Culture, History and Celebration – with the Garifuna People
Besides being the month when the tourism season opens, November is also synonymous with the Garifuna cultural celebration in Belize. Two significant elements of our country’s identity are its people and its diverse cultural composition. This month is dedicated to a very fascinating ethnic group found on the coast of southern Belize called the Garifuna. The Garinagu, who are the people of the Garifuna culture is also one of the five major ethnic groups of Belize. The people are descendants of Africans that were brought to the Caribbean during the middle passage for slavery; who interacting with Carib and Arawak Indian who came to their refuge after their boat capsized on the coast of St Vincent and the Grenadines around the 17th hundreds. These two groups eventually intermarried creating this unique group of people. Because they refused to return to their European oppressors and resisted slavery, they were eventually exiled off the island and were shipped across the Caribbean Sea to the coast of Central America. The first group of the Garifuna people arrived in Belize around 1802; immediately making tremendous impact on the country’s development.
The Garifuna is the first ethnic group in the history of Belize that celebrates a public and bank holiday on the 19th of November since 1977. Many cultural events are being held across the country during the month of November which then culminates on 19th when all roads lead to southern Belize where the celebration starts early in the morning with the reenact of the arrival of the Garifuna people to the shores of Belize. Thereafter, this amazing culture through its music, dance, food, language etc., comes alive and is put on full display.
If you are a culture fanatic and are in the country or visiting Belize this month, make your way to Dangriga, Hopkins, Siene Bight, Georgetown, Punta Gorda or Barranco all Garifuna communities in southern Belize, to experience the culture and traditions of the Garinagu people live and in living colors. The recommended time to visit would be 18th and 19th of November. In 2001 UNESCO proclaim the Garifuna culture and tradition as a Masterpiece of the Oral and intangible heritage of humanity. You are invited to come celebrate with us. The Garifuna is a proud and vibrant culture that is enshrined in the annals of the Belizeans identity.
