In Guyana, you don't need to go far to find towns with a distinctly Indian feel, thousands of miles from the original version. Among my favourites is Springlands/Corriverton/Skeldon, dominated by two mosque minarets (see photo). It's a place of warm breezes, coconut palms, and Hindu prayer flags planted in the sea.
In Guyana, you don't need to go far to find towns with a distinctly Indian feel, thousands of miles from the original version. Among my favourites is Springlands/Corriverton/Skeldon, dominated by two mosque minarets (see photo). It's a place of warm breezes, coconut palms, and Hindu prayer flags planted in the sea.
The introduction of Indians to this, the old ‘Wild Coast’, has created a curious new culture. You could say Eastern Guyana is now a hotbed of cricket – not to mention Bengali-style communism, giant pink elephants and Grand Sari Pageants. Here are Pathans in shalwar (pants), kameez (tunic), and Pagri (head wrap), and schoolgirls in headscarves. The market sold dramatic Hindu statues, and Halal ‘snackettes’, and I watched dancing shows on TV, sponsored by families ( ‘Romel, Romeo and Robin’) in memory of some eminent relative.
But it’s also a place that’s not quite like anywhere else in the world. I remember beggars with green parrots. A curry shop offered ‘bush hog, chicken or iguana’. Here were Hindus in cowboy hats, and Indianised Toyotas with new pink and lime green bodywork, and names like 'Destiny Child', 'Body Rock' and 'Fair is the Key'. This was India alright, but with a South American swagger.
