The Garinagu people are known for their high spirit of celebration and friendliness. When the time comes to celebrating their national day of recognition, Garifuna Settlement Day, their singing, drumming and dancing starts a week early. In San Pedro, the Garinagu kicked off the celebrations as early as this past weekend.
On Monday, November 18, 2013, the San Pedro Branch of the National Garifuna Council, in collaboration with the San Pedro Town Council, Ministry of Tourism & Culture and The San Pedro Cultural Committee kicked off the Garifuna Settlement Celebrations on the island with a ceremony held at Central Park which included speeches by key Garifuna residents, invited guests and musical presentations and dances.
The celebration continued the next day, Tuesday, November 19, as the Garinagu reenacted the arrival of the Gariganu to Belize. They arrived at Central Park at midday and what followed was a short ceremony to start the day’s celebrations. People enjoyed live music, drumming, dancing and delicious Garifuna food.
The Garinagu of Belize celebrated this year under the theme “Let us progress in unity with God’s goodness and the protection of our ancestors’
Reenactment of the arrival of the Garinagu to Belize
Miss Garifuna San Pedro 2013, Tijane Martinez with Hon. Manuel Heredia, San Pedro Mayor Daniel Guerrero and mother Julia Martinez
