In the life of Guyanese society religion plays a very important role, but in most aspects of local life of the country church has much less influence than in other traditionally Christian countries of the Southern African region.

About half of the Guyanese population are Christians, most of them – it’s the Catholics and Anglicans. Moreover, it is worth noting that this confession to include not only the former inhabitants of Europe, but many Indians, Chinese and Africans. The rest of the country’s inhabitants are Muslims and Hindus. It should stipulate that prior to 1996 until the proclamation of independence all these religious systems do not have official permission to live within the country, but after the declaration of a huge number of their most important holidays are national, and was elevated to the rank of a traditional Christian events. – The changes in the religious situation of the country led to some tension denominations, but the daily life of Guyanese has not changed. Guyanese by nature very respectful to the views of others and tolerant enough. Even if someone decides that knitting is also wipes national, religious event, the Guyanese will not openly express their discontent.

In addition to these religions in the country and managed to keep a lot of African and Native American beliefs, that most clearly reflected in the folklore of the locals and very obvious superstitious. Local people respect and revere a pantheon of various spirits and forces of nature, and very often are mixed them together with some Hindu or Christian character.

Hindus are not traditionally consumed beef, pork and Muslims, to which guests of the community should pay special attention to prevent the mistake.

India – a very ancient country, with amazing and interesting history and culture. India – the birthplace of religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism. India has the world’s greatest works of literature, architecture, painting and sculpture, as well as the original physical fitness – yoga. Modern cultural policy in India is to promote the cultural heritage of India globally. In every country where there is only the Indian embassy, ​​there is a need and an Indian cultural center. Indians are proud of their country and culture and try to tell the whole world as much as possible about it.

As with all African nations and representatives of the African-American population of Guyana believe in all sorts of magic, such as in voodoo or the expulsion of the devil as the father of my friend Beverly. And frankly. The same is true of the Hindus. They have many different cults of the gods and goddesses also include elements of magic and ritual. But all of my questions to me, even intelligent, educated people immediately answered – you do not ask about it, it’s very scary. However, something that I nevertheless managed to unearth.

It is of black magic – obea (an offshoot of voodoo) and the Indian cult of the goddess Kali.
Obea – do not make dolls of wax or wood, like real witches voodoo. Simply use the blood of poultry or eggs, various herbs, charms, potions made from it and give thirsty. In the morning, before sunrise walk to the ocean and “allow souls of the dead, who live above the water, enter into their body” …

Often seen as the light of people come to his family to the ocean, and released into the water lily pads large, with lit candles on them and some associated with herbs and puchochkami papers (as desired). Harmless in general. Those who want to read about this witch can download the book of rites and rituals at this link.

Real voodoo in Guyana does not. But they are in Suriname. And everyone Corrupts the curse someone, or sell your soul for something tangible, go to Suriname.

As far as the cult of Kali, the temple that is even close to the airport. The cult is called the Kali Puja May (Kali Mai Puja), which means that the rite of the Mother Kali. The goddess is very, very black and evil. In the temple they are dancing to loud music and very fast, are a rage. “Lead” hits the dancing feet of the whip, they have a very high jump at this point. All this time the temple kindles some very fragrant grass and sticks (as, in general, in all Indian temples). After the dancing, sacrifice a goat. Chop off his head with one sweep of the long knives, swords (“cutlass” – the curve is too long piece, rounded at the end), collect blood in the coconut and drink. In general, for Guyanese – just awful. Those who have been, they say that to faint.

An ancient cult, not really changed, apparently for thousands of years. Looks like a Greek or Cretan-Mycenaean goddess of fertility cults (Demeter). In India, there is an entire caste of servants of Kali. They were called-tags, they always wore a scarf with you, who suffocated people, bringing them to the sacrifice of Cali bloodless. The British had to fight with them long before they (the British claimed) caste was destroyed. In any case, the mass killings stopped. Prior to that, a third British, who came to the colony perished at the hands of tags.

Especially on those which apply to all. All we are born, die, marry or get married, have children, and each nation has traditions associated with these common, but for each landmark, events.
Weddings in Guyana, as well as all the rest totally different. As a multinational country, then the ritual depends on the nationality and religion.
We were lucky enough to attend the wedding of a Muslim in Guyana.
As we said, Muslim weddings are divided into traditional and very raditsionnye t, that is, old-fashioned. Here on this very traditional and we were.
The main feature of this wedding was that the bride and groom were from different cities, and even from across the country, so the wedding was very mobile. All run-run.
First, we (at 5am) on the machine, then by boat, then rushed to the car running in the town of Aberdeen and running there watching the ceremony.

The bottom line is that the wedding starts at the bride’s home, where a mullah from the village of the bride and groom from the village mullah recited their prayers and instructions for the groom together.
Then the mullah from the village of the bride for the last time instructing the bride and the last time, asked her if she would consent to marry the groom.
Then the bride and groom finally connected, and the couple exchanged rings.
On the table stood a gorgeous cake that the couple was cut with a knife. I do not know how is the Muslim custom, to me it seemed too Americanized. That is, a mod Muslim wedding.
Then it all rushed to the running back way to the bridegroom in Berbice – the opposite end of the country – to continue the ceremony. At this point we broke down and went back home to Georgetown, because diversity was not expected.
In general, the holiday did not seem funny to us. No songs, no dances. Only instructions mullahs.
Serious guests seated on chairs set in rows. Uncomplicated snack. My favorite Daypuri, of course, but still a wedding … Daypuri so we do once a week.
Well, as usual sizzling Chicken curry. No alcohol, of course, also a Muslim wedding.
On this day we came across the road a few weddings, but my bride, of course, was all beautiful.

India – a very ancient country, with amazing and interesting history and culture. India – the birthplace of religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism. India has the world’s greatest works of literature, architecture, painting and sculpture, as well as the original physical fitness – yoga. Modern cultural policy in India is to promote the cultural heritage of India globally. In every country where there is only the Indian embassy, ​​there is a need and an Indian cultural center. Indians are proud of their country and culture and try to tell the whole world as much as possible about it. Moreover, membership in such cultural centers is not inexpensive, and available to everyone interested.

There is a cultural center in Georgetown. At first sight – perfectly. Anyone can come here and learn yoga, Indian dance, to find a suitable library books about Indian culture. But only at first glance.

But, however, nowhere else in Guyana will not find such an abundance of coarse people. Guyanese are by nature very polite and considerate people. But here, in the Indian Cultural Center are greeted only with those who are not lower in status. Can push as if by accident, and not even apologize for it, as it were accidentally pushed out of the circle concerned “unworthy.” It turns out that people come here not to be attached to cultural values. Through the efforts of the new leadership, an Indian cultural center turned into a kind of private club, which has access only to the elite, and where people come to show off to each other their wealth or his position. And because the club is open only during daytime, and come here only to women who can afford not to work, rather show off her husband’s position or the money their parents. For working women would have been possible, of course, come to the center only at lunchtime or after work, but at this time classes are not working. The schedule of classes is at 12-00, but in fact they do not work. Organized some VIP classes, only for VIPs. It’s very strange to Indian philosophy, and just embarrassing to watch silly goose that is indifferent, Indian culture, Indian dance, and who come here only to show himself and diligently do not allow into your circle of commoners.It is unfortunate that such a good deal turned into a shameful farce.

Immediately realize that, once the Indian culture for thousands of years of development could not get people a decent attitude towards other people, then what is it then really. To show his contempt for the whole world does not need to be recorded in a yoga class. You can only add that people who seek to inequities themselves in the soul of the slaves. If they allow this attitude to other people, so they are psychologically ready for this and to themselves.

“Slave dreams not about freedom, but of his own slaves.” (Boris Krutier)

All the more strange to see this in a country which itself has experienced the terrible years of slavery. Do people whose ancestors gave their lives for the struggle against slavery, so allow themselves to be treated in their own free country? And where? In the temple of the ancient culture of the world – Indian Cultural Center.
This is not Indian Cultural Center, I can tell you. This Indian Cultural Shame!

Finally I want to give some remarks of great men:

“Voluntary slaves make more tyrants than tyrants – the slaves.” (O. Mirabeau)

“No shameful slavery than slavery is voluntary.” (Seneca)

“Animals have that noble feature that the lion will never become a slave of cowardice another lion, and a horse – a horse of another slave.” (Michel de Montaigne)

“To become a free man, … It is necessary to squeeze out a drop of a slave.” (Anton Chekhov)

“The servants, having no master, do not get from this free people, – servility in their souls.” (Heine Heinrich)

Using the criteria of ethnicity, even in South America is still impossible to describe precisely and specifically its population. South America in their culture is so distinctive ethical and that society was divided into different racial groups. For example, the Guyanese society is divided into each other and the Indo-Guyanese afrogayantsev, so each of them has its own customs, traditions and beliefs, which indicates a significant cultural and physical differences. Such a separation provokes the appearance of an erroneous view that there are two separate Guyana, with different economic, political interests and different backgrounds. While the company migrates en masse around the world, it is difficult to attribute this or that person to a particular race. Thus, all immigrants fell under the dominance of the British system, and their values ​​were not certain where to save miles, among other people.

Due to the departure of Guyanese outside their territories, they began to get used to another language, in this way, more and more losing your conversational features, so most Guyanese today talking pure English. With such policies began to weaken anglicised and cultural aspects, and self promotion inevitably affect the physical differences, especially because of the intermarriage of different races. South America country stereotypes, so different groups of people join together, create small groups of like-minded people in order to transmit and preserve their cultural and spiritual heritage.

It is impossible to describe the population of South America using only the criteria of ethnic origin. Too simplistic to describe the Guyanese society is a society of different racial groups. Terms such as Indo-Guyanese and afroGayantsy relate to ethnic identity. But the significant physical and cultural differences exist between ethnic communities. Such a division may lead to the erroneous conclusion that there are two quite different from the Guyanese origin, behavior, and political and economic interests in the same country.

All immigrant groups have adapted to the dominant British culture in the colony. In many ways the descendants of various immigrant groups resemble each other more than their ancestors. In addition, the descendants of immigrants who have gone beyond their former social niches. Indo-Guyanese can be found not only on sugar cane and rice, but also in cities where some of them have become entrepreneurs, professionals, or just working. AfroGayantsev can also be found at all levels of the Guyanese society.

All immigrants in Guyana is a common experience. They all worked on the plantations. Changed with the abolition of slavery character of the labor force, but not the work itself. Indians performed the same job as the African slaves, in front of them lived in the same housing as the former slaves. All immigrants were the dominant influence of the British system of values, and they had nowhere to keep their value.

Africans see themselves as belonging to different cultural groups, Indian society was also differentiated by religion and caste. For the British, however, belong to the race was the only symptom, and all Indians were classified into one group and all the other Africans.

The greatest influence on the assimilation has had use of language. English became the primary language of all Guyanese, except for some old and some American Indians. The universal use of English was a powerful unifying cultural force.

The descendants of immigrant groups became more anglicized. Cultural differences were weak. Even the physical differences blurred through intermarriage. Cultural differences remain symbolic. Many of these cultural differences are not passed on, and appeared on the site. For example, a Guyanese Hindu closer to Islam and Christianity than most native Hinduism.

Humanity tend to think stereotypes. And the population of South America divided into groups by stereotyping the same population of South America.

The racial stereotype developed in Guyana in the early foundation of the colony. British planters characterized Africans as physically strong but lazy and irresponsible. The Indians were described as hardworking, but the clan, and Greedy. To some extent, these stereotypes have been recognized by the immigrants, with positive stereotypes readily attributed to themselves and negative stereotypes – to others.

In the development of the country’s stereotypes attributed to behavior of various nationalities. Africans were described as short-sighted when they refused to work for low wages on plantations or enter into long-term contracts with plantation owners. The Indians were called selfish when all efforts directed at the maximum capital purchase.

Guyana is today less likely to stereotype ethnic characteristics. Greater importance now have other differences. There is a gradation in the “capital” manners and mannerisms “coolie.” However, what is considered the capital of the province of manners, at the same time can be recognized in manners coolie capital itself.

Along with these stereotypes and maintained a colonial attitude towards the European countries where all the idealized British customs, manners and behavior. Conservation Eurocentrism contributed to the British system of education. The idea of ​​the superiority of British culture has been recognized and accepted among the slaves. In particular, former slaves still believe that a commitment to Christianity is a sign of civilized man.

The middle class, which was formed in the late nineteenth century of the environment and the Indo-Guyanese afroGayantsev also based largely on British values, the idea was that as the most progressive and civilized.