Guyana's Perspective

Guyana’s cultural heritage has evolved out of rich potpourri of influences by the colonizers: Dutch, French and English who brought captive Africans to provide forced labour on their plantations. After Emancipation in 1838, indentured servants from Madeira, India, Africa and China contributed to the rich blend of cultures, out of which have come some unique customs.
This unique blend of cultures has resulted in the manifestation of craftsmanship, evident in the domestic architecture that is overwhelmingly wooden and elaborate. There is little doubt that our historic architecture is distinctive, especially in its expressive use of timber, architecture’s oldest building material. Fine architecture in most civilizations developed through a sustained and increasingly sophisticated use of the easily available local material of the area. Guyana, in its pre-independence days developed a fine tradition in timber architecture; a tradition which is now lost with the social appropriation for concrete and steel. Importantly, not only did these buildings show a sophisticated use of the local material, but the designs created showed a greater sensitivity to the local environment and climate than do many buildings of today. The nineteenth century domestic buildings of George-town are particularly expressive of this sophisticated use of timber and of environmental syncretism (a term used to describe colonial buildings in developing countries being appropriate structures for a new cultural context in a new environment). The local style of domestic architecture developed steadily reaching its zenith in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century’s, designed and built by master craftsmen.
The design of the city (Georgetown) is as a result of astute blend of elements: Dutch experience in water engineering, the orderly arrangement of living space by the British and the artistry of Guyanese builders which gave rise to grand buildings occupying large lots. Local genius is readily apparent in the abundance of architectural detail - intricate fretwork, baulsters, jalousies and the utilitarian Demerara Window visible in many of Guyana's public buildings, churches and dwelling houses.

Guyana’s pre-independence cycle stemmed mainly from the inhabitants of the country during this period. During the reign of the British, many things were passed down and have influenced the way in which we live and eat. The people that inhabited Guyana came from different mother lands and brought with them their cultures and traditions. Under the rule of mainly the British, these people said people were influenced by the ways in which they set up their dwelling quarters to even the food they ate. They designed the homes of the slaves and showed them how to prepare their meals. Their intricate designs have surpassed many changes over time.
The two main commercial centers during this time were Georgetown and New Amsterdam. The colonial architecture found in parts of Georgetown is still impressive wooden buildings with jalousies and high ceilings to facilitate ventilation, some featuring large, wooden verandas. In rural areas, there are many wooden buildings made up of many eclectic styles, but all are built on stilts to protect them from floods.
Many of the buildings that made it through the pre-independence of Guyana are mainly historical buildings such as churches, hospitals and some houses. Others were the many monuments that are prevalent today. Many of which were used in the times of war and for the representation of a figure of importance that signifies the incredible history of Guyana.
Buildings were usual made of wood and thus have faded away after awhile, but what remained was the unique designs that is a mixture of several cultures along with that of the colonizers.