BBC’s Travel section recently published a fascinating, in-depth look at the Garifuna people who live in Belize and several other nearby countries in Central America. Uniquely among people of color brought to the New World during the colonial era, the Garifuna are the only culture which never suffered under the yoke of slavery, allowing them to successfully preserve ancient traditions of language, music, food, and dance.
The exact origins of the Garifuna people are a little unclear, but one thing is certain: at some point in the mid-17th century, a population of Africans made their way to the island of St. Vincent in the Caribbean and intermarried with local islanders. But by 1796, growing pressure to develop the slave trade led to armed clashes with the British. Outgunned, the Garifuna were forced to flee westward, originally to the Spanish-controlled island of Roatán off the coast of what is now Honduras.
But in 1821, a revolution in Honduras displaced the Garifuna once more. Using dugout canoes loaded with cassava, now a staple Garifuna food, they arrived on the beaches of Belize where they have remained ever since. Initially, however, the Garifuna struggled to find a place in colonial-era Belize (then known as British Honduras) between the formerly enslaved African population (known as the Creole today) and the administrators of European descent. But by 1941, the Garifuna’s presence had been established well enough that they were able to celebrate Garifuna Settlement Day, a holiday which re-enacts their dramatic beach landing.
Today, November 19 – Garifuna Settlement Day – is a national holiday celebrated by all segments of Belizean society. People wave white, yellow, and black Garifuna flags and celebrate Garifuna culture with traditional foods (including cassava bread and cow foot soup), dancing, and lots and lots of drumming. Towns and villages with a majority Garifuna population are transformed into a big street party complete with crafts, drinks, games, and oral recitations from Garifuna elders about the long history of their people.
If you’re coming to Belize, one of the best places to stay is the award-winning Chabil Mar Resort located on the Placencia Peninsula. Chabil Mar is close to Garifuna centers such as Seine Bight, Hopkins, and Dangriga and regularly organizes trips to these locations for visitors who want to learn more about the fascinating Garifuna culture. Chabil Mar also organizes adventure tours to all of the top destinations in the country.
