Guyanese Culture: History, Tradition, and People of Guyana

The Guyanese culture is a mixture of Amerindian, Nepalese, Indian, Chinese, and African influences. Guyana has also been touched by Western influences, such as British, Dutch, Portuguese, and Spanish.

Guyana is considered a Caribbean country despite being in South Africa, with its culture quite similar to the West Indies, especially in the coastal areas, according to iExplore.

Arawak and Carib crafts are sold in markets across the country. It was popularized with its brightly colored textiles, paintings, and export-quality baskets.

The country's name was derived from an Amerindian word, which means "the land of many waters." It is in the northeastern part of South America, bounded on the north by the Atlantic Ocean.

According to Britannica, its capital city is Georgetown, where most cultural institutions are located. The city's Guyana Museum also houses the Guyana Zoo, which contains a collection of animals, including harpy eagles and manatees.

Georgetown also has the Walter Roth Museum of Anthropology, where certain artifacts of Guyana's indigenous cultures can be seen.

The rich textile culture of Guyana is also featured in the Rupununi Weavers Society Museum, which displays the textiles made by Wapisiana and Macusi groups. It is located near the Lethem on the Brazilian border.

People of Guyana

Daily life in Guyana mainly focuses on family groups, which have differences depending on the group. Afro-Guyanese have more of a matriarchal family as compared to the patriarchal Indo-Guyanese family.

Its cuisine is a fusion of South Asian, South American, and Chinese dishes using locally grown chiles and fresh tropical fruits and vegetables.

A popular dish in the country is pepperpot, a stew made of meat, potatoes, and peppers with cassareep. It is a sauce made from cassava juice and spices.

According to Every Culture, the official language in Guyana is English, with no African languages surviving during slavery. Guyanese speak Creole dialects of English.

The largest ethnic group in Guyana is the Indo-Guyanese, making up two-fifths of the population, followed by Afro-Guyanese, which account for three-tenths of the population.

The indigenous people of Guyana constitute around one-tenth of the country's population. The major religions in the county are Christian and Hindu, with a sizable minority of Muslims.

Guyana History and Tradition

The indigenous people met Columbus when he arrived in the 16th century. However, the Spaniards did not find Guyana attractive, causing them not to settle.

The Dutch arrived and started colonizing the country in 1616, establishing a trading post on the Essequibo River. They controlled the country until the 18th century when the Napoleonic wars happened.

In 1834, slavery was abolished and was granted self-governance in 1961. Guyana gained full independence in 1966.

Go Abroad reported about several festivals in Guyana, including Masharami. Masharami is usually held every February to celebrate Guyana's becoming of a republic. The festival is rooted in the Amerindian language, which means "the celebration of a job well done."

Divali is the festival of lights and is celebrated by Hindus who play with clay cups that are lit around their house. The celebration starts yearly in October or November.

Paghwa, which is also called Holi in many countries, is the festival of colors. It starts in March, with participants wearing white clothing and then throwing colored powder at one another. Eating a lot of sweets such as sweet rice, "pera" (like soft fudge), and "polourie" (a dough snack) is part of this festival.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

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