Thursday, July 10, 2025
Tag:

Garifuna

First Garifuna Settlement Day Fishing Tournament awards top teams

The long holiday weekend commemorating the arrival of the Garifuna people to Belize was celebrated with the first fishing tournament in its honor. Held on Sunday, November 19th, the over-the-water bar and grill Overseas hosted the fishing rodeo, attracting close to 20 teams. The long-day competition saw some of the best anglers rom the island, but only one team could take the grand prize home. At the end of the day, team The Navy, manned by Kristian Marin, Jailene Ancona, and Guillermo Nuñez, were the winners. They also took the top prize for the heaviest fish (Wahoo, 39lbs) and top angler.

Garifuna Settlement Day celebrated on the island

The Garifuna community of San Pedro, Ambergris Caye joined the national Garifuna Settlement Day celebration over the weekend with parades, an all-night concert, and the traditional Yurumein, which is the re-enactment of the arrival of the Garinagu people to Belize in 1832. The annual public and bank holiday, celebrated on November 19th, was observed this year under the theme ‘Wаmúа, wаnісhіgu lubá ámuñеgü: óundаrunі hаmа nіburеіntіаn lun lаbаgаrіdu Gаrіfunа – Оur lаnd, оur сulturе, оur futurе: involving our уоuth fоr Gаrіfunа ѕurvіvаl.”

San Pedro celebrates Children’s Day with educational and cultural presentations

On Friday, November 18th, schools across the island celebrated Children’s Day with games and educational activities. Some of these schools took advantage of the occasion and, throughout the week, invited several island professionals to make inspirational presentations and raise awareness of the need to protect the fragile natural ecosystems supporting islands like San Pedro, Ambergris Caye.

Activities announced for Garifuna Settlement Day in San Pedro

The island Garifuna community has prepared a program listing the celebrations regarding this year’s Garifuna Settlement Day. The activities started on Tuesday, November 15th, with drumming sessions at the central park and will span through the 19th, when the Garifuna Settlement Day, a public and bank holiday, will be observed across the country.

Ambergris Caye celebrates Garifuna Settlement Day

Every year on November 19th, Belize celebrates the Garifuna culture by honoring the arrival of the Garinagu people to Belize in 1802. This year, the Garifuna Settlement Day celebrations were again observed on the La Isla Bonita with traditional drumming, dancing, singing, and the re-enactment of the Garifuna’s arrival to the country performed at Central Park.

Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Meets with Maya Leadership

Shortly after the general elections in November, the new Briceño administration announced the creation of the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs to be led by Hon. Dolores Balderamos Garcia. The Indigenous peoples of Belize are comprised of the Kekchi, Mopan, Yucatec Maya and the Garifuna who all make up approximately 18% of the country’s population.

Isla Bonita Elementary School’s annual Cultural Day celebrates Belize’s diversity

On Friday, January 31st, the public was invited to Isla Bonita Elementary School (IBES) to partake in their Culture Day. Held every year, each level from Infant one to Standard six is assigned a cultural group to represent.

Isla Bonita Elementary School celebrates Cultural Day 2019

Throughout the day, students had the opportunity to showcase their knowledge on the country’s various ethnic groups to visitors.