All night drumming, an early morning reenactment of their arrival and with their traditional food and all day music, the Garifuna celebrated the 19th of November at the Central Park. From early on Wednesday night, local residents flocked the Central Park for the evening Drumming Competition and various dance presentations. After a short ceremony with speeches, the Garifuna continued their celebration with all night drumming until dawn.
At break of dawn, they proceeded to the beach side where they boarded boats with palms in hand, for the reenactment of the arrival of the Garifuna to the shores of Belize. From afar, the sounds of drums and traditional songs in the Garifuna language broke the silence of the early morning. As the boats approached the shores, the music turned to one of happiness symbolizing their ancestor’s joy and triumph in finding new land. It’s a very symbolic event that proceeded with a traditional thanksgiving mass, traditionally considered, solemn and highly spiritual in the Garifuna culture.
The celebration continued during the day with a traditional food sale, drumming and dancing, as well as an, an all day beach party. It is an event that Belizeans look forward to as it is an opportunity to learn more about the Garifuna culture. Congrats to all those who joined the Garifuna in making the 19th of November celebrations a success.
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