While most of the world is getting ready for the festive season, November 1st in Belize marks the start of celebrating the Garifuna culture. In 18 days, it will be the 221st year that the Garifuna settled in Belize.
But it's not just a one day celebration, as the National Garifuna Council has a month of activities planned. Today, the president emeritus told us some of the events that you can look forward to.
Sebastian Cayetano, President Emeritus, NGC
"The theme that the National Garifuna Council has selected says Wamúa, wanichigu luba amunegu: oundaruni hama nibureintian lun labagaridu Carifuna larigi bfan san irumu. And this mean our land, our culture, our future, involving our youths for Garifuna survival after 200 years in Belize. It is true indeed that we have been in Belize since 1802 and that will give us 221 years to be exact this year. However, 200 years for Dangriga, Dangriga was established 200 years ago by captain Alejo Beni, 19th November, 1823, he arrived in Belize."
"Today we had our launch but coming onto the 4th of November, we have our solidarity march in Punta Gorda at 10am. And then in the evening about 6:30/7 we'll have the Ms Garifuna pageant, and this is good for our girls."
"And then on the 11th of November we have the Battle of the Drums and that is good for our young men, to showcase them with their drums and with pride."
"On the 19th of November we will have the reenactment, Yurumein, that will leave in front of Golden Bay 5:00 in the morning to arrive at Belcan Bridge for 6:00, then 6:00 there will be a parade from Belcan Bridge all the way to St Martin De Porres Church where we're going to have a Thanksgiving mass beginning at 6:30am."
"To me it is so important because we are Belizeans and we have made our contribution, particularly in the field of education, we were the teachers of Belize, we taught north south east and west, I'm one of those teachers, I thought for 40+ years in our classrooms. And then we need to celebrate who we are especially as part of Belize, all Belizeans need to celebrate who they are in Belize and make it inclusive so that when the Mestizo celebrate, we celebrate, when the Maya celebrate, we celebrate with them and when the Garifuna and the Creole celebrate, we join together and celebrate."
