On Saturday November 3, 2018, National Garifuna Council held its annual Ms. Garifuna Belize Cultural Pageant at the Ecumenical Auditorium in Dangriga Town. This event followed the National Solidarity Mass held the same morning at the Sacred Heart Church.
Six young ladies vied for the title: Shenell Nunez-Ms. Garifuna Belize City, Edreena Lambey-Ms. Garifuna Belmopan; Latoya Castillo-Ms. Garifuna Hopkins; Royisha Mena-Ms. Garifuna Seine Bight; Fredleen Roches-Ms. Garifuna Peini; Taryn Nunez-Ms. Garifuna Dangriga. The contestants showcased their fluency of the language through their introduction and presentation which focused on an issue facing the Garifuna community or relevant to the theme for the November celebration.
They also performed the various cultural dances and displayed the traditional clothing. At the end of the night, Taryn Nunez was 2nd runner up, Latoya Castillo was 1st runner up and Edree
na Lambey emerged victorious as the new Ms. Garifuna Belize.
Various cultural activities are scheduled in the different communities throughout the month. The theme for the 2018 celebration is Lawanserun Garifunaduau….Hadasi Sun Garinagu (Garifuna Progress……A Task for All Garinagu).
Activities for San Pedro, Ambergris Caye:
Saturday, November 10, 2018 – Garifuna Fashion Show
Sunday, November 11, 2018 – Culture Sunday – traditional Garifuna food, drumming, and live entertainment starting at 1PM in the Central Park in downtown San Pedro.
Monday, November 12 – Friday, November, 16- Cultural Awareness Week – events include presentations at the various island schools.
Friday – November 16, 2018 – Garifuna Translation Competition – Lions Den
Sunday, November 18, 2018 – official celebrations to commemorate the 185th anniversary of the arrival of the Garinagu to Belize commencing at 8PM. Live cultural presentations, music and of course drumming all night long to bring in the 19th.
Monday, November 19 – Yurumein – reenactment of the arrival of the Garifuna to Belize, followed by a parade through the streets of San Pedro Town.
