Indo-Guyanese are people with roots in India who are citizens or nationals of Guyana. They are often referred to as Indians or East Indians. Indo-Guyanese make up a majority of the population of Guyana and are the largest ethnic group in the countrycitation needed.
Overview
The majority of Indo-Guyanese are the descendants of the Indentured labourers who were brought from British India, to what was then called British Guiana to work in sugar caneplantations after the abolition of slavery in 1833. These indentured labourers were brought by ocean travel aboard the vessels Hesperus and Withby. Most Indo-Guyanese are Hindus; substantial minorities are Muslims and Christians.
Indo Guyanese have made significant contribution to the economic and cultural growth and diversity to the Guyanese culture,festivals such as Holi,Deepavali and Eid are national holidays along with Indian Immigration Day (also referred to as Rama Khan day) which is celebrated on the 5 May each year. Rama and Khan being the first two Indian nationals to set foot in Guyana.
Notable Indo-Guyanese
Bharrat Jagdeo - Current President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.