Their society consists of different lowland forest peoples who have maintained much of their cultural identity with the exception of Christianity which was introduced to them in the late 1950s.

From 1933 to 1938, the Wai-Wai people moved deeper in Guyana's interior to avoid the outsiders working with the Boundary Commission.

However, the light, thin soil they have to work with and an annual rainfall of 4 meters can make it very challenging to produce enough food.

Consuming primate meat is a source of pride for Waiwai, distinguishing them as “‘true’ forest people” and making them distinct from most other indigenous groups in Guyana.

A village size is the indication of the level of political strength and riches, and thus heavily reliant on the women in the community.

The soul flight can serve several functions: Thus, a yaskomo is believed to be able to reach sky, earth, water, in short, every element.

[9] In 1949, many of the Wai-Wai people chose to migrate to Brazil following the heavy persecution, violent imprisonment and forceful extradition of Christian missionaries by the authoritarian government run by Forbes Burnham at the time.

The Wai-Wai people in the Konashen District of Guyana created the nation's first Community Owned Conservation Area (COCA).

The Wai-Wai people were given the formal title to this land in 2004, and has worked with Guyana's Environmental Protection Agency and the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs to develop COCA.

[14] The COCA community is open to visitors all over the world, and protecting the plants and animals are valuable to the Wai-Wai's everyday life.

The Wai-Wai people have said that the rainforest produces the air they breathe, keeps soil in place as not to clog waterways, provides foods (nuts, fruit, fresh fish), is a source for natural medicines, and many more.