GUYANA Umana Yana Georgetown - Dress Up 99 by Spanish Anime chill background danchall music

Описание: "Umana Yana" comes from the language of the Wai Wai people, one of Guyana's nine Indigenous tribes. It translates to "meeting place of the people", referring to the large, traditional conical benabs (huts) where community members gather for discussions, ceremonies, and social events.

Original Construction (1972)
The structure was first built in *August 1972* in Kingston, Georgetown (on High Street, near the site of the old Mariners’ Club), specifically for the Non-Aligned Foreign Ministers Conference hosted by Guyana. Under the leadership of then-Prime Minister (later President) Forbes Burnham, Guyana positioned itself as a key player in the Non-Aligned Movement during the Cold War era, advocating for developing nations' independence from superpower blocs.

Designed by Guyanese architect George Henry.
Constructed by approximately 60 Wai Wai Amerindians, led by their Chief Elka (from the South Rupununi region).
Built without any nails or modern metal fasteners — using only traditional Indigenous techniques, materials like "troolie palm leaves" for thatching, and wooden supports.
It took about 80 days to complete and measured around 26.6 meters (87 feet) in height.
Purpose: Served as a VIP lounge, recreation center, and symbolic venue for the conference, showcasing Guyana's cultural identity on the global stage.

The original version became a national monument (one of Guyana's nine) and a beloved landmark, representing national pride, Indigenous craftsmanship, and Guyana's role in international solidarity.

Rebuilds and Evolution

The structure has faced wear, fires (including a notable incident where it was gutted by fire of unknown origin), and natural deterioration over the decades, leading to multiple restorations and rebuilds:

Major restoration efforts occurred over the years (e.g., in 2010 with 39 Wai Wai artisans re-thatching over 500,000 palm leaves).
The current version was rebuilt starting in late 2015 and completed in 2016, spearheaded by the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples Affairs, Ministry of Public Infrastructure, and others in consultation with cultural bodies like the National Trust of Guyana.
Rebuilt by a team of about 35 Wai Wai men (including cooks) from Maskenari village, supervised by Toshao Paul Chekema (nephew of the original Chief Elka).
Slightly smaller at 23.5 meters (77 feet), it uses "dhalibanna leaves" for roofing instead of the original troolie, combining traditional methods with some modern tools.

Today
The Umana Yana stands as a cultural and governmental venue in Georgetown — used for public events, exhibitions, receptions, and official functions. It's right near other landmarks like the "I Love Guyana" sign (which you mentioned earlier), making it a popular spot for tourists and locals to appreciate Guyana's blend of Indigenous traditions and postcolonial identity.

It remains a living tribute to Wai Wai artistry, Guyana's Indigenous peoples, and the country's diplomatic legacy.