THE Rupununi has long been called the “sleeping giant.” Rich in land, culture, biodiversity, and spirit, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) was seen as a place of great potential that remained largely untapped for generations.
However, the Rupununi Ranchers Rodeo 2026, held from April 3 to 5 at the Triple R Ground in Tabatinga, Lethem, shared a very different narrative. It showcased a region that has not just awakened; it has risen with a clear purpose, energy, and momentum that cannot be ignored.
Minister of Amerindian Affairs Sarah Browne perfectly captured the spirit of the moment when she noted that the Rupununi “has not only awakened, but is actively taking its rightful place as one of Guyana’s leading regions for growth, culture, and opportunities.”
These are not hollow words of celebration. They reflect the real changes taking shape across the savannah. Every paved road in Lethem, every new power plant, and every school and health centre in once-remote villages confirm that the promise of the Rupununi is finally being fulfilled.
Look at what has happened in just the recent years. The government has invested over $110 billion in Region Nine across various sectors in the last five years, showing significant increases in housing, energy, and transportation spending.
The 1.5-megawatt Kumu Hydropower Station was commissioned in Lethem, joining a growing renewable energy network that has already powered the town entirely through hydropower for a full 24-hour period. Plans are moving forward for a regional airport in Lethem, rooted in 2,000 hectares of agro-development.
This investment will enhance access and stimulate commerce at a level that was previously unimaginable for this part of the country. Furthermore, with 83% of the US$190 million Lethem corridor road project already completed, the distance between Georgetown and the savannahs is decreasing—not only in kilometres, but also in economic and social integration.
The Rupununi Ranchers Rodeo itself symbolises this transformation. What began in the 1960s as informal cattle roundups has grown into one of Guyana’s most popular cultural events, this year themed “Wild and Bold, Rupununi Stories Unfold!” Beneath that theme lies a significant truth: the stories of this region are being rewritten, and they are indeed bold. The rodeo now attracts visitors from across Guyana and beyond. For the first time, the Ministry of Tourism has a seat on its planning committee, marking a new era of national support for what was once solely a local event.
Minister Browne’s remarks at the rodeo carry weight not just because of what she said, but also because of who she represents. As a member of a Cabinet charged with fostering inclusive development and as the minister for Amerindian communities throughout Guyana, her presence at the rodeo reminded everyone that the people of Region Nine are active participants in development.
They are partners in it. President Ali’s vision of “One Guyana” finds its most powerful expression here, where cattle ranchers, Indigenous communities, tourism entrepreneurs, and government ministers come together under the same sky, united by shared hopes.
The Rupununi’s growth also brings environmental and economic benefits to the nation. The South Rupununi’s remarkable biodiversity—including the rolling savannahs, Kanuku Mountains, and rivers of the Guiana Shield—is being positioned as a global example of sustainable development. Agro-processing initiatives such as the “Mango Madness” project and efforts to create a food and livestock processing hub linked to Brazil show that Region Nine isn’t waiting for oil wealth to find its way. It is forging its own diverse and sustainable economic identity.
The sleeping giant has awakened. If the energy at the Rupununi Ranchers Rodeo 2026 is any indication, the best of what this incredible region has to offer is not in the past, it is still unfolding, bold and wild, across the Rupununi horizon.
