Top5 Amazing Facts About Guyana That Will Shock You

In this article we will explore amazing facts about Guyana. Guyana is more than just beautiful forests and waterfalls. Diving into rivers without permission can lead to being expelled from a village, and even a light touch on someone’s head can upset the community. So let’s begin to know unwritten rules, including strict prohibitions on physical contact.

5) Do Not Touch Anyone’s Head

One of the amazing facts about Guyana is that in Guyana, touching anyone’s head is strictly prohibited. Unlike in the US or Europe, where it may be viewed as affectionate, in Guyana, the head is sacred and believed to be the home of the soul, closely linked to luck and honor. Touching a person’s head is considered disrespectful and can be seen as harming their spirit.

Hair also holds significant cultural importance, especially among women and people of African and Indian descent. Touching someone’s hair without permission is a serious invasion of privacy and can lead to severe repercussions, including being asked to leave a community event.

4) Wife Exchange

One of the amazing facts about Guyana is that Wife trading and exchanging is still practiced in some traditional communities in Guyana, especially in remote areas. In these places, men can give their wives to others without any legal agreements, often without the wife’s consent. This practice occurs quietly and is based on verbal agreements between men. Husbands may trade their wives to gain livestock, land, or to strengthen family alliances.

The value of a wife can depend on her age, health, and skills, with married women often seen as less valuable than new brides. Although modern law in Guyana forbids this practice, community rules sometimes prevail. What do you think about this? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

3) Use Right Hand

One of the amazing facts about Guyana is that in the US, it is common to hand things over with one hand, but in Guyana, especially in Indian communities, this is seen as rude. In Indian culture, the right hand is viewed as clean and respectful, while the left hand is linked to unclean tasks. Therefore, it’s important to use both hands or at least the right hand when giving gifts or money. Many tourists have had their money refused when offered with the left hand. At various cultural events, using the left hand can be considered bad luck. What do you think about this?

2) Affairs After Marriage

One of the amazing facts about Guyana is that in Guyana, particularly in small and traditional communities, having affairs in marriage is widely accepted and viewed differently than in many other countries. Men often have extra partners, which is seen as a sign of success and prosperity rather than a moral failure. Women and the community generally accept this, as long as it does not disrupt the main family. A report found that many rural women know about their husbands’ affairs but remain silent to protect the family’s image. Affairs are not legally encouraged but are part of the cultural norm.

1) Littering

One of the amazing facts about Guyana is that in Guyana, littering is strictly prohibited and is considered a serious offense. The country takes pride in its rainforests, rivers, and ecosystems, and littering is viewed as a national insult. They have a zero-tolerance campaign, with fines reaching up to $500 for littering. Signs around Georgetown warn against littering, and volunteer groups actively patrol areas, ready to confront offenders and share their actions on social media. The community is encouraged to keep Guyana clean.