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Music of Guyana

Samba, choro, forró and bossa nova, Argentine tango and chamamé, Colombian cumbia and vallenato, Venezuelan joropo, Paraguayan harp.

A brief history

History

Earliest recorded musical interactions were mainly related to the missionary-driven spread of Christianity in the New World. Moravian missionaries used music used hymns to reach the Kalina people in the area of Berbice. Slaves brought to the region via the Atlantic slave trade contributed African influences from a wide array of different cultures, although music and dance was also utilized to promote fitness in slaves by their sellers. After emancipation, the period in which the British sought to bring indentured labor into the colonies introduced musical traditions of India, as well as Portugal and other countries. When the colonies of Demerara, Essequibo, and Berbice were merged into British Guiana, colonial power and upper class culture "exerted substantial influence" over music styles of the time. Military bands for parades and ceremonial purpose reflected British sovereignty. Classical music, religious music, or folk songs of Britain were also popular among the ruling class.

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What Guyana is listening to in 2026

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Live radio

Radio from Guyana

Music only, no news or talk. Stations that play the local tradition come first, then the most listened. They play in the corner of the page.

Station directory by Radio Browser Streams come from each station's own server.