GRIOTS REPUBLIC - An Urban Black Travel Magazine - June 2016

From the moment I stepped off the
plane at Cheddi Jagan International Airport
I was showered with kindness, hospitality
and…. Soca Music! If you plan a
trip to Guyana, you’d better be into Soca
as it seeps from every possible nook and
cranny throughout Georgetown, clearly
having fused to the souls of the Guyanese
people who make up six different ethnic
backgrounds (African, Amerindian, Chinese,
European, Indian, and Portuguese),
but whine as one nation.
I was thankful to have made it to the “the
land of many waters” and to be celebrating
its “Golden Jubilee,” otherwise known
as its 50th anniversary. I had packed everything
from black tie to hiking boots to
prepare for the myriad of activities surrounding
the celebration and I used all
of it. From pageants and flag raisings to
presidential galas and parade, I was ready
to experience Guyana in all her glory.
Although Guyana’s existence became
“known” and recorded in 1499 when Spanish
conquistador, Alonso de Ojeda, set off
to explore and “discovered” it, it wasn’t
until May 26, 1966 that the country actually
gained its independence from British
rule. Prior to independence, Guyana had
been colonized by the Spanish, French,
Dutch and the British. The Dutch brought
African slaves to the region and the British
brought indentured labor from Asia creating
another layer of culture and influence
on the indigenous people living here. Like
most of the world, each colonizer left a
mark on the people and the land and their
impact can still be seen and felt today.
This week, however, I was here to celebrate
with a nation coming into its own.
I had a few days before the festivities
kicked off and I knew I wanted to see as
much as possible of the ecological landmarks
Guyana was known for. With over
80% of the country protected from development,
Guyana is considered to have one