The Garífuna culture, numbering approximately 500,000 people, is found throughout the coastal regions of Belize, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and the Caribbean Islands.  The Garifuna are descendents of Kalinagu who were Guianas of South America. In the 11th century, the natives were killed and their women were taken for wives. Nigerian slaves escaped from a slave ship that had run aground near St. Vincent in 1675. These black people were assimilated into the native culture of the Caribs and their offspring were known as Black Caribs. (Garinagu Early History, 1997).

At this time, Spaniards were trying to colonize this region. They valued the islanders' knowledge of agriculture and wood working and wanted them to move into their colonized countries to improve the areas' agriculture. The Garifuna people went into Honduras, and then later, because of the political climate, migrated to Belize around 1893. This is celebrated as Garifuna Day or Settlers' Day.

The language, known as Garifuna or Garínagu (derived from Arawak & Carib languages) has helped to maintain an ethnic unity. Spanish and English are also spoken. Out of about 6.5 million people in Honduras, 97% are Roman Catholic. In Belize, approximately 7% are Garifuna and live in villages along the southern coast.

The British colonized Belize  in 1638, and the people won independence from them in 1981. (Gariganu, Early History, Garifuna World, 1997). Nicaragua has a mixed heritage of Carib, African and Indian descent. In the west, Mestizo, Spanish-speaking Roman Catholics, are mainly Garifuna. On the east coast of Nicaragua, many peoples speak English and are primarily Protestant. In Honduras and Belize, the Garinagu have "become a visible and politically aware minority and have achieved high governmental positions, and many are teachers." (Garifuna -World, 1997).

≈ Garifuna is a name for the people "of the cassava clan," Karifuna. Cassava is a plant harvested for its roots which is boiled, the strained pulp is dried into a white meal which is then sifted and used as a 'flour' to make bread. Some dishes are served as manioc cassava -boiled vegetable in areba flat bread. Other popular foods include rice, fish, bananas, plantains, beans, coconut milk, falmoa - a dish made with boiled vegetables - tubers, fish and coconut milk. Coffee, bush tea with sugar, cakes, puddings and tableta complete their meal. Tableta is a dessert made of coconut, ginger, and brown sugar.

Celebrations and ceremony are important in the Garifuna culture. The burial feast is known as "Beluria" and is a nine-day devotional ceremony to the Dead, which culminates in drumming, dancing and feasting. (Gonzalez, Levinson, 1998). Dugú is a ritual feast to appease the spirits after someone dies. The Dugú is a religious ceremony in which a high priest, the Buyei, leads the contact with deceased relatives. The purpose is to appeal to ancestors for help in resolving some family problem. The ancestral Spirit communicates with his people during an Owehani (Equivalent to the Pentecost). There are drummers, summoned by the Buyei and Gayusa (singers) and fishermen to gather seafood. Many days of preparation are need.  Rituals such as the Dugu have reinforced the cultural unity and spiritual beliefs of the Garinagu. When celebrated with the entire village, friends and relatives come together. (Garinagu Life in Central America, Garifuna World).

The people of Belize celebrate the settler's arrival on November 19,1823 with  a ritual re-enactment at Dangriga.  People come in canoes loaded with drums, utensils, cassava and banana saplings, as their ancestors did 167 years ago. Dances are a common form of expression in the Garifuna culture. The Paranda is a slow dance by women who shuffle in a circle accompanied with hand movements. Abaimahari is performed at the Dugú where women form a long line and link their little fingers and sing. Punta is a dance competition done by couples, which includes flirtatious movements. In Belize, " punta rock" originated and is popular along with the "cungo" a dance influenced by the West Indian reggae. (Garifuna History, Language and Culture, 1998) In the United States, the Garifuna people include the Walagante Dance group in Los Angeles. They perform many of the traditional dances known to their people.

The religion of the Garifuna is a combination of Catholicism, African and Indian beliefs. (Maya paradise) The rites of passage are celebrated: births, arrival of puberty, and death. These are traditionally celebrated by the community and include special music and songs. Work songs, hymns, lullabies, ballads and healing songs are popular. The African influence is heard with complex drum rhythms and call-response patterns in songs. Holy days of the Catholic Church include processions, prayer, music, street dances and costumes.

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