. Retrieved 2021-01-18.
^"For Masakenari's Wai-Wais, new trail seen as key to preserving way of life". Stabroek News. 2014-05-18. Retrieved 2021-01-18.
^"Expedition to survey 25-mile trail for Wai Wai". Stabroek News. 2010-10-06. Retrieved 2021-01-18.
^"Welcome to Konashen Community-Owned Conservation Area". guyanatourism.org. Retrieved 2021-01-18.
kassikaityu, river, tributary, essequibo, river, guyana, locationcountryguyanaphysical, characteristicsmouth, locationessequibo, river, coordinates1, 8469, 1957, 8469, 1957, there, different, theories, name, river, that, named, local, variety, catfish, called,. The Kassikaityu River is a tributary of the Essequibo River of Guyana Kassikaityu RiverLocationCountryGuyanaPhysical characteristicsMouth locationEssequibo River coordinates1 50 49 N 59 11 45 E 1 8469 N 59 1957 E 1 8469 59 1957 1 There are a few different theories on the name of the river one is that it is named for a local variety of catfish called kassi Also according to Barrington Brown the first European to record Kaieteur Falls it is an Amerindian name meaning river of death and more specifically Robert Hermann Schomburgk said the name is a corruption of the Taruma name casi kityu meaning dead river 2 Contents 1 Description 2 History 3 Settlements 4 See also 5 ReferencesDescription editThe Kassikaityu River is one of the larger tributaries of the Essequibo and about 30 m 98 ft wide near its mouth and about 15 m 49 ft at the confluence between the South and West Kassikaityu Rivers 95 km 59 mi from the mouth For the lowest 12 km 7 5 mi the river winds over a wide floodplain and is regularly navigated by the Wai Wai to reach the trail to Karaudanawa The Wailturan Rapids are 34 km 21 mi above the mouth The South and West Kassikaityu Rivers were penetrated with extensive cutting to points respectively 32 and 38 km 20 and 24 mi from their confluence 2 The water level of the Kassikaityu falls to its lowest annual levels between the end of the minor rainy period in January and the beginning of the main rainy season at the end of March 2 Water levels vary from a minimum 225 62 m 740 2 ft to maximum 235 23 m 771 8 ft average 228 36 m 749 2 ft 3 During dry seasons the low water level can make travel difficult because there are more rapids 2 History editThe river and surrounding areas were once inhabited by the Taruma people who came to the area in the early 18th century but were wiped out from influenza Subsequently the Kassikaityu area is referred to by the Wai wais as the River of the Dead 4 In 1934 the British Guiana Brazil Boundary Commission was set up to survey the boundary reached the upper Essequibo until the team was impacted by beri beri and were medically evacuated from the area one who died was buried on the right bank of the Kassikaityu River The commission s work recommenced in 1935 and the British contingent was led by the Army s Royal Engineers 5 In 2014 plans were made to construct a tractor trail from Parabara to the Kassikaityu River landing for the benefit of Wai Wai people to connect to the Rupununi 6 The distance was surveyed in 2010 as well as a medical mission for the remote Wai Wai who live in the deep south of Guyana 7 Settlements editKanashen a community protected area of the Wai Wai people is accessible by the Kassikaityu It is one of the most remote areas of Guyana and in addition to practicing traditional ways of life engage in sustainable tourism Canoeing the Kassikaityu is a promoted activity 8 See also editList of rivers of GuyanaReferences edit Kassikaityu River General Info Database for Hydrological Time Series of Inland Waters DAHITI a b c d Berrange Jevan P Johnson Richard L 1972 A Guide to the Upper Essequibo River Guyana The Geographical Journal 138 1 41 52 doi 10 2307 1797438 ISSN 0016 7398 JSTOR 1797438 Kassikaityu River General Info Database for Hydrological Time Series of Inland Waters DAHITI dahiti dgfi tum de Retrieved 2021 01 18 The lost nations of Guyana Stabroek News 2013 09 30 Retrieved 2021 01 18 Cecil Carl Cunha Stabroek News 2014 07 06 Retrieved 2021 01 18 For Masakenari s Wai Wais new trail seen as key to preserving way of life Stabroek News 2014 05 18 Retrieved 2021 01 18 Expedition to survey 25 mile trail for Wai Wai Stabroek News 2010 10 06 Retrieved 2021 01 18 Welcome to Konashen Community Owned Conservation Area guyanatourism org Retrieved 2021 01 18 Rand McNally The New International Atlas 1993 1 50 N 58 33 W 1 833 N 58 550 W 1 833 58 550 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Kassikaityu River amp oldid 1211419479, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
