Guyana is made up of six different races of people most of which were brought here during the periods of slavery and indentureship. Our culture reflects influences from Amerindian, Nepalese, Dutch, Indian, Spanish, Chinese, British and African cultures. We are considered a part of the Caribbean and are therefore heavily influenced by Caribbean culture. Our mixed culture is evident in everything around us from music, art, dance, celebrations and our food. Our identity as a culture is preserved is each of them.
Guyanese foods reflect the different ethnic groups ranging from curries and roti, cassareep, green plantain, cook up rice, ground provisions and much much. There are also foods that are specific to Holidays and special events. For instance, Pepperpot, and Amerindian dish, and garlic pork, a Portuguese dish, are present in many homes during the Christmas season.
Holiday traditions are also a way that we preserve our culture. Many holidays are tied to specific practices. The entire nation annually celebrates our Republic Anniversary in a traditional event called “Mashramani” an Amerindian word which means “celebration after hard work”. It includes a festival that celebrates music, art and dance and displays numerous aspects of Guyanese culture.
Guyanese also have strong family values which are passed down through generations in songs and stories. Folktales have always been a way of teaching and guiding youth and are important in Guyanese culture. Stories of “Jumbie”, “Obeah” and spirits serve to educate people about their past and guide them as they grown.
Finally, our language is a broken form of English called “creole” and it has definitely preserved our identity because it is distinct and specific to Guyanese. No matter where you are in the world it is easy to identify a Guyanese when they begin to speak in Creole.
Although there are many ways that our culture is preserved there are still many ways that globalization has changed Guyana. In recent years many western celebrations and traditions have become more prevalent in Guyana specifically due to influence from media and the internet. For instance, in my grandparents time, American holidays like Haloween were not celebrated but are not being embraced by many in Guyana.
Additionally, many American traditions for Christmas are also being embraced by many and this was not very prevalent in the time of my grandparents. Globalization has cause these celebrations to be adopted by the Guyanese people and they bring with them the ideals, expectations, and values from their originating countries. Guyanese also have strong family values which are passed down through generations in songs and stories.
I think that as much as it is important to embrace aspects of globalization we as a people should not lose our identity but should instead look to share our traditions with the world just as theirs have been shared with us. I believe Guyana has a lot to offer the world. Our mixed culture is evident in everything around us from music, art, dance, celebrations and our food. Our identity as a culture is preserved is each of them.
