A team of talented staff at the Leo Bradley Library this morning put off a humorous skit to portray the story nestled inside Mali Cayetano’s new book, Wanaragua.

It is no coincidence that this showcase of the Garifuna culture takes place at the start of the month of December, because it is also close to the time when the Garinagu go house-to-house to entertain with this traditional mask dance.

Wanaragua dancers wear elaborate headdresses with masks painted pink in an artistic and rhythmic dance which is said to represent a subtle mockery of the slave master.

Mali Cayetano produced her book around this hallmark Garifuna tradition. She did the artwork and design of the book, while her mother Ingrid and her brother, Ibo, authored the story.

A launch of her book was held at the Leo Bradley Library in Belize City Wednesday morning.

Mali’s father, Pen Cayetano, delivered remarks at the ceremony and did the drum roll as each of the other speakers took to the microphone. He also did the drumming for the dramatization done by the Children’s Committee of the library.

Meanwhile, Elda Woods and Sean Taegar, son of the late Leroy Taegar, read from the book.

The original artwork included in the book was showcased inside the library after the launch.

The event was held by the Belize National Library Service and Information System in collaboration with the Pen Cayetano Studio Gallery.