Arrival Day 2024: Guyana has emerged as a melting pot of various cultures – Indian High Commissioner

India’s High Commissioner to Guyana Dr Amit Telang on Sunday said that the unique identity of Guyana should be one of unity and bringing everyone together and celebrating that unity.
His comments were made at Highbury on the East Bank of Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) at a ceremony to commemorate the arrival of the first set of East Indians to Guyana.
It was in Plantation Highbury, that the first set of East Indian Indentured labourers landed on May 5, 1838. On that day, two ships, Whitby and Hesperus, landed in the then-British colony (Guyana) with approximately 423 East Indians.

The high commissioner noted that many of the celebrated in Guyana are multi-religious and multi-ethnic and this should be applauded.
He called on young persons to further develop what he referred to as “Guyana culture” as the country is on a developmental trajectory.
“There is now more expectation from Guyana to be an example of what a multi-religious and multi-cultural society should be. You can be an example not only for the people here in Guyana but also the Caribbean and parts of South America and let them see that people from different ethnicities can come together and despite that, a very nice composite culture has evolved,” the high commissioner said.

According to Dr Telang the, over the six months since taking up the position as high commissioner he has noticed that despite differences in cultural origin, which include different religions, Guyana has emerged as a melting pot of various cultures.
“The six peoples that makeup Guyana have all played their part in developing what he referred to as a unique cultural blend,” he pointed out.
Arrival Day – though largely associated with the arrival of East Indians – has been set aside as a reminder of all ethnic groups, who would have been brought to the country.
Dating back to the late 17th century, history books tell that the Dutch first brought Africans in Guyana to acquire wealth. They were brought as slaves and later others arrived as indentured labourers. The first group of Chinese arrived in Guyana on January 12, 1853. In 1530, the Spaniards became the first Europeans to arrive in Guiana, but the Dutch established the first European settlement in 1616.
The first group of Portuguese arrived in Guyana May 3, 1835. They were brought as indentured labourers.

Meanwhile, High Commissioner said that there is a need he said to celebrate the sacrifices made by those who entered Guyana on May 5, 1838.
“Despite all of the difficulties, despite the harsh climatic conditions, they not only survived but, in a way, they also sowed the seeds of this beautiful culture that we see today in Guyana.”
He said the unique feature of Indian culture also helps to bring people together.
“Persons might be practicing different religions and may have different roots. The unique identity of Guyana should be one of unity and bringing everyone together and celebrating that unity.”
The high commissioner noted that many of the celebrated in Guyana are multi-religious and multi-ethnic and this should be applauded.
Berbice Indian Cultural Committee organised the event at Highbury which has been an annual feature. (G4)