Notable Guyanese people: Leona Lewis, Bharrat Jagdeo |
| Total population |
|---|
| Up to 1 million |
| Regions with significant populations |
| Guyana United States United Kingdom Canada Netherlands Brazil |
| Languages |
|
English (including Guyanese Creole, American English, British English and Canadian English), Akawaio, Hindi, Macushi, Wai-Wai, Arawakan, Cariban |
| Religion |
|
Hinduism, Pentecostalism, Roman Catholic, Islam, Anglicanism |
Guyanese people are people originating in the South American nation of Guyana. Geographically Guyana is not an island in the Caribbean but a nearby mainland land mass associated with the English Caribbean through history and culture first as a Dutch, then British colony, and as a founding member of CARICOM. The culture of Guyana is described as Caribbean or "West Indian", as it is much more similar to the culture of the "West Indian" Caribbean islands such as Trinidad, Barbados, St. Vincent, Grenada, rather than the other South American countries. Like other Caribbean countries Guyanese culture shares some customs and traits with other Latin American countries.
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Guyana is a diverse nation, 43.5% of the population is of East Indian origin (Biharis, Tamils, Telugus) 31.2% Black African (see Afro-Guyanese), 16.7% multiracial, 9.2% Amerindian and 0.46% other, mostly Chinese and whites (most notably Portuguese and English). Some Guyanese claim to have heritage from Syria, Iran and Spain. English (in the form of Guyanese Creole) is the most common language amongst Guyanese people in Guyana and its diaspora. The religious breakdown of Guyanese people is: Hindu 28.4%, Pentecostal 16.9%, Roman Catholic 8.1%, Muslim 7.2%, Anglican 6.9%, Seventh Day Adventist 5%, other Christian denominations 20.5%, no religion 4.3%, Rastafarian 0.5%, Bahá'í 0.1%, other faiths 2.2%.[1]
Overseas Guyanese communities mainly exist in the United States (86,120 Guyanese born), United Kingdom (20,872 Guyanese born), Canada (14,560 Guyanese born), and the Netherlands (328 Guyanese born), although the total populations (i.e. including people of Guyanese descent born in that country) are much higher.
The reason for this mass exodus were the highly oppressive policies of Forbes Burnham, former president and dictator* (unreliable source/opinion) who was widely regarded as a rigger of elections.[2]
The migration of Guyanese to other countries began in the late 1950's when some Guyanese (mainly young men, and some women) took up offers from the British Government to migrate to England to supplement the British labour force, like other Caribbean countries. This was a short lived policy as the British government quickly, closed the doors on open immigration from it's Caribbean Territories. The migration of many Guyanese Portuguese to the U.K and Canada happened in the late 1960's and early 1970's due to political struggles or "perceptions" of political problems at the time.
The Migration of Guyanese to other Western countries mostly Canada and the United States continued throughout the 1970's and 1980's, much of it due to political and economic problems. The Forbes Burnham government continuously doctored elections through the 1970's in his favour, and was feared by many for his Stalinist behavior. The 1980's saw mass migration due to continuing misguided economic policies and problems, continuous shortages of basic items on a daily basis, and a country run much the way Cuba is perceived today. While many left due to political, economic, and social problems, those who could afford left looking for better opportunities and some for educational purposes. The 1990's saw migration to other Caribbean countries. Migration continued by the need to reconnect split families. The migration of Guyanese to other lands continues even today.