 | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
250,000 (2020) 31% of the population | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Religions | |
| Hinduism (Sanātana Dharma) Majority sect Sanātanī Minority sects Arya Samaj · Caribbean Shaktism (Kali Mai Dharam/Madrasi Hinduism) · Sathya Sai Baba movement · Sieunarini (Sir Narain/Shiv Narayani) Panth · Hindu atheism · others | |
| Scriptures | |
| Vedas · Puranas · Upanishads · Ramayana (incl.Ramcharitmanas version) · Mahabharata (incl.Bhagavad Gita) · other Hindu texts | |
| Languages | |
| Sanskrit · Tamil (liturgical languages) English (Guyanese English Creole) · Guyanese Hindustani | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Trinidadian and Tobagonian Hindus · Surinamese Hindus · Jamaican Hindus · other Caribbean Hindus |
Hinduism inGuyana is the religion of about 31% of the population in 2020.[1][2] This makes Guyana the country with the highest percentage ofHindu residents in theWestern Hemisphere.[3]
After the1833 Slavery Abolition Act in theBritish Empire, the need for labour led to the recruitment of Indians in Guyana and otherBritish West Indian territories. Upon arrival, the new workers had to adapt to the extreme tropical conditions, along with their new contracts and working conditions. Between 1835 and 1918, 341,600 indentured labourers were imported into British Guyana from India.[4]
From 1852, Christian missionaries attempted to convert East Indians during theindentured servitude period, but this was met with little success. In response to Christian proselytizing, Hindu priests and monks began administering spiritual rites to all Hindus.
In the late 1940s, reform movements caught the attention of many Guyanese Hindus. In 1910,Arya Samaj arrived in Guyana.
Hinduism had been slowly decreasing for many decades. In 1991, 35.0% of the Guyanese population adhered to Hinduism, decreasing to 28.4% in 2002,[5] 24.8% in 2012[6] but increasing to 31.0% in 2020.[1]
| Year | Percent | Decrease |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 35.7% | - |
| 1991 | 35.0% | -0.7% |
| 2002 | 28.4% | -6.6% |
| 2012 | 24.8% | -3.6% |
| 2020 | 31.0% | +6.2% |
| Region | Percent of Hindus (2002) | Percent of Hindus (2012) |
|---|---|---|
| Barima-Waini | 8.1% |  0.4% |
| Pomeroon-Supenaam | 37.3% | 33.2% |
| Essequibo Islands-West Demerara | 46.5% | 37.7% |
| Demerara-Mahaica | 24.4% | 20.8% |
| Mahaica-Berbice | 39.0% | 34.1% |
| East Berbice-Corentyne | 46.4% | 42.1% |
| Cuyuni-Mazaruni | 5.6% | 3.5% |
| Potaro-Siparuni | 6.4% | 1.0% |
| Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo | 0.5% | 0.4% |
| Upper Demerara-Berbice | 4.7% | 0.8% |
| Guyana | 28.4% | 24.8% |
Tamil (Madrasi) Hindus forms the majority inEast Berbice-Corentyne region and practiceCaribbean Shaktism.[7]
According to the 2012 census, 39.8% of the Guyana's population is of East Indian origin and 24.8% are Hindus.[6] The remainder is mostlyMuslim (6.8%) or Christian (62.7%).
Holi-Phagwah andDeepavali are National Holidays in Guyana.[8]
