The mood was fervently festive in Dangriga over the weekend as Garinagu and friends from all over Belize and the world converged on the Culture Capital to experience the 65thcelebrations commemorating the mass arrival of the Garinagu to Belize in 1823.
As is tradition, the day began with the re-enactment of the arrival of the Garinagu, called Yurumein in Garifuna. As our ancestors did two centuries ago, men and women came in vessels laden with crops, baskets, drums, and other items representing the Garifuna cultural tradition. Carrying the yellow, white and black Garifuna flag, they traveled in three dories and motorized skiffs, making their way up the North Stann Creek River and disembarking near the Dangriga market.
The Garinagu participating in Yurumein drummed and danced, celebrating their arrival before a crowd of onlookers, some of them joining in the celebration and dance.
After several minutes of drumming along the riverbank, the crowd paraded their way to the Sacred Heart Church, where a traditional Mass was held.
Later that morning the Alejo Beni Park (named after the founder of Dangriga Town) was the venue of official Garifuna Settlement Day ceremonies.
Lino spoke of the tragedy-laden odyssey of the Garinagu across the Caribbean leading to their eventual settlement in Belize, where they established villages and other settlements, mostly along the coast.
The Garinagu were misrepresented as baby eaters and witch doctors, said Lino, adding that, “those negative opinions did not stop us then and certainly won’t stop us now.”
He said that while the Garinagu are included in the economically challenged groups of Belize, “we have to find innovative ways to support each other and improve ourselves as a people.”
He also advised attention on health and food security, and emphasized the need to take precautionary measures to curb the spread of AIDS in Garifuna communities.
“We need to stop accepting handouts from our politicians and our government and start accepting more responsibility for our community and from our leaders,” he said. “We need to stop accepting gifts from religious preachers and start requesting mental and spiritual liberation. Let’s team up and pool our knowledge, skills and resources. It may be more than what any Government can give us for free.”
Other dignitaries present at the ceremony were Garifuna spiritual leader, John Mariano; Senator E. Roy Cayetano; Mayor Frank “Pawpa” Mena and his family; Miss Belize World – Felicita Arzu, and Miss Garifuna 2006/2007 – Estelle Martinez, who received her crown from Estella Castillo, the outgoing queen.
The Dangriga Dance Company, which includes male and female performers, presented a cultural item on the Garifuna journey, as well as contemporary item on HIV/AIDS.
“What will happen a generation from now when our Garifuna youths don’t bother to speak their language?” she questioned. “It is happening already, and the NGC know that the task of language learning and retrieval will be the task of the next 25 years.”
Fitting in line with this agenda, representatives of the St. John’s College Junior College, Research Center, presented three volumes of an electronic Garifuna Dictionary to the council during official ceremonies.
Following the ceremonies there was a massive parade through the principal streets of Dangriga, from the park, circling around the Drums of My Fathers Roundabout, through St. Vincent Street over the main bridge, doubling back at the T.V. Ramos monument and culminating near the market square.
Later that evening Pen Cayetano, famous Garifuna punta rock pioneer, performed along with his reformulated Turtle Shell Band in front of Dangriga Cable Vision on St. Vincent Street.
The day’s events climaxed with Culture Sunday on Y-Not Island—an event that featured a host of Garifuna dancers, singers and poets who came together to celebrate the highlights of the Garifuna experience over centuries.