Garifuna Settlement Day – once a celebration observed only in Stann Creek Town (now Dangriga), has become a national celebration, and over the years the celebrations have grown from an event centered on the 19th of November, to several weeks of cultural festivities climaxing on that historic day marking the mass arrival of the Garinagu to Belize’s shores.
This morning the Belize City Branch of the National Garifuna Council (NGC) launched their calendar of events at the House of Culture in Belize City.
Belize City Branch treasurer, Trudy Joseph, told Amandala after the launch that this year’s calendar is packed with activities geared towards celebrating Garifuna culture, history and pride.
The first big event, she said, is the Miss Garifuna Pageant slated for 7:00 p.m. this Saturday, October 25, at the Bliss Institute for the Creative Arts in Belize City – and not the Holy Redeemer Parish Hall where it is traditionally held. Tickets are $15 general admission and $20 reserved (same price applies for children).
“We decided that we want to go a step higher than just the Holy Redeemer Parish Hall. Bliss is a great place for you to want to hold any great event that you want to have and we think this year, we have some excellent contestants and we want a lot of people to come out. So we give the comfort of the Bliss,” the NGC representative claimed.
“It’s not only for people who understand Garifuna, because everything that is said in Garifuna will be translated into English,” she added.
Six girls, ages 14 to 19, are competing this year: Shermaine Guivarra, Shanel Gamboa, Charyln Flowers, Kathleen Sabal, Brittany Williams, and Senaida Miranda.
The youngest contestant, Shanel, 14, is a student of Gwen Lizarraga High School. She told our newspaper that she is in the pageant simply for the competition, as well as to showcase her skill for beating the hudut, a Garifuna meal. She will also be entertaining with dances such as the punta and paranda.
Brittany said that she is inspired by the legacy that Andy Palacio has left for young people to emulate. A 17-year-old student of St. John’s Sixth Form (1st year), she told us that she entered the Miss Garifuna Belize City pageant to learn more about the culture and the language. The most exciting part of the experience is meeting people and learning to communicate with others in Garifuna, Brittany said.
Shermaine, 19, a BFLA social worker in Belmopan, shares similar sentiments:
“It’s really exciting because you can talk to each other in your language and learn how to do your dances.”
Apart from the cultural presentations, she will be paying tribute to Belize’s legendary parandero, Paul Nabor, who originates from her hometown, Punta Gorda. Shermaine said she plans to chronicle the life of Paul Nabor, a man she greatly respects and admires, from childhood to his elder years.
While culture will remain at the forefront of the minds of all contestants, some of them will also be speaking of social issues, such as education.
Kathleen Sabal, 15, a student of Wesley College hailing from the coastal village of Barranco, Toledo, said that she plans to outdo her mother and aunt, Lois Loredo and Lavern Loredo, former Miss Garifuna title holders, but she also wants to use the opportunity to speak of the importance of education, driving home the point that, “Education is better than gold and silver.”
Charyln Flowers, 18, who said she brings enthusiasm, spirit and joy to the contest, also plans to direct her message to the youth. Using props and a dramatized presentation, Charyln said she will talk about teenaged pregnancy and explain why education is the key to success.
“I am very happy and overwhelmed to be in this pageant, to speak my language, to do the dances, and to give a positive message in my speech,” she said.
The sixth contestant is Senaida Miranda, 19, a general studies student of Wesley Junior College and the daughter of pageant trainer Bridgett Miranda, who, Senaida said, motivated her to be a part of the 2008 pageant competition.
“I am giving a story about someone who was sick, who could not get cured, and turned their life to God. I will be singing and dancing to portray the culture,” she explained.
Trainer Bridget Miranda said that the pageant is open to any female ages 14 to 19, and not knowing Garifuna should not be an obstacle because none of the contestants knew the language when they came on board, she said.
“First of all they have to learn how to speak the language fluently, and do the dances, but we focus on speaking the language fluently. And they have to be graceful,” she explained.
Miranda is assisted by her friend, Judith Rubio.
“I am sure that they will be ready for Saturday. They have been practicing everyday for two months,” she informed.
From among the six contestants a successor will be chosen to take over the title from Deidra Gentle, last year’s winner.
Also on the calendar is the Umalali concert on November 7th and 8th, to be held at the Bliss at 7:00 on both nights.
On November 13th – the day observed in memory of Garifuna Settlement Day founder, T.V. Ramos – Garifuna Awareness Day will be observed.
“We really need people to understand that on this day, they should come out in their full Garifuna attire – be them full Garifuna, half Garifuna, quarter Garifuna, whatever they consider themselves. Just come out and represent as a part of the culture,” Joseph pleaded.
She told us there will also be drumming in front of the Angelus Press Limited on Queen Street at 3 p.m. that same day.
The organizers are having a Children’s Rally on the 14th, a food fest on the 15th at the Brodies parking lot, where Garifuna food, porridges, and drinks will be available. Cassava bread baking will actually be done onsite.
The celebrations pick up momentum on the 16th and the 17th with a Garifuna cultural fest, to take place at the Memorial Park.
“We have the New Rebels coming from Dangriga. You have Job, Sheldon. So drumming, everything. It will be so exciting. And of course, all night drumming on the 18th of November and the 19th – the reenactment, the Yurumein, the thanksgiving mass, official ceremonies, and all day jamming,” Joseph concluded.
This year’s celebrations are being held under the theme: Iúnrahówa meme hamá isanigu lidoun garifunaduáü lau pantaü: Continuing to proudly empower our children in their Garifuna language.
What is the Belize City Branch going to do to drive that theme home here in Belize City?
Joseph replied: “We make sure we do speeches in Garifuna, translated into English…. It’s like our president has said today. Sometimes the older people, they listen to the younger generation and then they laugh at them. They make mockery of the way they speak Garifuna. And that is something we are trying to speak to the elders about. Listen to how the younger people speak Garifuna and make corrections. Do it in such a way that they are comfortable with it. We are really to promote the actual speaking of the Garifuna language, because we do understand that definitely it is dying, but we want to bring it back.”