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The origin of the Belizean Garinagu as a people really began in 1635 when two slave ships transporting African slaves shipwrecked near Becquia , St. Vincent . The intermarriage of these Africans with the native Island Caribs gave rise to the Black Caribs or Garinagu. The history of this Caribbean island has been marked by various skirmishes and rebellions involving its Afro-inhabitants , as well as the British and the French. Of these the most notable occurred in 1795 against the British , led by Paramount Black Carib Chief Joseph Chatoyer. This resulted in the death of Chatoyer and eventually the exile of 5,080 Garinagu to the island of Roatan, off the northern coast of Honduras. |
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By 1802 the first Garinagu had moved further northward where they established fishing villages along the southern coastline of Belize. Being considered notoriously rebellious in nature , the British rulers in Belize feared that they would upset the already delicate balance of the 3: 1 black to white ratio in the settlement .They sought ways and means to expel them but were more successful in sowing seeds of distrust and racial segregation between the Garinagu and African slaves and their later descendants , the Creoles.
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Despite all this , Garifuna culture has persisted and has made a significant influence in Belizean society particularly in music and dance. Garifuna music and language is a rich amalgamation of Amerindian, African, French, Spanish , English and Caribbean elements. Garifuna drums (primero and segunda) are key constituents of their music and dance , accompanied by sisera or gourd shakers (shaka) and the all-important gayusa (singers). Almost twenty Garifuna dances are currently in existence of which the ‘Punta’, ‘Paranda’ and ‘Punta Rock’ have gained much popularity and crossover appeal both nationally and internationally. |
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There is a wide variety of Garifuna dishes , including the more commonly known ereba (cassava bread) made from grated cassava or manioc. This is done in an ancient and time-consuming process involving a long, snake-like woven basket (ruguma) which strains the cassava of its juice. It is then dried overnight and later sieved through flat rounded baskets (hibise) to form flour that is baked into pancakes on a large iron griddle. Ereba is fondly eaten with fish, hudut( pounded plantains) or alone with gravy( lasusu).
Partially because of the relative social isolation of the immediate past, Garifuna culture and tradition has survived somewhat better than most other ethnic groups in Belize . |
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Moreover, in the last thirty years many contributions have been made to Belizean society particularly in the areas of education , the professions and creative arts. The last few decades have also witnessed greater integration and involvement in the socioeconomic and political fabric of the newly developing nation of Belize.
Our role in Cultural vibes and rhythms of Belize is to spark a renewed interest and appreciation for Belizean culture, and indeed it will be difficult to hear the compelling tempo of the Garifuna drums without wanting to move your feet or entire body to the musical rhythm. We guarantee that you will "catch the vibes" created by our more than enthusiastic drummers and gayusa, whose sounds and voices will continue reverberating in your soul long after your ship pulls anchor to set sail for home.
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