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Fashion

Guyana is unique among South American nations not to have a designated style of national dress.  The majority, of people in Guyana, has adopted the western civilisation code of dress, which is mainly influenced by climate, type of job etc.

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The two major ethnic groups wear traditional dress during cultural events or important occasions.  Hindu and Muslim women in Guyana wear a sari and a shalwar to keep their bodies covered, and the head is kept covered using an orhni. Hindu men wear a dhoti and kurta, while the Muslim men wear garments called a jorah and tope.

Afro-Guyanese women wear turbans and wraps as well as clothing made from “Ankara prints”, “African prints”, ”African wax prints”, “Holland wax” and “Dutch wax”, 100% cotton fabric with vibrant patterns, while the men wear kufis and dashikis.

 

The Amerindians’ traditional mode of dress for the men are loin cloths while the women wear aprons that are either made of cotton, tibisiri fibres or beads. Colorful headdresses and leg bands along with beaded necklaces and ear and nose decorations may be worn by both men and women, and fabrics usually consist of cotton or tibisiri fibres

 

It is to be noted that many places in Guyana have dress codes, including schools, sports clubs and businesses. There is also a specific dress code that is required before an individual can enter into any parliament or government building.

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