Rupununi Rodeo

Rupununi Rodeo is one of our biggest Easter Events. In fact it is one of our biggest events generally. The Rupununi Rodeo of course is held in Rupununi, which is situated in the south of Guyana, 300 Miles inland from Georgetown (our Capital City) and extends into brazil. These Savannahs are considered the largest open range savannah lands in the world.

Getting to the Rupununi

You can get from Georgetown to Lethem by Plane or by road. Local Airplane operators like TransGuyana Airways and Roraima Airways operate a flight schedule betweeen Ogle and Lethem Airstrip. The Journey between Ogle and Lethem is approximately two hours.By road, either private transportation or the bus service Georgetown-Lethem, it takes between fourteen to sixteen hours. Stops along the way include Mabura Hill, the Kurupukari pontoon crossing, the Iwokrama Rainforest with its Canopy Walkway and Annai.Lethem is located in Region Nine at the bank of the Takutu River that borders Guyana from Brazil. With a population of approximately 2500 people, main activities in this area are cattle rearing, farming and trade with Brazil. The indigenous population comprise mainly of Makushi and Wapishana tribes.Lethem is the largest town and the administrative centre of the Rupununi Region and includes a hospital, a police station, an army camp, a telecommunication station, schools,guesthouses, restaurants and stores.

About the Rodeo

The Lethem Rodeo or Rupununi Rodeo is held each year in the Easter weekend by the ranches in the area. It is said that the rodeo was introduced by an American from Dakota by the name of Ben Hart in the late nineteenth century. His idea of entertaining guests was then picked up by the local ranchers and became an annual tradition in the Rupununi. This sports event, which is now developing to a popular cultural
festival, attracts many visitors and participants from every where, from the coastland as far as Berbice and from neighbouring Brazil. In addition, the rodeo has growing support, not only from the local ranches, but also from the private sector in Georgetown. All of this has strengthened the wish to give the Lethem or Rupununi Rodeo more regional and international exposure. The fun kicks off on the Saturday and continues to Easter Monday with day time activities like wild bull riding, horse racing, wild cow milking, wild horse riding, a female barrel race, steer roping, etc. The evening programme presents festivities in the form of a cultural fair with food, games, music and the lively so-called “Faha” dance, which is a pair dance and, is said, to have its origin in the popular Northeast Brazilian ”Forró” dance. Crossi Takutu Hotel in Lethem Business in Lethem Caribis@networksgy.com Caribis@networksgy.com Crossing the Takutu River at the Guyana-Brazil border for the Rodeo Caribis@networksgy.com

Accomodation

Takutu Guest House Lethem, Contact : Ms Gloria Johnson Tel: 592-772-2034 or 226-9754 or email morsha_j@hotmail.com. Rooms: 22 Facilities: 6 Economy rooms -2 people, 14 Self Contained Double rooms

Cacique Guest House Lethem, Contact: Ms Stella Smith Tel: 592-772-2083, Rooms: 7 rooms

Kaimbe Lodge Lethem, Contact: Mrs and Mr Foo, Tel: 592-772-2031 Rooms: 4 rooms

Savannah Inn , Contact: Ms Linda Khan Tel: 592-772-2035, Rooms: 13