Guyana’s Old Year’s Night Traditions

In Guyana, Old Year’s Night is not just about fireworks or counting down to midnight.

It begins much earlier in the markets, in the kitchens, and inside the home itself,

where preparation is both physical and symbolic. The day starts with an intense burst

of activity. Homes are swept, scrubbed, and put in order from top to bottom.

Floors are washed, corners cleared, and clutter removed. Laundry baskets are emptied and

every piece of clothing is washed and dried. Beginning the new year with dirty clothes is believed

to invite hardship, so nothing is left undone. This ritual of cleaning is about more than

tidiness. It represents letting go of burdens, clearing away negativity, and making space