Umana Yana
A conical thatched great house built by Wai Wai craftsmen using traditional techniques, a landmark showcasing indigenous architecture.
The name Umana Yana means 'meeting place of the people.' It was built in 1972 for a conference of foreign ministers of the Non-Aligned Movement. Wai Wai craftsmen built it from timber and palm leaves, without using a single nail, and it stands about 17 meters tall. It was destroyed by fire in 2014 and rebuilt in its original form in 2016. The surroundings include the seawall and the lighthouse, and the African Liberation Monument stands nearby. Visits are mostly to admire the exterior, though the interior is occasionally open during events.
Opening hours
Exterior viewable all day
Nearby sights
- Georgetown Lighthouse
- Georgetown Seawall
- Walter Roth Museum of Anthropology
- Promenade Gardens
- Guyana National Museum
- St. George's Cathedral
- Georgetown City Hall
- Bourda Market