Every September, Guyana transforms into a living celebration of its Indigenous heritage. Amerindian Heritage Month isn't merely a series of performances to watch — it's an invitation to connect with cultures that have thrived in this land for thousands of years. From cassava bread baking under thatched benabs to the thundering tassa drums at the Heritage Games, this month offers something far more valuable than tourism: the chance to participate in living traditions.
This guide goes beyond listing events. It's designed to help you engage meaningfully and respectfully with Guyana's First Peoples, whether you're attending the Cultural Extravaganza in Georgetown or sharing parakari in a Rupununi village.
The History Behind the Celebration
Amerindian Heritage Month traces its origins to a pivotal moment in Guyanese history. On September 10, 1957, Stephen Campbell became the first Amerindian elected to Guyana's Parliament — a breakthrough that gave Indigenous peoples a voice in national governance for the first time. This date became the cornerstone of what would grow into a month-long celebration.
In September 1995, Prime Minister Cheddi Jagan officially designated the entire month of September as Amerindian Heritage Month. The proclamation aimed to ensure that "the contributions, culture, and history of Guyana's Indigenous people were celebrated and preserved." What began as ceremonial recognition has evolved into the nation's most comprehensive celebration of Indigenous culture.
The Heritage Village Tradition
Since 2001, a different Amerindian village is selected each year as the national "Heritage Village." This community becomes the focal point for September 10th celebrations, receiving national attention and hosting special cultural programs. The first Heritage Village was Kamarang Warawata in Region Seven. Being selected as Heritage Village brings immense pride and practical benefits to these communities.
The Nine Indigenous Peoples of Guyana
Guyana is home to nine distinct Indigenous nations, each with unique languages, traditions, and territories. Understanding their diversity enriches any Heritage Month experience.
Arawak (Lokono)
Among the earliest inhabitants, known for sophisticated pottery and agricultural techniques. Their influence extends throughout the Caribbean. They introduced many words now common in Guyanese Creole.
Carib (Karinya)
Skilled seafarers and warriors whose name became synonymous with the Caribbean itself. Known for their distinctive red body paint and expert canoe-building traditions.
Warrau
The "canoe people" who mastered life in the swampy Orinoco Delta region. Their lives are intimately connected to rivers, and they're renowned for their water-based lifestyle and unique stilt houses.
Akawaio
Inhabit the highlands near the Venezuelan border. They maintain strong spiritual connections to the Pakaraima Mountains and are known for their expertise in forest survival.
Patamona
Known as the "mountaineers," they've lived in sections of the Pakaraima range since ancient times. Their villages are often reached only by foot along challenging mountain trails.
Arecuna (Pemon)
Late migrants who escaped Spanish missions in Venezuela. They established villages in the upper Mazaruni and Cuyuni Rivers and maintain connections with communities across the border.
Macushi (Makushi)
The largest Indigenous group in the Rupununi, known for their ecotourism initiatives. Villages like Surama have become models for sustainable community-based tourism worldwide.
Wapishana
Originally from Brazil's Rio Branco region, they're known for their cotton hammock weaving and strong cultural preservation efforts, including an active language revitalization program.
Wai-Wai
Living near Guyana's southern border, they're master builders of the massive benab structures. The iconic Umana Yana in Georgetown was constructed by Wai-Wai craftsmen.
September Events Calendar
Heritage Month activities span the entire month, building to a crescendo around Heritage Day on September 10th. Here's what to expect:
Key Events Throughout September
Official Launch at Umana Yana
The month opens with ceremonies at the iconic Umana Yana in Georgetown. Traditional songs, dances, and speeches mark the beginning of celebrations. The massive benab itself symbolizes Indigenous architectural mastery.
Cultural Demonstrations
Cassava bread making and traditional wine (parakari/fly) preparation demonstrations. Learn the ancient process of processing bitter cassava — a skill that defines Amerindian cuisine.
Amerindian Interfaith Service
A spiritual gathering honoring both traditional beliefs and Christian faiths adopted by many communities. Reflects the religious diversity within Indigenous populations.
Cultural Extravaganza - National Park
A massive celebration featuring traditional dances from all nine nations, food vendors serving Indigenous cuisine, craft exhibitions, and cultural performances. The highlight for Georgetown visitors.
Heritage Day
The main celebration held at the designated Heritage Village. Features include traditional games, music, dance competitions, and community feasts. The President and government officials typically attend.
Heritage Games
Athletes from all ten administrative regions compete in football, cricket, archery, volleyball, swimming, and athletics. The games culminate in championship matches drawing hundreds of participants.
Miss Amerindian Heritage Pageant
Ten Indigenous beauties representing each region compete at the National Cultural Centre. Segments include traditional wear, talent, and cultural knowledge. The 2024 pageant drew over 400,000 online viewers.
How to Participate Meaningfully
The difference between being a spectator and a participant lies in your approach. Here's how to engage authentically:
In Georgetown
- Attend the Umana Yana opening: Arrive early, dress modestly, and prepare to stand for extended periods. The speeches may be long, but the cultural performances are worth it.
- Visit the Heritage Village exhibition: At the Sophia Exhibition Centre, artisans from all ten regions sell crafts directly. This is your best opportunity to purchase authentic items and meet the makers.
- Try the food: At the Cultural Extravaganza, seek out vendors selling traditional foods. Ask questions about preparation — most vendors are happy to explain their craft.
- Watch with context: Traditional dances like the Matapee, Mari-Mari, Baboon, and Galeron each carry specific meanings. Read about them beforehand or ask informed locals to enhance your understanding.
In the Interior Villages
For a deeper experience, consider traveling to Indigenous communities during Heritage Month:
Surama Village - North Rupununi
The pioneer of community-based tourism in Guyana. During September, visitors can participate in cultural workshops, forest walks, and community celebrations. The Makushi guides share knowledge passed down through generations.
Rewa Village - Rupununi River
Remote and rewarding, Rewa offers authentic wilderness experiences combined with Makushi culture. The community celebrates Heritage Month with traditional activities and maintains strong conservation practices.
Karasabai - South Pakaraimas
One of Guyana's best birdwatching destinations, this Macushi village offers cultural experiences alongside wildlife. The only reliable location in Guyana to see the endangered sun parakeet.
Yupukari - Central Rupununi
Home to the Caiman House research station, this Macushi village combines conservation science with cultural tourism. Night caiman tagging programs are unique worldwide.
Cultural Etiquette: Participating with Respect
Your behavior as a visitor shapes how communities view tourism. Follow these guidelines to ensure positive experiences for everyone:
Photography Protocol
- Always ask permission before photographing individuals, especially elders and children
- Never photograph sacred ceremonies without explicit invitation
- Some communities prohibit photos entirely — respect this without negotiation
- Offer to share photos with subjects via email or printed copies
Food and Hospitality
- Accept hospitality graciously — refusing food or drink can cause offense
- At minimum, taste what is offered, even if unfamiliar
- Parakari (fermented cassava drink) may be offered ceremonially — declining is acceptable if you explain politely
- Compliment the cook and ask about preparation methods
Dress and Behavior
- Dress modestly: Cover shoulders and knees, especially in villages
- Remove hats when entering homes or benabs
- Speak softly and avoid interrupting elders or speakers
- Show genuine interest — ask thoughtful questions and listen attentively
Sensitive Topics
Land rights and politics remain contentious issues for Indigenous communities. Many are still fighting for title to traditional lands. Avoid pressing questions about these topics unless the community member initiates the conversation. Listen more than you speak on these matters.
Traditional Foods to Experience
Indigenous cuisine forms the foundation of what's now considered "Guyanese food." Heritage Month offers abundant opportunities to taste these ancestral dishes:
Cassava Bread
The staple food, made by processing bitter cassava through the matapee (woven strainer). Watch demonstrations at Heritage events.
Pepperpot
Guyana's national dish. Slow-cooked meat stew with cassareep. The preservation properties meant a pot could last a week on the fire.
Farine
Toasted cassava granules resembling coarse couscous. Mix with milk and sugar for breakfast, or serve alongside stews.
Tuma Pot
Fish soup made with cassava water instead of cassareep. Popular among Macushi, Wapishana, and Patamona communities.
Parakari/Paiwari
Fermented cassava and sweet potato drink. Mildly alcoholic with sour, earthy flavor. Central to communal celebrations.
Bush Meats
Wild game including labba, tapir, and wild turkey prepared with traditional seasonings and cooking methods.
Crafts and Art to Discover
Indigenous craftsmanship represents generations of accumulated knowledge. Here's what to look for:
Nibbi Furniture
Made from forest vines similar to rattan, nibbi furniture combines functionality with natural beauty. Tables, chairs, and sofas that bring the forest into your home. Available at craft markets and direct from communities.
Tibisiri Hammocks
Woven from ite palm fibers, these hammocks can take months to complete. The most prized pieces feature intricate patterns in natural colors. The Rupununi Weavers Society produces particularly beautiful examples.
Woven Baskets
Each nation produces distinctive basket styles using materials like mukru and kufa. Look for geometric and animal patterns, particularly the pegall (backpack-style) and quake (flat carrying basket).
Beadwork and Jewelry
Traditional seed beads combined with modern materials create necklaces, armbands, and decorative pieces. Many feature symbolic patterns specific to each nation.
Pottery and Ceramics
The coastal Arawak were renowned for decorated pottery. Contemporary artisans continue traditions while adapting to modern markets. Look for traditional vessels and decorative pieces.
Where to Buy Authentic Crafts
- Ministry of Amerindian Affairs gift shop - Quamina and Thomas Streets, Georgetown. Open Monday-Friday 08:30-16:00
- Heritage Village Exhibition - Sophia Exhibition Centre during September
- Stabroek Market - Historic marketplace with craft vendors
- Santa Mission craft co-op - Direct from makers near Georgetown
- Rupununi Weavers Society - For premium cotton hammocks in the interior
Indigenous Rights and Ongoing Challenges
Understanding context enriches cultural appreciation. Guyana's Indigenous peoples have made significant progress while facing persistent challenges:
Historical Milestones
- 1957: Stephen Campbell becomes first Amerindian MP
- 1967-1969: Amerindian Lands Commission surveys traditional territories
- 1976: Sixty-four communities receive legal land recognition
- 2006: New Amerindian Act passed, recognizing collective village rights
Today, Indigenous communities collectively hold legal title to approximately 29,000 square kilometers — about 13% of Guyana's territory, including nearly 4 million acres of forest. However, subsoil mining rights are excluded, and some communities still await title to traditional lands.
Language Preservation
Several Indigenous languages face decline as English and Creole dominate. Active preservation efforts include:
- The Wapichan Wadauniinao Ati'o (WWA) literacy program has trained approximately 1,000 Wapishana-literate adults
- Community radio stations broadcast programs in Indigenous languages
- Educational materials are being developed in native tongues
- Article 149G of Guyana's constitution mandates protection of Indigenous languages and cultural heritage
Experience Indigenous Guyana
September offers unparalleled opportunities to connect with Guyana's First Peoples. Plan your Heritage Month visit today.
View Cultural ExperiencesFrequently Asked Questions
When is Amerindian Heritage Month in Guyana?
Amerindian Heritage Month is celebrated throughout September in Guyana. It was established in 1995 by Prime Minister Cheddi Jagan to honor the contributions, culture, and history of Guyana's Indigenous peoples. Heritage Day, the main celebration, falls on September 10th, commemorating the day Stephen Campbell became the first Amerindian Member of Parliament in 1957.
What are the 9 Indigenous peoples of Guyana?
Guyana's nine Indigenous nations are: Arawak (Lokono), Carib (Karinya), Warrau, Akawaio, Patamona, Arecuna (Pemon), Macushi, Wapishana, and Wai-Wai. Together they make up approximately 10.5% of Guyana's population, with about 90% living in the vast remote interior regions.
What is the Heritage Village celebration?
Each year since 2001, a different Amerindian village is selected as the Heritage Village, becoming the focal point for September 10th celebrations. The first Heritage Village was Kamarang Warawata in Region Seven. The designated village hosts special events, cultural demonstrations, and receives national attention for their unique traditions, with government officials and media in attendance.
Can tourists participate in Amerindian Heritage Month events?
Yes, visitors are warmly welcome to attend public events during Heritage Month. Key venues include the Umana Yana and National Park in Georgetown, and the Heritage Village. Always approach with respect, ask permission before photographing, and consider booking guided cultural experiences through established tour operators for deeper engagement.
What traditional foods should I try during Amerindian Heritage Month?
Must-try Indigenous foods include: cassava bread (the staple food), farine (toasted cassava granules), pepperpot (Guyana's national dish made with cassareep), tuma pot (fish soup), and parakari or paiwari (fermented cassava drink). Food demonstrations and tastings are common during Heritage Month events at the Umana Yana and Cultural Extravaganza.
Where can I buy authentic Amerindian crafts?
The best places include: the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs gift shop in Georgetown (Quamina and Thomas Streets), the Heritage Village exhibition at Sophia Exhibition Centre during September, Stabroek Market, and directly from artisans in communities like Surama, Rewa, and Santa Mission. Look for nibbi furniture, tibisiri hammocks, woven baskets, and beadwork.
What is the Miss Amerindian Heritage Pageant?
The Miss Amerindian Heritage Pageant is held at the end of September (typically September 30th) at the National Cultural Centre in Georgetown. Ten delegates representing each of Guyana's administrative regions compete, showcasing traditional wear, talent, and cultural knowledge. The event celebrates Indigenous beauty and cultural pride, with the 2024 pageant drawing over 400,000 online viewers.
What is the Umana Yana and why is it significant?
The Umana Yana is a 77-foot tall traditional benab (conical thatched structure) in Kingston, Georgetown. The name means "Meeting Place of the People" in Wai-Wai language. Built by Wai-Wai craftsmen without using any nails, it serves as the venue for the official opening of Amerindian Heritage Month and symbolizes Indigenous architectural excellence. The current structure, completed in 2016, is the third iteration.
Last updated: January 2026. For more on Indigenous experiences in Guyana, see our Indigenous Communities Tourism Guide or explore Surama Eco-Lodge, the pioneer of community-based tourism. Questions? Contact us.