The Culture of the South American nation, Guyana, is very similar to that of the English speaking Caribbean, so much so that Guyana is considered a Caribbean Nation. Guyana shares similar interests with the islands of the West Indies, such as food, festive events, music, sports, etc.
Guyanese culture reflects the influence of African, Indian, French, Amerindian, Chinese, British, Dutch, Portuguese, Caribbean, and American culture.
Popular music includes calypso and reggae, but also reflects the musical tastes of the USA and England.
The beginnings of theatre in 19th century Georgetown was European in nature. In the early 20th century there was an emergence of new African and Indian Guyanese middle-class theatre. In the 1950s there was an explosion of an ethnically diverse and socially committed theatre. There was a struggle to maintain theatre post-1980 in spite of an economic depression. Serious repertory theatre was highlighted by Carifesta and the Theatre Guild of Guyana.[1]
Popular Guyanese authors include Wilson Harris, Jan Carew, Denis Williams and ER Braithwaite. Braithwaite's memoir, "To Sir With Love", details his experiences as a black high school teacher in a white London slum.
Edgar Mittelholzer is well known outside of Guyana for such novels as "Corentyne Thunder" and a three-part novel known as the Kwayana trilogy, The latter focusing on one family through 350 years of Guyana's history.
Art takes many forms in Guyana, but its dominant themes are Amerindians, the ethnic diversity of the population and the physical beauty of Guyana. Popular artists include Stanley Greaves, Ronald Savory, Philip Moore and the late Aubrey Williams.
Much historic architecture reflects the country's British colonial past. Many of these buildings in Georgetown and New Amsterdam were built entirely of local woods.
The major sports in Guyana are cricket (Guyana is part of the West Indian cricket team), softball cricket (beach cricket) and football (soccer). Minor sports in Guyana include netball, rounders, lawn tennis, basketball, table tennis, boxing.
Guyanese cuisine is reflective of the country's ethnic diversity.
Many religions are practised in Guyana, the predominant ones being Christianity, Islam and Hinduism.