Today, November 19th, is the most important day in the Garifuna calendar –Garifuna Settlement Day– which celebrates the arrival of the first Garinagu to Dangriga in 1832.
The Garifuna first appeared in Central America in 1635, when escaped and shipwrecked slaves from Africa found refuge in Saint Vincent Island and mixed with the native Caribs who lived there.
They adopted the Carib language but kept many of their African traditions, like music and religion, even when they were against the demands of the island’s colonial masters. By 1797, cultural tensions between the British colonial masters –the British Crown– and the Garifuna was in an all time high, resulting in the punishment of the Garifuna by deporting them to Roatan Island, off Honduras.
Following this, the Garifuna started spreading throughout the Caribbean coast of Central America, establishing settlements in Guatemala, northern Honduras, and southern Belize.
The celebration done today by the Belizean Garifuna symbolizes the hardship and perseverance of their ancestors who migrated on dory (dug-out canoes) into Dangriga looking for a better way of living.
The reenactment is done by coming from the sea into the shore, by boats, singing ritual songs to the beat of the drums and waving palm fronds and banana leaves that symbolize the cassava that sustained their ancestors.
This ritual is rich in music and dance, and it is celebrated starting on November 18th at night, going all the way till the afternoon of the 19th – with the reenactment being the main ritual act, performed at sunrise. To help celebrate and sustain the Garifuna culture, this celebration is done in Dangrica, Punta Gorda and Hopkins.
Since 1943, November 19th has been a public holiday in the Stan Creek and Toledo districts, but it wasn’t until 1977 that this day became a national holiday.
Happy Garifuna Settlement Day!
This is fascinating. And the photos are really vivid. How did you take them from a height? Going to Bay Islands in two weeks, and hope to experience at least a little Garifuna culture.
Thanks Jeff! I was standing on a bridge over the river. Oh, you’ll find some good Garifuna culture in Roatan and on the coast of mainland Honduras, like the village of Tela.
This looks like a really interesting celebration!
It really is an interesting celebration, and a very active too since it goes for two days… non-stop!
What an amazing day to witness, Norbert!! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Lily! It was definitely an amazing (and exhausting) celebration!
How cool! And that last photo is awesome.
Oh yes, I love that last photo! Thanks!
Wow! Was this in/around Hopkins Village? I’ve been wanting to go there for over a decade now…
This one was performed in Dangriga, but they also celebrated it in Hopkins and other towns in Belize. I do recommend you to go to Hopkins… it still conserves much of its village quality.
Wow, I had never heard of the Garifuna, but I’ve always been intrigued about the Caribbean area and how diverse it truly is.
Oh, the Garifuna is a very interesting culture since it was developed by mixtures and political oppression. It’s great to see how they still carry their traditions and celebrate their roots.
Bad culture, nothing positive, no development or hardworking people. Lazy people and ugly town. Really don’t like!
Jhon, I will have to completely disagree with you. The Garinagu don’t have a bad culture, on the other hand, it is rich and full of oral history and artistic power. While they might not be the most developed, that doesn’t mean they are not hardworking. Some cultures like their way of living in a simpler style. I’m not sure what’s you’re reference for an ugly town… if you’re talking about Dangriga, sure, it will not win any “beautiful city” award, but I wouldn’t call it ugly either. It is just normal as many other cities in Central America. Sorry you didn’t like it, but I believe you’re just spitting fire with no reason.