iciguyana.com

Our Mission

The mission of the Indian Civilisation Institute of Guyana is to preserve, promote, and advance the cultural, spiritual, and historical heritage of Indian civilisation within Guyana, the Caribbean Community (Caricom) countries, and across the global Indian diaspora. Through research, exhibitions, cultural programs, and academic initiatives, we aim to celebrate Indo-Guyanese history, inspire cultural pride, strengthen identity, and ensure that the timeless wisdom of Indian civilisation continues to guide and enrich future generations.

Our Vision

Our vision is to become Guyana’s leading centre for Indian cultural knowledge, historical preservation, and international cultural exchange. We aspire to a future where Indo-Guyanese heritage is recognised, respected, and celebrated worldwide. Guided by the core values of harmony, learning, unity, and spiritual growth, the institute seeks to build stronger communities in Guyana and foster meaningful cultural connections across nations—creating a lasting legacy that bridges the past, present, and future. The Indian Civilisation Institute of Guyana is dedicated to educating, preserving, and sharing the enduring contributions of Indian civilisation—one of the world’s oldest, spanning over 4,000 years. The institute exists to ensure that future generations of Indians in Guyana and across the world understand and take pride in the achievements of their ancestors, whose ideas have shaped humanity across philosophy, astronomy, mathematics, science, spirituality, and culture.

Indian Civilisation in Guyana

Indian civilisation has profoundly shaped Guyana’s cultural landscape. Through festivals, music, cuisine, language, family values, and community rituals, the Indo-Guyanese community has enriched Guyana’s multicultural identity. Hindu celebrations such as Phagwah (Holi), Diwali, and Ram Navami bring people of all backgrounds together, strengthening social bonds and cultural understanding.

The Indian Civilisation Institute of Guyana highlights this shared heritage, helping visitors and students appreciate how Indian traditions crossed oceans during the indentureship era and continue to thrive generations later.

Preserving Indo-Guyanese Heritage

The institute serves as a cultural beacon, preserving the legacy of the ancestors who arrived in Guyana as indentured labourers and built resilient, vibrant communities. Through curated exhibitions, archives, research, and educational programs, the institute safeguards sacred texts, artefacts, oral histories, folk traditions, agricultural knowledge, and historical narratives that define Indo-Guyanese heritage.

This work is not only about honouring the past but also about empowering future generations with knowledge, confidence, and cultural pride.

A Living Centre of Culture and Learning

The Indian Civilisation Institute of Guyana is more than an educational institution—it is a living space where culture is practised, shared, and celebrated. From Indian languages and ancient history to philosophy, music, yoga, and spirituality, the institute welcomes everyone seeking to learn, reconnect with their roots, or better understand Indo-Guyanese traditions.

As Indian culture continues to gain global recognition through yoga, Ayurveda, devotional music, and spiritual philosophy, the institute plays a vital role in promoting awareness and appreciation within Guyana and beyond.

Foundations of Indian Civilisation

For thousands of years, Indian sages, rishis, and yogis pursued knowledge through deep meditation, yoga, and spiritual inquiry. Their quest was not limited to the material world but extended to understanding existence, soul, the universe, galaxies, and the multiverse. These insights were carefully recorded in Sanskrit, a refined Hindu language of intellectual and spiritual expression.

Through these texts, Indian civilisation contributed profound knowledge on spirituality, Sanatan Dharma, reincarnation, the nature of the Atma (soul), astronomy, mathematics, algorithms, Ayurveda, medicine, ethics, and philosophy. These teachings continue to influence global thought and holistic living even today.

India’s Spiritual and Cultural Legacy

India gifted the world major spiritual traditions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, and later movements such as those inspired by Sai Baba, the Brahma Kumaris, and the Hare Rama Hare Krishna tradition. These philosophies and practices have found followers across Europe, North America, Africa, and other regions, reflecting their universal appeal.

Unlike many historical civilisations, Indian culture spread peacefully—without conquest or force. Its ideas travelled naturally through learning, trade, and spiritual exchange, leaving a deep and lasting imprint across Asia and the world.

Lights, Faith, and Tradition - Diwali

Diwali, the festival of lights, is one of the most spiritually significant celebrations for Indo-Guyanese people in Guyana. Homes, temples, and streets are beautifully decorated with diyas, candles, and electric lights to represent the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. Families perform Lakshmi puja, prepare traditional vegetarian meals and sweets, and visit relatives to exchange greetings and gifts. Cultural programmes, bhajans, and community events are common, especially at mandirs and cultural centres. Diwali is also recognised nationally in Guyana, highlighting the lasting cultural influence and deep-rooted heritage of the Indo-Guyanese community.

Colours, Community, and Celebration - Holi

Holi is celebrated by the Indo-Guyanese community as a vibrant and joyful festival that symbolises love, renewal, and the triumph of good over evil. Across villages and towns in Guyana, families and friends gather to play with abeer and coloured powders, sing traditional chowtals and bhajans, and enjoy lively music and dance. The celebration often begins with prayers and cultural songs, followed by communal festivities where food and sweets are shared generously. Holi in Guyana is inclusive in nature, with people of different ethnic and religious backgrounds joining the celebrations, reflecting national unity and the strong preservation of Indian traditions.

Hinduism, Buddhism and Indian Cultural Influence Across Asia and Beyond

Countries such as China, Japan, Korea, Indonesia, Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan, Tibet, Mongolia, Cambodia, Laos, Afghanistan, and the Philippines absorbed Indian religious and cultural traditions, particularly Buddhism and Hinduism. Today, Asia—home to more than half of the world’s population—continues to reflect Hindu and Buddhist philosophies in daily life, values, and customs.

China’s adoption of Buddhism is a notable example of this exchange. The teachings of Lord Gautama Buddha, born in Bihar, India, were embraced and later transmitted across East Asia by Chinese Buddhist monks and sages. China was instrumental in converting Japan and other Asian countries to Buddhism. For example, it was not only Buddhism that China embraced from India. The Indian Buddhist monk Bodhidharma, from South India, played a significant role in this cultural bridge by introducing meditation, yoga, and Indian martial traditions to the Shaolin Temple in China, laying the foundation for what later became known as Kung Fu.